When I think of stars on calendars, the inner bitch says "Here's what I think of your stars!" and kicks things over.

Connie's inner bitch and mine are one. And delaying buying something until I reach a goal has never worked for me either.

There are times when I temporarily forget that I no longer live in the little town I grew up in, which was mostly filled with Italians. I was coming home today and it started snowing (argh!). So, instead of going to the big market I went to the little deli/market just down the street from my house to pick up a couple of things. I'm looking at their shelf of Italian food, and I ask someone if they sell canned Italian tuna in olive oil. Nothing but a blank look and blinking.

When I think of stars on calendars, the inner bitch says "Here's what I think of your stars!" and kicks things over.

Hee. We've started stars on calendars for Ryan. So far he hasn't rebelled. I don't know that there's been much behaviour modification either, he's always been pretty well-behaved.

When he gets 20 stars, we're going to the Zoo together. Oh! Which reminds me, if we visit all three of Melbourne's zoos in the next three months or so, we'll be in the running to win a trip to San Diego Zoo. That would be nice.

Connie's inner bitch and mine are one. And delaying buying something until I reach a goal has never worked for me either.

Me either. Not since the 90s, where I delayed buying the video "Echidna: The Survivor" for a few months, and by the time I went back for it, it had been discontinued and was not available anywhere.

When he gets 20 stars, we're going to the Zoo together.

Oh, I wish there was a higher power that would grant me things if I reach a goal. I'm the higher power, and I know myself too well.

we'll be in the running to win a trip to San Diego Zoo. That would be nice.

A trip to the San Diego zoo? I suspect some buffistas might happen to organize to e there if you and kiddo were too!

I've never been good at long term rewards ( thus part of the issue with dieting--payoff is too slow, as opposed to the immediate reward of cake or whatever)

Well, norovirus sux.

I'm down five pounds, so that's nice I guess...

And delaying buying something until I reach a goal has never worked for me either.

Me either. Not since the 90s, where I delayed buying the video "Echidna: The Survivor" for a few months, and by the time I went back for it, it had been discontinued and was not available anywhere.

I admit it's part of my not being able to resist buying things that helped lead to this system. I HAVE the new TARDIS watch, I'm just not allowed to have it have it yet. (But I did earn a different watch and my stuffed R.O.U.S. by meeting other goals. And I recruited friends when I didn't think I could trust myself - my BFF held onto the other watch until I earned it. ThinkGeek/USPS held onto the R.O.U.S.)

we'll be in the running to win a trip to San Diego Zoo. That would be nice.

Nice even for people who aren't part of the Tea Family!

Ooh, no fun, Trudy! I hope you're feeling much better soon. And enjoy your suddenly loose jeans until healthy eating comes back, I guess. {{{ Trudy }}} That's a safe distance so as not to jostle you if you're still feeling iffy.

as opposed to the immediate reward of cake or whatever

Did someone say cake? Ooo! Where?? Yum!

Now it's time for that exciting guessing game: Am I actually feeling queasy, or is it because I've barely eaten in the past two days?