| Archive for The Magic Bus Trip Never get off the Bus! |
| CarolAnn |
Carol Ann's Magical JourneyWell, I have started a journal. About a month ago I noticed that of the fifty pounds I had lost two years ago on a low-carb diet, eleven had been 'rediscovered'. (I think one went to my abdomen, and ten attached themselves to my ass!)Anyway, I have been 'seriously' back on track for about a month, and I have successfully taken off ten of the eleven. I have been taking extra virgin organic coconut oil every day, upped my green tea intake, and added L-carnitine to my supplements. Maybe this is my magic formula, who knows? I don't exercise regularly, but I'm thinking about it. Now if I can get my body to agree with my mind. . .that is a tough one. . . I am weighing every day now, as I have made peace with the scales. I had given up weighing when I packed those pounds back on. I hopped on the scales (Okay, not quite 'hopped'. . .  ) this morning and I am down to 147 from 157. (Two years ago I was 197 at 5'1".)
I am keeping my carbs around 20-30 per day. I am a big diet soda addict, my favorite being the new Pepsi Jazz Strawberries and Cream. I will try to post in my journal every day and be as painfully honest as possible. I'm happy to be here and look forward to getting to know y'all! (Pardon the Tennessee slang!) I have read some very interesting things on this forum. . .very interesting. . . 
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| jeff |
Oh yes, this place is interesting, if nothing else.  Glad you started a journal. Enjoy the bus trip!
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| Dean |
Carol Ann,
So glad that you joined us all on the bus! 
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| CarolAnn |
Thanks so much! I'm ready for the ride!
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| Alisa |
Hi CarolAnn, I'm so glad you started a journal! Being painfully honest, is, well, painful... but so worth it!
I really love exercise. I never thought I would, but I do. And I'm going to give you the regular, corny advice of, "Find something you like and do it."  It's really true. Some people like swimming, others running, others hiking. For me, lifting is fun! I love it. Just take your time and try new things. You don't have to start an exercise "plan," just get your feet wet and experiment.
I too love diet sodas, although I try to limit them. I don't have exact symptoms, but I don't know that I should be ingesting aspartame. But I haven't tried the stawberries and cream yet. Sounds tasty, though. You're doing great so far! Just keep it up!
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| Karen |
Hi Carol Ann,
Looks like your on the right path..your doing good! that soda sounds yummy..never heard of it. I am not a big soda drinker though but i do enjoy one once in awhile! i find that being painfully honest in my journal keeps me on track more often..Dean taught me that!! So tell us the good the bad and the ugly!! karen 
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| CarolAnn |
Today I did very well having only 23 grams of carbs. I pulled an 11-hour day today at work. That sucked. I am tired. No exercise for me tonight. The bed is calling. I'm alone tonight so I can spread out all over it. I think I hear it calling my name. . .
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| Susanne |
Have you tried the Pepsi Jazz? Diet Vanilla-Black Cherry is to DIE for! I don't drink much diet pop either, but that flavor was GOOD. Is the strawberries and cream also a 'Jazz' flavor? If it is, I'm going out to look for it.
And, welcome, CarolAnn!!!!!!!!!! |
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| CarolAnn |
Yes, the Strawberries and Cream is Pepsi Jazz, also. I like it better than the Black Cherry/French Vanilla. It flies off the shelves here. I buy six or seven two-lliters at a time so I'll be sure and have it. It is heavenly!
Some people claim that diet sodas stall their weight loss, but they don't bother me. In fact, I don't think I could have made it this far without them!
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| Jessica |
Can't wait to try the pepsi jazz!  I have to finish my diet dr pepper berries & cream (which is awesome btw). :)
Jessica |
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| Susanne |
Well, damn...went to the store tonight...no strawberries and cream Jazz...so I settled for a black cherry/vanilla one. I will persevere to find this flavor...
So, how was your day?
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| CarolAnn |
My day went well. I had 23 grams of carbs all day, but I could tell my hunger was up a little from not sleeping well. I had to go in to work at 5:00 in the morning two days straight. (I usually go in at 7:00.) Eleven hour workdays are killers. When I don't get enough sleep, I get more of an appetite. I still did okay.
Well, it is off ot work again. I don't have to be at work this morning until 7:00, thank goodness. I will check back in this evening!
