Welcome to the our little Chunky Monkey world, Kendi. 
Thanks, Margie! You're such a sweetie! It was okay - hubby ended up having to take clients from out-of-town to dinner and didn't get home until almost 9pm. I think he was more bummed about that than I was. We're actually going to re-celebrate my birthday with my family when we see them Thanksgiving, so that will be fun.
Plus, my hubby got me Sugarshack's DVD's for my birthday. 
I just have to get them ordered.
Funny, I realized - after you talking about your birthday coming up pretty soon - that mine was causing some of my down-in-the-dumpsness (dumpsness?...hmmm...probably can't use THAT in Scrabble 
). I tend to get moody around my birthday, thinking of all I haven't accomplished since the last one. 
Thinking of you guys and all you've said made me stop and try to think of what I have accomplished. That helped a lot. Thanks for making me aware of that.
So, birthday/cold weather blahs behind me (and 3 pounds gained back - yeesh 
), I am putting the past behind me and vowing to make this year of my life a healthier, happier, and more positive one. One I hope will be filled with lots of cake!...........for other people, not me......necessarily. 
Hey, Deb, when do you start at BR?? Diane, how goes the shop? Emrldsky, can't wait to see your ticker!
GO CHUNKY MONKEYS!!!
Happy Birthday Stacy!!! Margie-thank goodness you're the observant one here ! It's like your setting your New Year's Resolutions early Stacy--Wonderful!! My bake shop is going to arrive next week (hopefully). It's a pre-fab bldg. that is being moved out to our house from about 90 miles away. All of the commercial equip. I've gotten is sitting in the garage....waiting for its new home. I'm home sick today with the world's longest lasting cold--this is the middle of the second week I've had it-went from my head to my chest and today back to my head and I just decided to finally stay home today and try to get well! However, I'm still able to type with my cup of steaming tea beside me and I'm heading back to bed very soon--my darling dog was whining outside my door and woke me up--darn it--naturally no one fed him before they headed off for work and school--AARRGGHHH!! Enough complaining--Go Chunky Monkeys--at least I feel too rotten to want to eat !
Thanks for the birthday wish, Diane. You know, you've just given me a terrific idea for a new ritual. I am going to start making my New Year's resolutions on my new year - my birthday.
Feel better soon! Not your favorite "diet", but at least you found the silver lining!
Maybe you should forget dinner tonight...then they'll know how the dog feels, hah.
Mmmm...tea sounds AMAZING right now. I'm gonna get some, too. What's your favorite kind? GO CM's!
So sorry to hear that you are sick Diane. I don't get colds very often but when I do they normally last at least 2 weeks. I so hope that you are feeling better real soon. I know it must be miserable.... Maybe because this one is lasting so long, it means you're good to go for at least another year
Stacy - Oh wow, you're getting Sugarshack's DVD's for your birthday. OH, I want them too. 
My birthday is in February and I think I may put a buzz in my hubby's ear for that too. I'd love to have them. I do know what you mean about birthdays. I think I started getting kinda depressed about them when I turned 40. Boy, that was a hard one. Now last year I actually was happy when my birthday came around. Wanta know why? Cause for some strange reason for the entire year prior to this birthday I was thinking that I was a year older than I actually was. REALLY. So, when last February came around and I really thought about how old I was, I was happy cause I was turning the same age that I thought I already was for the last entire year. I know, I've got issues 
It was the funniest thing.....
Stacy! Why didn't you tell us your birthday had come and passed? Happy Belated Birthday to you!
I have one coming up next month, the big 3-0 and when I started talking about cutting my hair off about 4 inches my mom asked me if I was getting depressed. I was like no, I just need a change and a hair cut is the fastest way to make a girl feel better. Of course as it gets closer I do have all those thoughts of what I haven't accomplished in my life, where I thought I woudl be now, ten years ago, and all that other negativity that we tend to think.
I think making goals away from New Years Resolutions is probably the best time to do it. Because it means you are making them because you really want to and want to change. Not because it's a new year and that's what is expected. We should all follow your lead.
Diane, give yourself some time to heal while you can, before you get your new business up and going. I hate colds! I start the new years off with one every year and they tend to last weeks. Drives me crazy! Take care of yourself and if you don't shake it soon go visit the DR. Lingering head colds can lead to ear infections.
Butternut, you sound like my momma. She always has to ask how old she is, and have added to her age a time or two. Age is just a number, so we can be what ever age we want to be. Hehe.
I can't believe another week is almost gone. Where are they going?
Hrm, i'm not sure what happened. I swear I posted a reply to this thread earlier but it didn't show up. Maybe I'm losing my mind and misplaced it. I was laughing out loud when I was home earlier and reading the conversatino about getting older and memory going going gone. hehe my cats looked at me awkwardly.
