Hello all. Well, hoped for a fast day today but then my lover made me a cheese omelet for breakfast. Oh well, maybe over the weekend. Loved the omelet.

Makica, you have the best hairdressers in that part of the world. I found an absolute wizard in Sarajevo who made my hair look so good I’d stop and look at my reflection in every store window on the way home. I’ve never been able to find anyone in Minnesota like that.

Milena, if you write that book (at our urging) and get Colin Firth to act in it you have to invite all of us to the premier.

Glad everyone is getting better. Good luck to today’s fasters.

MM

Hello, ladies!

Today I am turning 53 so I guess I’m officially mid-fifties!! Don’t really want to but that’s how it is, haha.

I’ve been hanging out on the Little Voices thread and it’s great but most people are losing three or so pounds a week while I’m thrilled to get one pound a month!! I do like how they start a monthly thread with numbers because it helps me stay accountable. Otherwise I’ll start fudging.

Anyway, I’m going to follow the advice to read the first few pages for tips, etc. I’m interested in the window eating. I’ve been doing a bit of that if I understand it correctly, and I think if I combine that with fasting during the week (weekends are still my free times), I will make a little more impressive progress.

In any event, I am actually happy with this WOL. I can sustain it and as long as I’m going in the right direction, I’m happy. In a year I should be in the healthy weight zone! And I’ve noticed I have a lag between what I do and putting on/taking off weight, so even though I went off the deep end for Thanksgiving Break (my son was home from college, it was my daughter’s birthday, etc), I have recovered with two fast days this week!!! I’m doing a third tomorrow and hope to start making progress again. In the past this would have been the beginning of another upward holiday trend.

So if it’s okay I’ll hang out here in addition to Little Voices? I see several kindred souls. I’m a cat person, obviously, but not too crazy, haha. We do have an ongoing cat saga at the moment I can share later. I’m a writer with one novel, a few stories and lots of miscellaneous non-fiction. I’m very interested in the meditation practices…

I was happy that I went on a “walk and talk” with my friend for my birthday rather than taking her up on her offer for lunch…..my family is going out tonight but I’m going to be mindful and pick a healthy place.

Good luck and healing vibes to all! Elizabeth in NC

Oh……..and a very Happy Birthday to you Elizabeth!

Hi Makica

let me get January out of the way – minor things like mortgage to earn – think the idea of the motor home for next year is out of the window, pity as I was thinking of touring Europe – all welcome if I can get Colin Firth (as if!) but if I manage Henry Cavill – no chance of sharing him!!!

Have you tried jelly cubes for your nails?

Elizabeth, most welcome – I am on little voices too! And a cat person – though all I have is my ghosts at the moment (bugger, scared her off already by showing her I actually am a crazy cat lady!!! heck, if she stays, then she is worthy of us!!! lol) and a writer too – I think you will do well here, though if they like my feeble efforts, a true wordsmtih will be ambrosia to their spirits!

Its snowing outside, the trees are beautifully decked with virgin snow and we are watching Jurassic World – in our house Christmas is films, Christmas day is whatever son has in his stocking, boxing day is, this year, all of the Hobbits, LOTR and – probably Pirates of the Caribean, probably Bourne too! So we are lounging on the settee in our jimjams, and there is a box of Christmas chocs open!!!!

Though by January, I’ll wish we did long walks, zero chocs and wine and one slice of turkey!!!

Nah!!!

Milena Henry is taken. I took him but as a good sister you will get him to play the part. But that is that.

Kidding, too much bulging muscle for my liking.

I have no clue wha that jelly cubes are. So my answer wold be nope, didn’t try them.

The snow and the settee sound lovely. I think the same movies are on TV all over the world now.

January it is for you in many ways. So the fast starts on the 3rd and we can see the manuscript on the…??? Give us something to look forward to.

Good night ladies.

Have a wonderful evening and dream sweet dreams.

Love m

Oh Cinque, nothing like the sound of a cat yaking early in the morning… Ugh!
Luckily, my cat almost never gets sick, so I don’t have to deal with it often. Yes, your day can only get better.

I’m happy with the girl who does my hair too. Especially since she hands me a glass of wine when I walk in!

Dinner is over and I’m under my warm, fuzzy blanket where I’ll be until bed time. Exciting, right? 😉

See you tomorrow!

excuse me Makica – we could be heading for a fall out – only one thing can decide this and sister’s should never ever fall out – the elder sister gets him!!!!

Right then, who is the elder – I think I am being very fair as I do not know the answer to this.

But he’s Irish!!!!! My bottom lip is trembling ……..

How about – me Henry, you Aidan – then we swop!

Only pleased Viggo hasn’t been mentioned – I’m keeping him hidden!!!!

Everyone, of course we are only thinking of these men as mentors and inspiration to lose weight – of course we are!

