Hi Jasmi, I do Jari Love's Ripped 1000 three days a week for one hour. I do little half hours here and there on my exercise ball (sit ups,etc) or weight lifting while I watch TV (10 lbs). Then I go hiking 2-3 days a week for 2-3 hours. I found a friend who wants to lose weight too, so it works out well. We were up to six miles a day last week, but I took a week off because my husband was going out of town and I wanted to spend those afternoons with him. We want to go hiking this afternoon but it's 90 degrees out. I'm not doing anything this afternoon!!! Maybe lift some weights tonight when it cools off. But I'm also concentrating in other ways. Walking to pick up my dd at school (1/2 mile round trip), parking furthest away from the shopping center, gardening, walking the dog, etc. I stand up at work and do jumping jacks when no one is in the office. Sounds silly, but it revs up my metabolism. I also eat a big breakfast. I've heard that's really good to do. I have a hard time eating in the morning, but i force myself to do it, and I think it helps get me going on burning calories because my body knows it has enough and doesn't feel depleted.

Hi! How is everybody doing? I am waiting to hear more about Zig's meet up with Maddie. Inquiring minds, you know.... Raeanne, have you been kayaking yet? My DS turns 18 at the end of August and I do believe that I'll buy myself a kayak. Kind of a thank you present TO MYSELF!!! for having raised 2 decent kids lol! DeeMarie, how is the knee holding up? Swimming sounds like an excellent idea. NH Suzanne, I am sure that you did not deserve to have your butt kicked. The visual on that has me ROFL! This has been a very good week for me all the way around. The weather is very warm (too warm!) but the days are just beautiful with clear blue skies and a light breeze. I am right on track with diet and ALMOST there with the exercise. Back later, I hope everyone has a very nice day. Tikanas

Here's some insight from another Southerner (well, an all-over Military brat who has been in the deep South now for almost 25 years). Begging off church activities with feigned illness/fatigue: this is just the Southern way of getting out of doing something without offending anyone. It's hard enough to turn down an invite to a Metallica concert by telling your metalhead friend that you don't like heavy metal. Have you ever tried telling a heavily-churched Southern person that you don't want to attend their church function because you're not fond of their denomination or particular congregation? You just don't do it. You make up an excuse. Also, in what may seem like an odd way, she is respecting her husband. If he is a deacon, or member of the men's committee, or whatever, it is expected that his wife and family be a part of things. If she were to go to a movie, or shopping with "outsiders", etc. rather than attend a church function, it could cause discomfort for him. So her solution is to stay out of sight. Crazy, but I understand it. My observation of women or men who are heavily involved in their churches (particularly Southern Baptist or any of the more evangelical groups, and particularly the Pentecostal groups) is that all social activity tends to revolve around the church. Whether it is actual services, Sunday school, bible study, or socializing away from church . . . it is with other church people. Particularly if the children are grown so there are no other natural "groups" from which to draw friends (ballpark moms, band parents, neighborhood groups, etc.). My guess is that her husband has few friends outside the church, and might not be altogether comfortable with someone from the outside. So she may not be sure how to introduce new people to their lives. As for the martyrdom/narcissism angle, I think other posters have commented well on that. She's just your standard guilt-tripper. The change agent there is not for her to change, but for others to change how they react to it: Her: "I never get to do anything like that (sigh)". Other person: "That's a shame, you really should try it some time." or . . . Her: "We HAVE to get the roof blown off today." Son/Daughter: "I wish I'd known, Mom, but we already have plans. How about next Saturday?" She only does it because it gives her feedback that she desires.

I remember reading that...but it's still just as funny.... I am completely surprised that I didn't find a post from me on there...My DH has done a few things during our 42 years that I tell on him every now and then. patti