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| Alisa |
You're doing really well, CarolAnn! 11 hour workdays suck. It's very cool you're sticking to plan while pulling them. It's so easy to stress eat when you're overworked. I totally agree with you about the appetite.
BTW, what does a day in your average diet look like? I'm always curious about these things, LOL. You're doing great, girl, just keep it up!
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| CarolAnn |
Thanks for the kind words, Alisa!  When I tell you my typical menu for the day, don't be too shocked. If you are what you eat, I guess I'm one big chemical.  I eat a lot of 'convenience' foods. I don't cook a lot as cooking for myself seems a waste of time. Okay, here goes:
Breakfast: 2 eggs w/cheese and salsa 1 tsp. extra virgin organic coconut oil or: 1 cup Hood Carb/Calorie Countdown Chocolate Milk Coconut Oil Lunch: Turkey Breast slices Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese, 1/2 oz. Sugar-Free Sweet Pickles or: Atkins Bar Dinner: Any type of meat, usually Tyson Roasted Chicken, Shrimp, Turkey Burgers, or Ground Beef Patties - as much as I need to feel satisfied. Sugar-free Jello I choose three snacks per day: Low-carb Ice Cream Bar Stallone High Protein Pudding Quaker Q-Smart Bar Boiled egg Hard Cheese I take a LOT of supplements and vitamins. I don't eat a lot of veggies unless I make a low carb pizza. I guzzle diet sodas and bottled green tea. See? I told you I'm one big walking chemical. On weekends I do better, because I have more time to devote to choosing and preparing foods.
I did very well today, also. The scales are still stuck at 147, but I am expecting maybe a little gain in the morning. I had more sodium than usual today, so I'm a little puffy. I have only had eight carbs today and the eating is over. Well, I have to pull another 11-hour day tomorrow, so I am going to TRY to get some extra sleep tonight. Catch y'all tomorrow! |
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| jeff |
Carol Ann, I dont't think that sounds all that bad. You've obvioulsly had success with it. BTW, nice to meet you. I'm jeff. I don't think we've met yet. Enjoy the Bus Trip....it will be interesting, if nothing else.
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| CarolAnn |
Howdy, Jeff! I have read some VERY interesting things you've posted. I'm looking forward to getting to know you!!! You are a very colorful character to say the least! Looks to me like you have done quite well yourself! What a looker!!! 
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| jeff |
Carol Ann, thanks for the compliments. I do like to have fun. No doubt about that. I have done pretty well, I guess. Hard work and dedication does pay off. I'm sure we'll become good friends. You seem to fit in here pretty well. | ||||
| CarolAnn |
Well, I have done pretty well lately. I have had 4 grams of carbs so far. I may have about three more before bedtime. I took a Tbsp of coconut oil this morning instead of a teaspoon, and I didn't eat anything for breakfast. (It was about 3:00 a.m. this morning; too early!) I believe that has helped me somehow today with my appetite. I also took a nap when I got home at 3:00 this afternoon. 
The scales were still stuck at 147 lbs this morning, but as long as it doesn't go up, I can deal with that. My clothes are much looser, and I look visibly thinner. I like it!!! 
I'm still trying to get motivated to exercise, but if I wait for motivation I'll never do it! Well, I am going to rest a while now. Killer week! 
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| Alisa |
I feel the same way. Glad you made it here!
Sorry you had a hard week. I had one of those last week. It was awful! But I made it. Do you have the weekend off? Very cool on looking visibly thinner. I've noticed that sometimes I'll lose inches, sometimes I lose weight. Did you take measurements? Even if you haven't thus far, you can do it now. It'll give you a better springboard than the scale alone. It's fun too, because you can ignore the one that isn't being nice!
I think your diet looks really good, actually, btw. Nothing too chemically. I haven't had an Atkins bar in years. Did they improve them at all? I remember them being less than pleasant, but I do like the shakes. Hope you have a great weekend! |
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| Suzanne |
Oh, my. I just realized I hadn't spoke to you. Where are my manners. Welcome to the journals.  And I'm not to up on exercising myself, unless it's with a male partner. We call that ESC, extra special cardio.
But come Monday, I'll start back. Wanna join me? At, er, regular exercise that is.