Since the contest is over, I thought I'd share with you ladies the cake I submited.
I'm looking forward to seeing who won.
Thank you Stacy. That's my new short hairstyle done all wild and curly. =)
Part of the missing post was letting ya'll know I start as the cake decorator on Monday at BR. I've watched the cake building and cake decorating training videos, but don't start until Monday morning. I'm a little stressed about time. All the classes I have to offer (i'm praying they don't all make, plus end of semester projects (papers and tests) to finish, plust painting the outside of our house, plus starting a new job. It's a lot on my plate.
This weekend we have family in from Kansas. They want to go to the Texas Renaissance festival. Honestly, I'm glad for the visit, I'm not looking forward to the fair. The good news is that my Sister in Law had bypass surgery a month or so before I had the band surgery, so at least we can share our struggles a little.
I'm so proud of you ladies, I mean really, really proud.
When i did a google search for "go monkey go" this is what I found. Enjoy!
That's what I looked the last couple of days with the twins - man, have they been loud & cranky!!!!
Enjoy your visit with your family, Deb. I know it can be exhausting, even when it's fun.
Just hang in there during this transition time. I know you are stressed out and worried about getting everything done. A new job always seems overwhelming when you first start. In no time you'll be whizzing through and wondering why you were ever worried about it!
I'd send you some extra energy, if I had any. Instead I'll just send you an extra helpin' of hugs and support. I'm so proud of you for taking all of this on at once. You can do it!!!
Oh yeah, be sure to have some healthy snacks around that you can throw in your purse. When you are running as much as you're going to be, you may need an extra snack.
GO Chunky Monkeys!!
Deb--you look GREAT!!! Love your new pic--the weight loss and haircut are wonderful!!! You've inspired me for the day--good luck with all of the "stuff" goin on in your life! Got to get back to work--I'm making up for missing yesterday....wish I were still home though--I so miss being at home!! Good luck with the twins Stacy!! Margie -- I totally am going, going, gone with you!! and it's getting worse!! I have to remember how old I am by remembering what year I was born and then subtracting--in my head, which is not at all reliable--CRIPES!! TS what I would give to be the big 3-0 again, of course I can't really recall my own big 3-0......damn memory .
Diane, you're so funny.
Hey, got a question for all my chunky monkey pals. What changes have you made as far as food substitutions that you are happy with? In other words, I've changed from full calorie mayonnaise to light mayo, from Land of Lakes butter to light Promise, Lay's full fat potato chips to low sat fat chips (yep I know, still empty calories but really good every now and then) from Kraft full fat cheddar cheese to 2 percent, etc. I know we all have different tastes but I'm just wondering if you've found something that you could share with us? I'm still not fully happy with the mayonnaise so still looking for a better, low cal one. So, have any of you found some substitutions that you think is really good and you can live with? Thanks guys.
Diane, you are too funny! Seriously, you need to stop or I am going to have to start borrowing diapers from the twins (yeah, like they'd even come close to fitting) - I guess bladder must be the 2nd thing to go?
Margie - I wish I had some good suggestions for you in the switch-out department. I have just cut back or cut out the things that were not especially dear to me. Like I don't really care if I eat an egg or not, except once in a blue moon. I also don't care about cheese all that much, except string cheese is a staple low-cal snack for me.
I did accidentally buy Hellman's Light mayo and couldn't tell it was light until I read the label about half-way through the jar.
I find salad dressings are particularly hard to deal with. The light ones are full of sugar to compensate for the fat and the regular ones are...well, full of fat. Most of the time I just end up using oil and vinegar at home - if not, I put it on the side.
So I just had to share this!!!
About a month ago I gave in and bought bigger jeans, because I really couldn't wear any of the jeans I had anymore.
I had to buy a new pair today, because...I can't fit into those bigger jeans anymore...because they're TOO BIG!!!
I'm wearing a pair of size 12 jeans from Target (Mossimo) because I know I can get to a 10 before these get worn out.
I'm just excited!!! I haven't been able to fit into a 12 in months (not without a muffin top, that is).
I agree, smaller jeans are a major accomplishment. 
Woo hoo, Jade!! I am so with you on the pants. This last week I was able to fit back in to jeans I had out grown before. One of the reasons that got me losing weight again cause my pants wouldn't zip any more.
Such a great feeling! Big Hugs to you!
Thanks everyone...it DOES feel great! I was strutting around the house yesterday in my smaller jeans, lol.
One question though...any advice on hemming jeans? I only paid $20 for them at Target, but they don't come in lengths (I'm only 5'2" and I believe my inseam is around 28"). Also, I do not have a sewing machine.
Thankfully my mother knows how to sew because she hems all my pants for me. I'm only 5' myself.