Hi Lori

a squirt of evening primrose oil down your cats throat or put onto food might help hairballs (if you feed cats tinned tuna, get olive oil, same reason), if that is the reason for the chucking up, added bonus is it gives a lovely shine to the coat – and every couple of days, wet your hands throughly and stroke the cat, pulling at the hairs VERY gently – wet your hands a few times if the cat lets you continue, you’ll get tons of hairs off, then finish with a chamois leather. Your cat will be breathtakingly gorgeous!

If its not cat hair, then look at the positive, cats plumbing works to chuck iffy things out of the mouth most of the time rather than the other end, and I always think putting your bare feet in chuck up in the middle of the night, even if you think you have stood on a wet rat, is far far better than the alternative. Of course, if its just food, and the cat has just eaten to quickly, always decide to sort it later, and it will all just be eaten again, isn’t that wonderful?

Maybe I should written that in another order – then the last impression would have been of a gorgeous cat????

Nah – they are gross creatures!!

I am fine with Benedict to. My life long wish was always to become a Cunberbitch. Don’t know how I would live with out it. 😉

My dear Salma the best vintage is 1960.

And just to add my parents moved back in 2003 from Australia. It has been a challenge. But they did move in with us. We have a huge place and they did have a big part for themselves but it was a challenge to adapt to a new situation. Mine were quit trying. As they lived alone more of their life without me, on their own so coming into a family with 4 kids, dogs, housekeeper… my mother has passed but my dad is still a bit of a challenge.

I hope all goes smooth and good for you.

I am like you. Love my solitude. My hubby is going to a Christmas cocktail to the capital in about 2 hours. Can’t wait to be alone for a little while.

And Lori I am appalled at all atrocities all over the world. Sometimes I don’t comment as I have gone cold turkey on all news, specially bad after my first cancer operation. It is a kind of coping mechanism so please don’t think that I don’t empathize. On the contrary. May all the souls of the children, women and men that died yesterday and every day by another human being, intent on harming them, rest in peace.

I think the main pollution we should be fighting at this moment in history is hatred.

So lets spread love and understanding and forgive and star all over again.

m

Dear Salma what can I say. Your mother sounds just like my late mother. Her dementia started pretty early when she was 73-74. It was a slow slide down the path to another person I didn’t understand at first. The kindest women who shared everything with everybody, generous completely turned into a “it’s all about me” person. So the first thing you need to do si take her to the doctor. Medicine has gone far since a decade ago when my mother was at the early stages. And one more thing for you to know is a move at that age is a stress as big as loosing somebody dear. They take it very hard. If you are their only support system as I was (only child) then you are in for a ride you need to be ready for.

Living 30 years apart means you are totally different people to begin with. And in their mind you are still a child that needs to obey. No matter how liberal and non strict parents they were. You are frozen in their minds, and they in yours at a certain stage in life. Not easy to unfreeze. I had a few sessions with a psychiatrist dealing in old age to understand the dynamic with my parents.

My father was a big famous soccer coach, international known. A living legend. Still is. The worst for him as a classical alpha mail was that he was not in charge of everything. I could write essays on him and our struggle to clear up who makes the decisions in this home.

They too came from a nice quiet place on this planet to a crazy, loud and no too tidy Serbia. I had a huge challenge to readapt the last time I came back from the US after just one academic year. So arm yourself with tons of patience and understanding for what they are getting through.

And you are right. It never ends. We are somehow appointed to be the caretakers and caregivers. Not easy. Here for you when ever you need somebody to listen and you to vent.

To be on topic of this forum and thread I am so hungry. My window opens in 20 min. Not even sure what I am going to eat.

Love m

Oh what I would give for an open window in 20 or 40 minutes! I’m staring at 4 hours! I’m may be “cheating” with some coconut oil again this morning.

Yes, I try to go with the flow when BIL is here. He is the husband’s only sibling and it is important for them to be together. I do my best to make everything smooth sailing when he is here. He really tries not to be intrusive(that wasn’t always the case), but just his nocturnal habits really throw things into a whirl. They stayed out of my way this morning for the most part and I made it to boot camp in plenty of time.

Now sitting in my office with a cup of coffee and waiting for the paperwork of the day to hit my inbox. Whatever the outside crews did yesterday is what I have to deal with today. I work for an electric utility, did I ever mention that? Anyway….

I, too, know the problems of aging parents. My Mother went down the dementia road and my MIL had lung cancer and lived with us until the end. Funny when your parents pass away, it pushes you right up to the front of the line, know what I mean? :-O

Have healing and peaceful days, my friends.

Makica…thanks for keeping me on the straight and narrow and making me own up to my cheating! I’m so, so weak. ((Hugs))

Salma is this one of Milena’s rules? Coconut oil not counting as food??? Now if you said that about hot chocolate as it is liquid…. I could agree. But we should analyse this more… Window up, window down… 😉

I didn’t mean to scold you Lori. No way. But we here in this part of the world have a bad habit of calling things by their real name. So sorry if I made anybody feel bad. 🙁

I need emoticons happy happy happy 😀 😀 😀

Hi Cinque

me too!!! 59 on the 22nd of this Month – looks like its up to me and you to keep these babies in hand!!