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| CarolAnn |
I think they are better now, Alisa. Of course, I'm not talking about the bigger bars. I never liked them, except for the S'mores bars, and they are to die for! I usually have a Caramel Fudge Brownie Bar. They have no sugar alcohols, and they are so good that you have no idea they are legal while you are eating them. (I don't avoid all sugar alcohols, but if I have too many. . .well. . .you get the picture! )
I guess my foods are okay. I wish I could eat more meat, cheese, and eggs, but when you are trying to lug food to work, it's irritating. This is more convenient for me. BTW, I just wanted to tell you that you are so pretty! Thanks for being so nice to me. Everyone has been really nice. I think I have found my wings. . .er. . .wheels!
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| CarolAnn |
Thanks, Suzanne! I've read a lot of your posts, and I must say, I like the way you think!
I love that! I'm not getting much of that, either. My b/f is too preoccupied to worry with that.  So I guess I'd better hit the treadmill if I want any exercise!!!
BTW, I LOVE your signature on your posts. I could learn a thing or two from you!
I think I'll try to start on the treadmill this Monday; if I don't ease my way into it, I definitely will give up! It is very good to meet you!!! 
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| CarolAnn |
It is Saturday morning, and I am looking forward to a three-day weekend! 
I had a good boost this morning! I hopped on the scales and guess what? I weigh 144 lbs! I've lost three more pounds!  I'm so excited, but I'm trying to not go over the top with my enthusiasm. Weight on a scale can be lots of things, but I went all week with no loss, no gain. That would put me at losing 13 pounds in approximately 6 weeks. I feel good! 
I started today out with more coconut oil. I'm beginning to be a believer in the stuff. It seems to really keep my appetite reined in. Well, I will check back in this evening and post how I'm doing. I hope everyone has a great day/weekend!!! |
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| Alisa |
I'm so glad you're getting a break finally!
144... 
You must be feeling great!!! I know what you mean about trying to bring crap to work. Do you have access to a refrigerator? If you do, that opens up some options. Some things that could work either way would be HB eggs, chicken wings, pepperoni slices, that sort of stuff... I've never made it, but there's also pemmican. Thank you so much for the compliments!  I was so terrified to post my pics at first, but I got over it. The rest is history!
I feel like I've known you for a while, it's weird. I'm so glad you came here! 
Have a great weekend as well!
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| Heather |
Congrats on the 3 lb difference! Those drops are always a pleasant surprise.
And yeah I was absolutely terrified to post pictures. Who the heck would want to look at me?
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| CarolAnn |
I was thinking the same thing about you, Alisa! And yes, it is weird, isn't it! I'm glad I came here, too! It is very nice to be a part of this 'family'!
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| CarolAnn |
I don't know what you are seeing when you look at a mirror or a picture of yourself, Heather, but it isn't what I and a whole lot of others are seeing! You are a beautiful girl! Don't be so down on yourself. From reading your posts, you are a very nurturing, caring person, so I think you are beautiful inside and out!!! And that is the most beautiful anyone can ever be in my book!
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| Shawn |
Thanks for posting in my journal.
Are you having a nice long weekend? They go by so fast.....
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| CarolAnn |
You are very welcome, Shawn! And yes, I love three-day weekends. You are so right. . .they fly by! I have to be at work in the morning at 5:00 a.m. We usually go in at 7:00, but because of poor management, we have been pulling lots of overtime lately.  The sad fact is that if we miss one minute of work tomorrow (tardy or leave early), we don't get our nine hours of holiday pay for today. 
Are you having a good Labor Day weekend? |
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| CarolAnn |
Sorry I haven't posted in my journal for the past couple of days. I've been lazy!
Diet has been good. I'm still under 25-30 carb grams per day. I got on the scales yesterday morning and had gained a pound overnight even though I had been very good!  I know it is probably fluid or something, so I'm not freaking out just yet. Besides, this morning I was the same as yesterday morning, 145 lbs. That means that in the past 5 or 6 weeks, I have taken off twelve pounds. That is a pound more than I had gained this last time! I have made peace with the scales. . .finally!
One thing I'm noticing is that I am not sleeping well at all. I will sleep two or three hours then I'm wide awake for a couple of hours more . Then I will go back to bed and sleep two or three hours more. Maybe I'm in some heavy ketosis or something. Weird.
Last night on my Aussie Forum, they informed us that Steve Irwin was killed filming a documentary. I use to watch Crocodile Hunter all the time. I really liked him. I'm so sorry for his wife and children. Well, I'm on my last day off work, so I'm going to go enjoy it! I'll check in tonight!!!
