Hi guys!
OK...I say this will be a quickie fly by, but I know me...once I get started, I won't shut up...LOL.
Anyway...
ALIDA!!!! That group pic of you is fantastic!!! YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! Make it your avatar! I swear you look 40-ish, woman!!! Dayuuuuummmmm....lookin' good, girl!!!
Thanks for the side bar on the contacts, but unless they are also *multi-focal*, I think I'm gonna be stuck doing the distance vision with the readers over them. But, you know, it's not that bad. I'm just thankful I can have some time out of glasses.

I got my *Charlie Brown* Christmas tree yesterday! WOOHOO!!! So, in the event I don't have time to decorate full tilt by the time DD and DGS come in Dec, I can at least have the *fence post* all decorated...LOL.

My other big news of the day...ta-da...drum roll please...we are getting cable for the computer...woohoo! Our computer guy came out today and put in the ethernet card, so hopefull I can call the cable folks and set up an appt for asap. We had thought we would wait until we got a new pc, but dial up is just a pita and a dinosaur. So, finally, I might get into the next century with the rest of you guys...LOL.

Bren, are you feeling better, kiddo? You sound a little more perky today

Barb, Glad your dad is coming along so nicely. I know you miss your mom bunches, but what a great way to celebrate her birthday! Heavenly birthdays deserve a toast, no doubt

Donna and Rachel...hope you guys are having fun wherever you are!!! You are missed!

Peg, they gave us our flu shots today. Sadly, this year, they don't have enough vaccine to let us buy shots for our family members like they did last year. I hear this year's flu strain is *Nasty McWicked*. So, yes, all of you who can, I encourage you to get a flu shot. And also, if you have a history of respiratory disease or if you are at high risk for other reasons, please ask your physician about the pneumonia vaccine as well.

Teel, girl, it sounds like you whipped out those dinner parties in nothing flat! You must be one super organized person!!! I would have to make lists for 2 weeks, no doubt, before I could even grocery shop...then I would probably forget something important like, say, the meat!!

Judy, Ilse,and everyone else... Hope you guys are good!

Well, didn't I tell you all I would end up doing the duracell bunny thing??...going on and on and on....

Early cases in the morning, so I'd better get moving in the direction of the bedroom. My new orientee did excellent today! She hung right in there with me, and we had a good day. I think she is going to settle in and do fine; that makes me glad

Later, ladies!

Shelley

__________________
Shelley


Visit Kassie's Korner


"A goal without a plan is just a wish."
--Antoine de Saint Exupery

I’m SOONER born,
And SOONER bred,
And when I die,
I’ll be SOONER dead!
GO SOONERS!
I be ready for some football!

One little walker-runner Dude for every 10 miles!

Oh, c**p, just lost a longish post. Rats?.

Barb, thanks for the recommendation. You know, I used to get the Collage Video catalog. I checked the site and will call for the paper version  Sculpture looks like a good possibility.

In lieu of something more formal today, I put on a BodyPump CD, found myself dancing and singing, if you could call it that?whatever you call it, it was loud--while doing chores today. Almost without realizing it, I?d grabbed the weights which had dustballed under the coffee table, and found myself doing arms like a maniac. Obviously, I was alone in the house I always forget how much music helps my mood in general, and my willingness to work out in particular.

Peg, so glad your visit with DD was such a success. That bodes very well for your move. Can?t tell you how I smiled when I heard your DGD had called you with her problems. Very special.

Had to laugh at your DH, though. I?ve finally trained Jerry so that he?d be terrified to substitute a gumball when buying something specificfor me, without written approval.

Didn?t know you had COPD, Peg. Not fun.

Yes, I?ve been knitting right along, but not getting as much accomplished as you?d think. I?m a slow knitter?even for a thrower. Not deliberate, not even accurate?just SLOW. Never fear, I?ll have plenty of projects on the needle when you visit. And love the new avatar--perfect!

Alida, absolutely wonderful pictures You are SO cute!!! Yup, I agree, we need one of those for your avatar! Oh, that?s a bummer on the brakes. Boy, don?t you love, like I do, to spend money where it doesn?t even show? Better to be safe, though.