Makica, more I know about you, more I like you, baby sister!!!

Audrey, love to your mum, coming over sometime in the New Year, we need her to get well before I descend upon you both – we need her on top form!!! Plenty of time, so take it steady Audrey’s mum!!!

I think I should revamp THE RULES!!!! I have coconut oil most mornings, do the teeth pulling thing with it – and my hair sometimes – and I use it as a moisturiser – wouldn’t like to swallow it though! But coconut oil is supposedly so good for us it deserves a special dispensation.

(Hiding from Makica now!!!!!!!!)

And Lori my hat down for all the true loving kindness you are giving your husband. What true devotion.

I am not as a nice person as you are. Hate when my daily routine is disrupted by anybody. Sigh must be old age hahahah but no really. We work and then come home and do some more work and then somebody comes into our lies and we somehow think we are obliges to do some more work for them too. Sheez I just want to sit down into my spaceship armchair that just arrived and chill out.

As most of you I have a bad back from all the sitting at work and the sports I did as an teen and adolescent. So I decided that change is what I need apart from Pilates and Yoga I needed to strengthen my spine and relax it in the right way outside the gym. So I bought a Spinals chair http://www.spinalis.be/SPINALIS/_images/Hacker_all.jpg for work (our of my own pocket) that looks very professional but is like sitting on a Pilates ball. It does wonders for your lower back muscles that are working out all the time. Then I got a Varydesk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKrVByT6pq8 so I can stand for at least half the time in the office. But then when I came home I had these wonderful soft armchairs that would almost hug and cuddle you which is a nono for the back. So then I found ReVive Natuzzi armchairs https://www.google.rs/search?q=revive+natuzzi&client=safari&channel=mac_bm&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiHpZ78n8TJAhWB7xQKHebjDgwQsAQIJQ&biw=1280&bih=739 that recline to the perfect 136 degrees and are considered zero gravity for the spine. We have to wait for them to be delivered from Italy for more than 3 months and that are here.

All of this cost me a little fortune but this is the space I spend more than 15-16 hours a day. I really don’t have to have leather seats in my car where I seat my tush for a much shorter time than in my house or work. And the ReVive are not leather just the same price as they would be for the car. I read i a smart book on irrationality what you consider a good investment and that somehow you spend the least on your closest environment as in beds and what you sit in. Well I suppose there comes an age when it becomes important that pasts of you don’t hurt if you can help it.

Totally ranting and off topic. I opened my window very early today as I got up early. I was hungry and had some acid reflux going on from the moment I opened my eyes. Need to see someone about it. Can’t seem to find a natural remedy.

This is me signing of for the morning.

See you all later.

Have a wonderful weekend.

m

Milena I see there are terrible storms over there. Are you OK?

Hi Cinque

still coughing ad hiding under the duvet, weather is so awful not missing going anywhere, though I do feel tied to the laptop at the moment!

Hi Salma

is it me? I love shopping but rarely get the chance – well do spend half my life shopping for jewellery so not too bad, I suppose, we are deciding whether or not to go to Copenhagen in January, we have the tickets but it may not be a good business option to go, apparently – ha! OH is deciding, I’m packing!!!!

Hi little sis Makica!

FA (foodies anonymous – Salma started this site for us) dictates that, whilst indeed coconut oil is calorie laden, and fattening etc etc etc – once its down, not use feeling the guilt, it MUST be enjoyed! Personally, give me chocolate anytime – with you there Salma. Its not the transgression, its the feeling of guilt I have a problem with, I am perfectly happy to send hair shirts to anyone who wants to feel guilty, but it ain’t gonna change things!

If I haven’t done it already, I think I will have a rule that GODIVA chocolates can be eaten anytime!!!

Of course, the ferryman MUST be paid, so I am about to make up for eating chocolates yesterday and today (OH brought them out!!!!, together with the coconut cookies and the pain au chocolat – eek!!!!!!!) by doing THREE liquid fasts next week.

So I hope you choc eaters and coconut imbibers – having had the HUGE benefits of your goodies – must now decide what you are going to do to make up for it!!!!

I know Paretos law takes a bit of getting your head around but everything in life meets this law!!!

Good luck with those last boxes Salma, won’t it be lovely when they are done!

Milena that dreaded lurgy is taking its time! I so hope it is gone soon, it must be so wearing.

I’m one who likes shopping – when I am in the mood!

I do love Sunday Fasting! It is bliss to do it on a day when I have nothing else on. I can just cruise.
Miso soup is the first thing I eat, usually about 1pm. Usually with chicken: and the chicken is my preference, but tofu was ok.
I have now had my evening soup: much heartier, with pumpkin and lentils and tomato, and even a bit of kabanos.

No chocolate for me, but luckily I can remember its wonderful taste!

It is 9pm here so the day is pretty well done… but the cat hasn’t come in yet! She does love a warm night, so she might be wicked and stay out.
I hope the young birds stay safe.

Cinque you sound like your overdoing it too! Only Milena and I are responsible and are hiding under the duvet.

😉