I'll probably revise this a few times in the next few days, but here are some likely candidates: Tony Scianella, a recent friend of mine who makes the world's finest pool cues (Black Boar), which he sells for anywhere from a few thousand to over $100k each. An absolute mad genius, laughs easily, open-hearted, much fun to be around. I love brilliant and eccentric people. Subcomandante Marcos, the leader, inspirer, and poetic spokesman of the Zapatista movement in southern Mexico. Pretty sure he speaks English. Gimme3Steps, lotta wisdom and spirit and has such a unique way of looking at and putting things Bill(gonefishin), who is sort of an idealized version of my grandpa who's gone, he's like my real grandpa but better - although he's closer to my dad's age I guess. Just gives me good feelings, that guy. My dad, although I'm sure Marcos's ski mask would irritate the hell out of him. We'll just pretend either he understands, or Marcos takes off the mask...... We'd spend lunch talking about Good Food, all this list of people appreciate food more than the ordinary person. Tony collects olive oils (and high-end vodkas), Dad is a wonderful cook who drives all over town to find the best ingredients and cooks 3 fine meals a day, every day, Marcos is deep into traditional indigenous agriculture -- maize biodiversity especially -- in place of factory farming for export, and Gimme & Bill are big into growing the best home produce. And I just LOVE to eat! Yum

I will chime in because I am not a proponent of dieting . His claims that one can gain 12 # over the course of a holiday and then lose it in 17 days may have a very small bit of truth in it. Weight that is gained that quickly would primarily be fluid from high salt foods. It would be pretty easy to lose it as it would not be long term fat gain. That isn't possible in that short a time. Think about it...if you are a normal weight , you don't have anything that you need to lose ... you then stuff yourself over a week or 2 and gain 12 #....come on...very unlikely that a person with healthy eating habits is going to gorge like this. The person he is appealing to, wrongly I feel, is the person who has gained weight...for example your 20 # ,and wants to lose it. Now think how long it took to gain this weight. Most people pick up a few pounds a year for years. It took time to gain it....it takes time to lose it. Add to that the slowing of metabolism as we get older and you have your work cut out for you. The one GOOD thing he stresses is exercise. He walks with his patients. The bad thing is they say to do 17 minutes of exercise a day. Sorry...that won't accomplish anything...it is a start but it will have to increase dramatically to have any effect on weight loss .Permanent change is what the person has to achieve. Lifestyle changes are the hardest to accomplish and the MOST rewarding. Eating a well balanced and very modest intake of food and increasing your activity is the only way to lose weight and keep it off. Portions are the hardest thing to change. Folks eat WAY more than they think they do and they exercise way less than they think they do...for the most part. There are always exceptions. See your MD first. Get a partner to help you stick with this. Keep a dairy of every single thing you put in your mouth. Start walking. Increase no more than 10 % per week of your activity level. Get good shoes and wear comfortable clothes. Do not weigh every day. Do not expect miracles. Expect to lose no more than 1-2 # a week and expect to hit flat places . Get a partner ! Good Luck ! You are already on the way....you want to lose the weight. c

Mooorrrrnnnn'in!!!! Well, yesterday I ate TWO cinnamon buns which accounted for about 75% of my points for the day. Glad to say they are now out of my system. I am not angel but at the very least I am a very satisfied devil! Maxed my points yesterday and refocussed on better foods today. Crunchy red deliciuos apples, low fat (almost NO fat) rice pudding, planning soup for supper with low fat meat (realized I have not had much protein ... again!). To catch up a wee bit: ((((((Yellowhair & DH)))))))). I am prone to return to medication for diabetis, hence another incentive to behave (diet controlled). You were right to drag him to the doc like you did. Men. Never understand how they can just let things go or pretend that nothing is wrong. He owes you a treat I would say. Glad to read your post and that you were firm when you had to be. Big hugs coming your way! Kathy, I would love to have gone shopping with you. Especially with my wieght and body changes of late. Don't want to spend money on clothes again, yet....but quite happy to shop second hand. Sure can find gems in there if you have the time to look! Miss Walmart. MaryAnn your post about being surprised with your weight after your school break was a good trial run to see how you can handle maintenance after you reach goal - might not be as hard as you thought. You've done good girl! Beverly I know its hard but you are making better choices right now and reading the menu more and I bet labels too...so, in small ways, you are pulling yourself forward. Glad to see ya posting! Alice..really happy you are participating with us. We are with ya all the way. Don't forget small goals count, you can do this! We can all do this. Its wonderful to make new friends too! Keep us posted on your activities and thoughts! I have gone back to the MSNBC news site to read more nutrition articles. I think I am going to spend some time printing out inspirational articles and put them in a binder for when I need to read them. Never hurts to have them at hand. Today is a better day, it's also my last day this week (I booked tomorrow off). Want to make some soup tomorrow, do some laundry and get out for a stroll/fresh air. Have my nurse coming for a home visit (she is part of my outpatient clinic for my depression management). I tell ya, it never hurts to ask for help. I applaud all of those professionals who are always there when I need them. Life has it's challenges and I prefer to take the bull by the horns! Yeeeeee hhhhhhaaaaaaaaaa! Let's make today count! McPeg

I don't blame either Mattie or MKroopy for being concerned with the peanut/tree nut issue. If a school has a child who has a severe case the residue has been proven to be able to set off the extreme reaction such as MKroopy mentioned. Example, peanutbutter on kid's hands, not entirely washed perhaps just a quick rub with napkin and then residue can be smeared around school. Child with extreme case uses item next, bit of residue gets on child's hands and then could be rubbed into child's nose, mouth, eyes setting off the child's reaction. I did not realize to the extent the danger could be by just 'touching' for some people. Scary stuff. I had no idea. While I've known about the peanut/tree nut allergy and that some schools have peanut-free tables ect, I did not know about the dangers of smeared residue. I suppose each school needs to look at it as to who actually has the allegry and to what degree. If no children in a particular building has the extreme reaction and possible chance of residue exposure, banning does seem over the top. As a parent though if my child had the extreme case and a possible residue exposure could occur I'd likely push for strengthened methods to protect against. IDK, mandatory washing of hands immediately after eating with sinks provided next to lunchroom? But then there'll always be the odd child or two that ignores 'rule' or half heartedly washes...and then of course the residue on sink? While my school so far has no one with peanut allergy, it's not been an issue here, but I'm glad you have both opened my eyes to the whys such total bans might be necessary as new students arrive. I'd think if a school that had the extreme case reactions could do more about educating the children and parents on the actual facts ( without naming child of course)...I don't think a single parent would want to chance having some one else's child exposed and have reaction by merely swinging on the playground swing after their child smeared food residue on the swing. To get ridiculous and totally ban without some actual need though (aka no student with such extreme reactions to the slightest exposure) could be considered 'over the top' reaction to an issue that does not exist in that particular building. It's a horrible thought that some children would actually prank a child with food allergies...perhaps the serious consequences of such foolish behavior could be addressed routinely at the start of each school year. I'd think openly addressing the topic and the effects such actions could mean in reality would be just as important as peanut-free tables and bans. On a side note, Mr New Principal phoned yesterday. School did find my check. He did not tell me details but assured me that a new system of turning in lunch money was in the works as obviously this one is not working.