Shelley, congrats on getting connected, girl! We still have DSL here in the backwoods, but that?s a site better than dialup. Oh we?re gonna see more of you, I know it! Great that your new internee did so well. Whew, huh?

Rachel, Ilse, Donna, Judy?thinking about you.

Yeah, thanks I feel good today, too. Really good. I?ve been looking at light boxes again, but too many choices.

Well, this morning ran errands in the rain, but it was lovely this afternoon and I got most of the deck garden cut down for winter. The other project, which I hadn?t planned, consisted of going through my closet and weeding out a large box of clothing to give away. You know, it was mostly the ?really small? things, but I feel inordinately relieved about it, actually. Those clothes (well, pants for the most part?the tops fit) were from the 2-3 years I weighed 102-106. I?ve been struggling for the past three years to approach that weight again, and I?ve honestly concluded it?s just too hard to reach, and too hard to maintain when I?m there. :o At 57, I?ve got to say I look better than most of my acquaintances of the same age, and the struggle was making me feel pretty bad about myself. I do still want to lose a couple of pounds and definitely tone up again to a healthy level, but if I never wear a size 2 again, I?ll live quite nicely, thank you.

Have a good one...

__________________
BC
LC Since 1998
Highest Weight 172
Current 104-108

Hi all, I missed my daily conversations with all of you. It seems that I get so far behind that it is almost impossible to get caught up again. So please forgive the spotty, random, hit or miss comments below. And, please excuse spelling and typing errors ..... this has to be fast.

Alida: Absolutely beautiful pictures of you. Although I can see some ways that you and your sister favor each other, you truly are the little sister. You look years and years and years younger. I'm glad you had a great visit with your family and friends.

Bren: I was sorry to read that you are having miagraine problems again. I cannot immagine how awful that must be. Glad to hear that you are feeling better and were able to get up and do some exercising. If I remember correctly, exercise is supposed to help SAD sysmptoms. Get a box and get in the light. Beat the depression before it can set in.

Barb: It sounds like things are looking up for your Dad. It was nice to be able to have a lunch with him and in honor of your mother. I have to agree, your dreams may all have been your mom trying to comfort you at a time she knew you would be sad.

Teel: THREE DINNER PARTIES!! Oh my gosh girl, what are you trying to do, win a stress award? The best thing that I can say about that is that you only have to clean house once. I hearby award you the Martha Stewart medal for the month.
** BTW, did you say that one of the pictures that I posted was horizontal? That's weird.... it everything was right side up on my screen.

Peg: Just my personal opinion, but I would only take the lap top. You will get used to it, and in a few days you will be comfortable with its operation. If you have your computers networked, why don't you back up all your big computer's files to the laptop. That way you will have all documents that you might need. We just bought an external harddrive to use as a nightly backup system for our computer. That could be another option for taking your files along with you. Your laptop is meant to travel. The big PC isn't.

In all your packing, have you considered that while staying in hotel/motels that it is not a good idea to leave anything visible in your car. Aren't I right, you have a Lexus SUV? There's not much way to cover things in an SUV without someone wondering what is underneath. I don't recommend leaving anything of value open in the car at night.

Have you taken the laptop out and practiced connecting to open networks yet? Try it in the next few days and let me know if you are successful or not. If you have problems, I'll try to take screen shots on my lap top and send you detailed instructions.

Shelley: Did I catch somewhere in the conversation that you have already purchased a Christmas tree? Oh my gosh, I don't even want to think about it yet. This may be the year that we start paring things down. At most DD will be here for 2 nights. I'd be sureprised if DS and his wife do much more than show up on Christmas Eve afternoon. They will probably end up spending the nights at her parents house in Tyler. We always have the big Christmas celebration with DH's family on Christmas Day in Tyler, so we will see them there again the next day. I can't get too excited about digging out all the stuff for such a small and short celebration.

Ilse: It's interesting to hear that your leaves are just now turning. I would have guessed that you had already had your fall color. As for us, everything is still green and the temp is still in the 80s and 90s. Generally by now it starts to cool some. We will be lucky to see color by Thanksgiving at this rate.

