I'm having the same problem Deb, changed news server the other day and have
had hardly any posts since then.

Allow me a  Girly-Girl(TM) Moment:

I started back at WW because I didn't like how I looked in my sister's
wedding photos and decided to do something about it.

This time around, the program has a lot of emphasis on practical
behaviour modification. I have been grabbing those tools and using
them. One of them is rewarding yourself for progress.

I had posted earlier this week on how I was going to reward myself for
_finally_ getting the first ten pounds off by gonig for a manicure and
a pedicure.

I did. This is the first time in my life I've done such a thing and I
loved it.

The asthetician tut-tutted over the state of my toenails. but said
that overall, my feet were in pretty good shape. (i've always done my
own pedicures and manicures before, following procedures learned from
one of those beauty books)  She reshaped my nails, gave me care tips
(as to why I should not cut them as short as I had been) and promised
me that if I put my feet into her hands and did what she said to do at
home some nails that had been looking pretty ugly at home should start
to clear up and look better.

Regarging my hands, she tut-tutted again for my having ripped the
nails off a few weeks earlier (I do so when fretting) but said that
overall, I had very good nails, even though I had been abusing them.

I then asked her about other skin care questions. (I cheerfully admit
to being somewhat less than educated in this department) She then gave
me a simple recipe for a sugar (the abrasive), baking soda (water and
skin softener) and oi l(to moisturize the skin)  scrub.

Always one to look up and check background on these sorts of things, I
googled and found a page full of recipe ideas at
http://www.cancerlynx.com/bodyscrub.html

I made up a simple paste of sugar, baking soda, and safflower oil.
scented it with a bit of orange blossom water and lemon juice (yes, I
have a well stocked kitchen) and proceeded to the bathroom for a
luxurious little half hour exfoliation session. I folded a towel, put
it over the side of the tub, sat down and proceeded to massage and
scrub every inch of my body, section by section, washing off with hot
water in between.

Amazing.

That's all I can say.

Why didn't I find out about this 20 years ago? When you do something
like this, you are really paying attention to your body. I was
certainly noticing the changes that have occured over the past four
months. General tightening up of muscle tone, thinner neck, more
muscular legs and arms and gut muscles. My asthetician says that if I
do this once a week, that I will  minimize the existing  blackhead
issues on the bod. I'll report back on that The oil leaves your skin
feeling awesomely soft. The ingredients were all in my kitchen and
cost, what, all of 35 cents?

Guys, this goes for you too. Try it, and use an appropriately
masculine scent or leave it unscented. You'll love the results. So
will your girlfriends and wives.

Shirley Hicks
Toronto, Ontario

I'm looking forward to trying out other combinatons.
And oh yeah, it's a good idea to scrub the tub afterwards.

I think the newsgroup is just quiet. I only see 9 messages with a 2/18 date
and 10 with today's date.

BTW, did you see where the german server is going to a pay service shortly?
I think it will $13 per year. Still pretty cheap for a decent server. I
haven't decided if I will keep my ID or not since I currently don't use it
very often.

Oh good. Does this mean you missed my post on my WI where I've put on
half-a-pound?

Cheers, helen s ;-)