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| jeff |
Want to know how to make those three day weekends seem to last longer??? Work every damn day of it, like me!
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| CarolAnn |
I washed my car and cleaned it out. . .in the rain! (I'm not the sharpest tack in the box!) Does that count as work? It sure as hell felt like it. . .I'm not as young and limber as I used to be. But at least it kept me from eating. I haven't had a morsel all day. . .but all that is about to change. . .heading for the kitchen now!
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| CarolAnn |
Yesterday I ended up taking in 13 grams of carbs. I wasn't hungry. I have to be at work again today at 5:00 a.m. Those will be a long 11-hours. I only got 2 and 1/2 hours of sleep last night. I'm having some real trouble with my sleep patterns now. Oh well, I will be so tired tonight, I should konk out really easy.
Scales are still saying 145 this morning. Good deal. I'll check in later tonight or in the morning. Signed, Sleep Deprived in TN
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| Suzanne |
I hate insomnia. Thankfully, I don't get it often. Do you know what's causing yours? Are you taking anything for it? Maybe you need lot's of ESC to wear you out!
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| Jessica |
CarolAnn, have you tried taking Melatonin? I was having insomnia awhile back and took 2 tablets soon before when I wanted to go to bed... it helped IMMENSELY!!!
Hope you sleep well soon, Jessica |
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| CarolAnn |
I'm looking for a half-way willing victim!
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| CarolAnn |
Thanks, Jessica. I haven't tried the Melatonin, but I will.
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| CarolAnn |
I went out to eat last night with a 'friend'. Yes, I was totally off the plan. I had half of a baked sweet potato with caramel sauce and marshmallows, portabello chicken, and a small amount of green beans. . .and a big, fat hot roll.  Boy, did I pay for it this morning on the scales. I gained three pounds overnight, probably the most of it water. That puts me back to 148 lbs. I WILL get them back off.
I have been back on track today. I have had 17 grams of carbs today, and I am through eating for the night. I have to be at work by five in the morning but I'm out of there at 11:00 a.m.
Well, I'm off to bed. I'll check in tomorrow. |
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| Alisa |
The weight is ONLY water! Congrats on getting back on plan so quickly. I think that's the worst part of cheating, is that it snowballs into days or weeks.
6 hour work day, huh? Nice! Especially compared to the 11 hour shifts you were pulling. I agree with Jessica; try melatonin. It doesn't seem to be as "harsh" as a sleeping pill, but it works just the same. Just make sure you have enough time to actually sleep, or else you wake up feeling sort of drunk (and not in the fun way.)
Glad you're doing okay!
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| jeff |
CarolAnn, did you ever make it wine-shopping last weekend? | ||||
| CarolAnn |
Nope, sorry to report that I didn't, jeff. My lazy-ass boyfriend wanted to sit home all weekend and look at the walls. (I'd been promised a cook out and a day of nice nature scenery. Ha!) I plan on it this weekend. If he doesn't want to go, I'm a big girl. I know where the bottle shop is. I'm gonna try the New Zealand wine you recommended first. Thanks for the info!
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| jeff |
Great! Good luck with the wine hunting. 
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| CarolAnn |
Wine hunting. . .hmmm. . .I've found a new sport I can enjoy!!!
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| jeff |
Let me add, don't let a screwcap scare you away. They are becoming more common, even in better quality wines. I mention this because I seem to recall seeing a couple of New Zealand sauvignon blancs with screw caps. Happy Hunting!!!
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| kateryna |
Hey welcome CarolAnn. Sorry I'm late greeting you but I'm exhausted and working late every night. Glad to see you here. Welcome to the bus 
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| CarolAnn |
I can relate to exhaustion. Hopefully I'll get some much-needed rest this weekend. Thanks for the welcome, Kateryna! Glad to be aboard!
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| CarolAnn |
My b/f always goes on about how cheap a screwcap is. Please! If it tastes good to me, I really don't care who thinks it is cheap or who doesn't. If it has a good alcohol content and has a good flavor, bring it on! Thanks again, jeff. I'm grabbing my trusty debit card and heading out in search of the elusive 'bottle of wine'.
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| CarolAnn |
Today went well eating-wise. I have had 11 grams of carbs; I haven't eaten a lot today, but my appetite has dwindled for some reason. Hey Suzanne, I finally got some ESC in last night. I guess I overdid it. I'm beat today!