Rachel and Donna: Traveling mercies to each of you. You are missed, and we are looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Now, my quick update. We had our first Aca Dec practice meet on Saturday. My kids did great. I would have like for there to have been a little stiffer competition. But, the good side is that our competition was respectable and my kids got really psyched about their awards. That's one big event off my plate for the remainder of the year. I need to get off here and type an awards list for tomorrow;s announcements, so enough for now.

Maybe I can do a better job of keeping up for a while.

__________________
Judy
Goal = <135, Current status = RIGHT ON TARGET!
Never give up. Never never never never give up -- Winston Churchill

Judy, congrats on getting through the midterm grading and your practice meet. Really glad your kids are psyched That's a good sign! I know it's a bunch of work--whew--but I suspect Aca Dec is rewarding enough in the long run to be one of those things that keeps you teaching even when you'd rather not. Good work.

__________________
BC
LC Since 1998
Highest Weight 172
Current 104-108

Good morning, Ladies!

Before I forget (again), son Mark finally got a church! It's a small Presbyterian church in North Kansas City. He will be the sole pastor. His first sermon is Nov. 20th, then there's the ordination on Nov. 11 and the Installation in Nov. 18. Looks like I have to go to church!

I've got an early job today. A Target store way up north in St. Joseph . . . a good hour's drive. Scaffolding, too. BIG Sigh. Well, when the $$ comes in, I'll be glad I did it!

I'll check back later to respond to all your posts.

Did lose 1 Chicago pound!

Love ya all!

__________________
Alida
5'1" ~ 59 years old
Highest weight: 165
Atkins 7/10/2004
160/126/125
RE-DO, January 2008:
167/162/135

Horray for Mark! A wonderful Presbyterian minister in Jackson Hole did DS & DDIL's wedding last summer. He was great. Here's a prayer that Mark will find success in his new church.

Be careful on your road trip today.

__________________
Judy
Goal = <135, Current status = RIGHT ON TARGET!
Never give up. Never never never never give up -- Winston Churchill

Good morning everyone!

I actually brought food to school to brown bag today. I usually don't bring anything after 4 years of mostly cooking lunch at home. I went swimming this morning. I even got there early enough to be able to get my ID card picture taken. Weight is not going down. I imagine I shouldn't have had the chocolate kitty litter at school yesterday.

I tried calling my insurance yesterday to see if the surgeries I will need/want? are covered. I still don't know, since I hadn't gotten the surgery code from the doctor.

Brenda, I liked the visual imagry of musice blasting in your house and you tooloing around-alternating between housework and your weights. There are times I like music blasting, when I am swimming is not one of them.

I wish you all a wonderful day!

__________________
Ilse

380 (Highest)/318(9-11-08)/230.2(current)/154
5'6"
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible"
Walt Disney

Alida, congrats to your son. As a Presby elder, it could be my "duty" to attend an ordination! PM or e-mail me the particulars, and I'll see if I can make it.

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

Hi Gang!

I talked to Rachel this morning!!!!! She sounds just as if you would expect her to sound: perky, loving, YOUNG! Just kidding. We are meeting for lunch on Friday in Springfield. She said that her computer time is limited and internet is spotty. She wishes you all well and says she will probably not be back on until they get back. She said that she hasn't been really "home" since August and is missing being settled somewhere. Boy, I would be goin crazy if I were her!

Judy: I've got the laptop set up to share with the PC. I have set documents to share on both computers. But, I still don't know how to access them!! Da*n. I tried using my small "thumb" drive to move stuff, but it moved stuff that I didn't want on there and didn't transfer some of the stuff that I DID want. I have a 3G HD on my PC. It holds ALOT of stuff. ALL my pics for three years, plus all my sermons for a number of years, plus a bunch of applications. I've got all our software filed in a three ring binder to take along in case something fails. I just don't know how to access the "stuff" I want to take. And, no, I haven't tried to see if I can access another network. There isn't anything close here in the condos. I know, because I have my Pocket PC networked, and it doesn't pick up anything except mine. I'll try to take it out today with me and see what happens.