Do you have any friends that can sew? If so, maybe you can trade them a cake for hem. Alot of dry cleaners will do it too, so you may want to try there.
I'm gonna have to learn how to do it sometime myself, since my momma won't be around forever. HeHe, but I'll let her do it as long as she will.
Hi Monkey Ladies,
Just a quick howdy and hello to start the week on the positive side of things.
I guess I'm making Thanksgiving this year for my husband and I and 2 friends. They are going to stay with us for the 4 day weekend and help us paint the house.
I guess, according to another post I started, I didn't win anything for the Halloween cake contest, but the winners should know who they are. It's dumb that they haven't been announced publicly yet.
I started at Baskin Robbins yesterday. It should go very well once I get my groove going. I only got 3 cakes done in the 4 1/2 hours I was there. But the system is broken. I have no idea which cakes are how old. I really have to get the freezers organized and the work station set up for my own style. It'll happen. Fortunately, I was told the owner isn't there a lot so hopefully he won't be in my way like he was on Monday.
Tomorrow is my next day and my weigh in day. I don't forsee any weight loss this week, but maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised.
Of course, we always have room for more! Welcome!
I only lost .7 this week, but I wasn't expecting to lose alot. I still can't get my mind around walking again. UGH!! I am still down 13 pounds, and back to my weight I was at the beginning of the year.
Me and my mom are getting hair make overs in the morning. She has been struggling with what she wants to do with her hair for sometime. I've talked her into going to someone different this time. She has been going to the same lady for over 20 years. She needs a change and since this lady does the big, poofy, teased do's that last a week she won't get it with her.
Hopefully the new place will do well and I won't get blamed, if she doesn't like her hair.
I was planning on waiting a few more weeks before my hair cut, but since I'm going as moral support and she's buying mine for my birthday, I figured I could do it earlier. I'm excited and nervious because I'm planning on cutting atleast 4-5 inches off it. I have a few ideas in mind, but I'm mostly going to leave it up to the stylist.
So tomorrow morning, if you don't mind, please send us happy hair thoughts 
and cross your fingers for us.
Hope everyone has been having a good week. Maybe we should start a discussion on helping with holiday eating?
Wednesday weigh in came and went. I saw 286 something on the scale. So I'm happy. I'm also looking for easy ways to make the thanksgiving dinner 4 person satisfying without having tons of left overs. I just don't have room in my fridge for it all. And honestly, I'm not really looking forward to the company, but they are coming to help us paint so I can't complain if we actually get the work done.
Love the ladies in this group and I'm happy to have Darlene on the thread with us.
well thanks for the warm welcome.
a quick tiddy about me,
im 45, divorced mom of two daughters (21 and 19 yrs). and grandmother to 21 month grandaughter. i live in CT. baking and cake decorating has been a hobby of mine for most of my life.
like so many ive constantly stuggle with my weight.
a few years ago, i was finally comfortable with my size. i'd found my balance. then so many different thing just exploded on me that i found solace with food again. im not at my heaviest, but im pretty close.
im determined to get my balance back again.
i need to lose approx. 75pds. UGH just typing that number gave me the shrivers.
well, i guess thats it for now. feel free to ask me any questions.
i look forward to getting to know everyone here.
i love CC and all the people ive met so far have been wonderful. im sure this new chapter here will be just as amazing.
thanks again,
darlene
I think this Cake Central stuff needs to settle down and fly right! I miss the monkey support group more than I realized. How is everyone? Who needs extra support for the upcoming feast day?
Love all you ladies had wish you strong will power and low calorie alternatives to your favorite foods!
Deb
YEAH, we're back up and running. I've missed all you guys!!
Deb - how's your job at Baskin Robbins going? I know they are glad to have you there.
TS - Tell us all about your new hair cuts. Are you happy with it? How about your mom? Details, details....
Darlene - WELCOME!! It's great to meet you and I look forward to getting to know you better.
So, how did everyone do this past week? I hope all is well with everyone and we are all staying on track. I'm not too worried about Thanksgiving. This is the first time in about 25 years that I haven't cooked. Going to sister in law's house this year. Good thing is that I won't be tempted with all the leftovers. That's a really good thing. I did lose 3 pounds this past week and I have reached my goal of 140 that was set to lose by Dec 7th. so I'm still doing a happy dance about that. Still have 10 more to lose but that will have to wait till we get back from vacation. Going to Disneyworld and I'm gonna be careful with what I eat but I'm not going to deprive myself. We'll see how it goes.... So looking forward to a change of scenery....
Alrighty, I want to hurry up and send this in fear that CC may go back down again. I hope everyone has a wonderful and healthy week. Keep smiling and keep motivated and we will all reach our goals........WE CAN DO THIS!!!!!
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