I didn't weigh this morning as I wasn't home to do it. I will weigh in the morning. I hope I've lost the water. Catch y'all tomorrow!
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| kateryna |
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| CarolAnn |
Thanks, Kateryna. I'm pretty proud of myself! Worked off some tension and stress. It was one of my more 'intense' workouts. I'm good to go now. . .for a couple of days!
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| jeff |
This use to be the case, but not anymore. There are some very good wines with screwcaps. Actually, a screwcap is the best way to seal a bottle of wine. And, it's fun to say. "Screwcap"
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| CarolAnn |
Come to think of it, it is fun to say!
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| CarolAnn |
I weighed this morning. I am back down to 146, thank goodness. I think the eating out the other night really did me in for a few days.
I'm venting here as I did on the other forum. I am thinking of moving into my own apartment when I can get the money. I left my husband in January of 2005, moved in with a girl from work, and two months later moved in with my b/f. That's too quick, but I had nowhere else to go. The problem is that my engineer boyfriend's last girlfriend took him for a ride with credit cards and loans and he is up sh**creek now. I have paid his $600.00 land taxes, gave him a loan for $100.00 four weeks ago (which he hasn't given back), and now he is pressuring me to get a credit card in my name and give it to him. He wants me to co-sign a re-fi on his house. And he wants me to take out a personal loan for him. I pay half the untilities, and I buy all the fabric softener, laundry detergent, toilet tissue, and paper towels, plus a little bit of his groceries. My bank account is very low right now. All this without a marriage proposal. He says he doesn't believe in the institution of marriage. On top of that, he makes me feel very unattractive. He never touches me or really looks at me. After a year and a half, he had to ask me yesterday what color my eyes are so he could take the red-eye out of a picture of me. Good grief. And sex. . .don't make me laugh. Isn't happening. He is never in the mood. I'm confused and angry and rejected. . .I can't even move out, because I don't have the money to start over right now. My sister is suppose to be selling Mom's house (she passed away in May), and that would help me get started, but now she is saying she won't sell it until Spring. I feel so stuck here. I could move in with my sister, but. . .OMG. . .it wouldn't work. She is a fruit cake. My brothers both live beside my ex, so that wouldn't work either.
I'm through venting now. I feel better when I can get it out!!! Thanks for listening! |
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| jeff |
Wow, you're up early this morning! I won't say much about the boyfriend situation, other than to say that it does't sound like a very good situation. I'm sure the ladies here will chime in plenty with their thoughts. Hang in there, CarolAnn. We're always here when you want to vent or just talk.
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| Jessica |
I'm sorry you're going through this. 
That doesn't sound like a good guy to be with. You deserve way better! A nice guy who appreciates who you are, who you feel safe with, who doesn't make you suffer. I'm saying prayers and sending positive vibes your way. Keep posting. We're here for you. (((((((((((((big hugs))))))))))))))))) Jessica |
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| CarolAnn |
Thank you so much, Jessica. That means more than you will ever know. I feel as if I have gone from the frying pan into the fire. I have a hard time letting other people down and hurting them, and it usually turns out I am the one that gets hurt. It is weird. I will figure something out; right now I think it is important for me to get out on my own and discover who I am. My daughter is almost sixteen, and right now I need to concentrate on our relationship first and foremost. Thanks again. Your support and prayers mean so much! 
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| CarolAnn |
Thank you, jeff. I hate to spill all my personal problems, but I really don't have anyone to talk to anymore. My parents are both deceased, and I am not close to my siblilngs. It helps just to get it out. I know there is something better out there for me; I just have to discover what that is!
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| Suzanne |
Yes, there is something better out there and it starts with you. Knowing yourself, liking yourself, being comfortable in your own skin. And it sounds like you're in a situation that isn't supportive of you at all.
Two words of unsolicited adivce. 1. DO NOT loan him any more money or share credit with him in any way. I know what I'm talking about here. 2. Instead of focusing on what you can't do and what won't work, think of what you can do. Think outside the box. Hide money if you need to. Can you live in your parents house? Or is the sister there? Often you can qualify for housing assistance if you're a single parent. Do you know anyone who has gotten divorced? What did they do? Talk to them and find out. While their solutions may not be yours, just opening yourself up to the possibility of alternatives often provides the answers you need. And that concludes my unsolicited advice. Hang in there. Try to love yourself. We all think you're pretty terrific and are dang glad you're here. Dump on us anytime. |
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| CarolAnn |
Thanks, Suzanne. You have given me some ideas to work with. Now I'll start weighing my options!
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| Dean |
Carol Ann, You can spill your personal problems here any day. That's what this board is for. It's not just a healthy WOE board... it's a support board for healthy ways of living (WOL). So... spill away. We are hear for you. And, we are very glad you are here. It sounds to me that you deserve a lot more than what you are getting out of this relationship you are in. Hang in there, and find some positive things that you can do now, as Suzanne has said. I've been through my share of this, and it does help to focus on whatever you can do for yourself, even in the midst of all the crap. |
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| CarolAnn |
I could go live with my sister until I can sort out what to do with my life. At least I'd have more money in my pocket there!
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| Susanne |
It's not like you'd have to live with your sis forever. God forbid I EVER have to live with one of mine (I have five), but I could do it for a few months if it would help me stockpile some cash to get my own place.
I ditto Suzanne's advice. I have gotten royally financially SCREWED by my ex's. I've just barely recovered from the last one, and we split up five years ago. I have promised myself never to become entangled with someone financially ever again. Other entanglements, yes! Money/property, no. From the way he's treating you while asking for financial stuff, I'm thinking you should have moved out weeks ago. Go GIRL and get the fuck out of there. Your priority should be to make you and your daughter safe as soon as possible. 
Hope I didn't offend - it just makes me madder than hell when I hear about guys treating women this way, esp. since I've been there, done that. With the exception of our fabulous gentlemen on this forum and a few others in the 'real' world (my dad, for example), I think most guys are amoral, low-life scum, and they should be ashamed of how they manipulate, use, and live off of women.
Having ranted on about all that, hope still springs eternal in my romantic heart that I will meet and mate with a nice one some day....
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| CarolAnn |
Susanne, I'm sure you will meet the right guy someday. I'm about to give up myself.
Thank you for the advice. I need that. He is gone right now and has been for 3 and 1/2 hours to help his ex girlfriend move her ex husband. ??? Anyway, I'm so out of here it is going to make his head spin. I think it is about time I learn to enjoy my freedom and have a little fun. I wasn't born to be a maid and a bank! 
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| Heather |
I just want to say, DO NOT get involved financially. It's been said before but it needs repeating.
I'm glad you see or get the feeling of what's going on before you get conned.... Others aren't so fortunate. |
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| jeff |
Listen to this woman!!! |
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| CarolAnn |
Heather sounds like a very wise woman. My sister is wanting to move me in with her immediately. I'm seriously contemplating it for a while. | ||||
| Jessica |
CarolAnn, sounds like others have some great help for you. Just wanted to stop by and say i've been thinking and praying for you sweetie.
Trust your instincts, they will not steer you wrong. Hugs, Jessica |
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| Analog6 |
Screwcaps actually cost winemakers MORE to 'attach' (their term!). Some very high quality wines here now use them.
So tell him to go bag his head, carolAnnn! Here is an article I found at http://www.classic.com.au/wizard/Corker.htm A real corker! By Franz Scheurer Winemakers are tearing their hair out, if they have any hair left that is, unless they are the less violent types and just go quietly grey. Why? Because of the incredibly high number of wines affected by cork taint. Obviously a badly affected wine is rendered undrinkable and that is a waste, but worse, slight taint is not recognised by a lot of people resulting in a verdict of a badly made wine in the eyes (or palates) of the consumer. This of course really hurts the pride of our winemakers who put their soul into their craft and their money on the line. TCA occurs in natural cork due to a lack of an adequate Q&A system in the cork manufacturing industries in Portugal. Lack of hygiene and procedures increases the failure rate of our favourite wine closures. Now this can be fixed but it will need a lot of leaning on the Portuguese and a willingness by the manufacturers to spend some extra money. In the meantime we are left with a lot of spoilt wine. There is also a perception that Australia, despite paying top dollar, is getting lesser quality cork. I also noticed that some of the top French houses soak their corks in brandy before they use them, an old-fashioned practise said to prevent TCA, which I have not observed anywhere in Australia. These are the reason that we see a concerted effort to make the synthetic cork better, safer and more affordable and the return of the stelvin cap. Some of the industry’s heavyweights have put their weight behind the stelvin cap. Jeffrey Grosset has just released his famous Polish Hill Riesling with stelvin caps, just to name one. The stelvin cap has been around for quite some time and in tastings of aged white wines it has won hands down over the same wines using cork closures. The industry is far more divided over the merit of stelvin caps with red wines. Brian Croser insists that we need to use cork for red wines to mature properly, whereas Ken Eckersley would happily use stelvin caps for both red and whites. Maturation with stelvin caps might be slower than with cork though, and special equipment is needed at the winery. Synthetic corks have found less of an acceptance as there are still questions about them being 100% food-grade in the long term and the synthetic material’s inability to spring back to the fully uncompressed size after being forced into the neck of a wine bottle (something cork excels at). A company in Portugal, called AMORIM is working hard on trying to beat TCA. Their internet site is: www.corkfacts.com Another very interesting site is: www.winetitles.com.au/publications/leske.html 12 papers covering cork supply, cork research, cork taint and consumer responses. Intrigued by all of this I sent out a questionnaire to many winemakers, sommeliers, food and wine writers and members of the public, to hopefully gain some insights. Here are the results: 1) The public hates the idea of change. Although they understand that artificial closures might be better than cork they still feel cheated when they are presented with a “good” (spell that expensive) bottle of wine using stelvin caps or synthetic closures. They will accept a young white with a stelvin cap but automatically file it in the “cheap” category. 2) Sommeliers prefer corks in general, as they don’t have to spend a lot of time explaining the merit of artificial closures to the patron. A lot of them admit though, that they are happily purchasing good wines with artificial closures for their own cellar! 3) Winemakers seem to be united in wanting to use stelvin caps for whites and some reds. Even synthetic corks get support, although the feeling is that the good ones are pitched at too high a price. 4) Food and wine writers seem to be the most divided group. No clear conclusion could be reached from the answers I received. John Newton probably summed it up best when he said: “From a personal point of view I must say there’s a curious thing with cork and stelvin. I don’t mind a cap on a white wine – but feel cheated with a capped red wine. Why? Purely emotional.” Personally? Well, I just bought a case of Grosset’s Polish Hill Riesling with stelvin caps and another case of the same wine with cork closures. I’ll tell you more in 10 years! ------------------------------------- And another extract, dated Feb 2004, from a winemaker's site (http://wine.amawa.com.au/articles/2004_02_dmullen.asp) The metal screw cap concept is not novel. The Australian Wine Industry, always willing to try new ideas and equipment were experimenting with a screw cap back in the mid 1970's. A number of vineyards at the time put their white wines under this invention, confident that the consumers would embrace the new seal. Unfortunately, I'm told that they got it completely wrong and rejected it outright and the vineyards were forced to change back to cork. However, the mood has changed and alternative closures are now being accepted by wine drinkers throughout the New World. But are screw caps really problem free? The answer is not necessarily, although their track record appears fairly impressive. Is the death of the cork only a matter of time? Let's just say an over confident yes may be a cause for some embarrassment. A closure that has played a central role in the wine industry over the last four centuries is not likely to go quietly. The French Wine Industry appears to believe it has the TCA problem well and truly licked. The cork supplier Sabaté, has been developing a new cork cleansing process. They have developed a technical cork that is made from reconstituted natural cork bark, which appears to have performed well in a series of trials conducted in the United Kingdom. A wine writer in Australia recently conducted some blind tastings where the Sabaté corks were used to seal a number of the bottles of wine tasted and he reports that 'the closure has performed brilliantly'. So we may yet hear shouts from the wine cellars around the world: 'the cork is dead, long live the cork!' |
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| jeff |
Well, ok. If you don't want to just take my word for it.
Good detective work, there. Looks like there's another wine drinker among us.
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| Alisa |
Hey, you haven't been around for a while that I've seen. I hope you're doing okay and getting everything straightened out.
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| jeff |
Hey, I was just thinking that, too. Hope you are doing ok. |
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| Karen |
Hi Carol Ann,
I hope everything is ok with you!!!
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| Heather |
Internet kinda sucks for this reason, if you are really concerned about someone you have no way of knowing who they really are and finding a way to contact them.
CarolAnn
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| Susanne |
CarolAnn - where ARE you, girl? Don't bail off the Bus now!!!!
Please post and let us know how you are doing!!!!!!!!!
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