Yeah, we're taking the Lexus. I am aware of that issue about covering things. I haven't decidedd how to pack the car yet. We do have a big lockable car carrier. The Lexus has a privacy screen that will cover a part of the car from behind the back seat. I may try to keep stuff under that screen and take other stuff with us into the motel. Yeah, I know about taking valuables.

Congratulations on your Aca Deca kids. I know how disappointed they were last year. Let's pray real hard for success this year. And good on you for midterm grades. I'm so glad that you have access at school. So good to hear from you.

Brenda: Da*m on losing a long post. I just hate it when that happens to me. Good for you for hopping right back on and posting again. Thanks!!

You are a good model for what to do at home. I have been staving off my absolute terror at being bored by surfing the net. It doesn't do me much good because there isn't anything I can buy, and not much that is particularly interesting. I got the new printer set up and we can now print again. I tried to explain to DH what we CAN'T do since he brought the wrong printer home. He still doesn't get it. But, I have to admit that he only paid $68. for it. It is an HP, and prints both paper and photos. Of course you have to have a "pict-bridge" enabled camera to use it, but, hey! What do you expect for $68.? My PC has a camera card slot on it, so not all is lost. When we get settled, we can buy something a bit more 21st century.

Alida: Be careful today on that scaffolding and on your traveling. I worry about you up on scaffolding and falling. Just call it the "mother" instinct. My own kids won't let me Mother them, so I am transferring it to all my friends! Ha! (of course, my own kids are over 35 and well able to take care of themselves, but what difference does that make????)

Congratulations to your son for finding a church! TTL! When I was ordained it was before there were restrictions about finding a church first. I am so glad. Because in those days, churches weren't too keen on hiring a woman. I would have had to wait years. As it was, I found my first church just a few months after ordination. How exciting for your family! If you need any ideas for an ordination gift, just ask.

Barb: And, how exciting for you to be an elder! Coming from a "free" church tradition, I must admit that I don't know much about Presbyterian polity. We did have a friend who was a Presbyterian minister and he spent a lot of time helping me to understand it. Over the years I have often wished that our polity were more "decent and in order."

Shelley: Hey, welcome to the 21st century, girl with your cable. That's what we have here at home. I love it. As you move into this century with your cable connection, I move back into the 20th with my printer!

So glad that your intern is working out well. That makes your work easier, huh? I wonder how your new boss is doing? Is she respecting all of you veterans?

Well, today is a trip into Boston for me with the dentist. Just to get my mouth guard adjusted. No big deal. Then I get to stop at the Mall and do some returning and shopping. I have to go to Whole Foods Market and get some more bran and whey for Maggies cereal. We have plenty of flax. Used of the last of it this morning.

I'm moving along with my list. The things that I have left to do are tedious and not much fun. But, right now I need to get out of my robe and take a shower and get ready for the day. I've actually managed to get this posting done before 10:30.

Have a good day all.
Peace, Peg

__________________
"Live the questions and some day you will live along into the answers."
Rainer Marie Rilke

Atkins since 2003
5'8" 206.4/197/175
65 years young

Congrat to son Mark! That's great news

__________________
BC
LC Since 1998
Highest Weight 172
Current 104-108

Oh - not turned horizontally. I meant flipped right to left. Your face points left in the atavar and right in the big pic (or vice versa).

__________________
~~~Teelbee
Back to GOAL!!!
start weight: 176/goal range: 137-134/now: 138
Reached goal in Aug. 2003 - 4rd year of maintenance.

Back from Trader Joes and on to homier duties.....

Speaking of Presby's, never been one , but in the town where I went to h.s., my favorite church to visit was Presbyterian. It had the best pipe organ in the area, a massive restored Aeolian-Skinner, and Bach, Dupre, Widor, Franck, Poulenc, and other great composers of organ graced every service. My h.s. choral director was the organist, and I attended many services there, even having the privilege of singing with their choir on several occasions. Not that I have a voice--I don't. But my bf at the time did, and we were a package deal. Thanks for the happy memories, one and all I think as Peg is transported by black gospel, I am likewise by Bach on pipe organ.

Back to your regularly scheduled programming :o

__________________
BC
LC Since 1998
Highest Weight 172
Current 104-108

Peg, "exciting" isn't a word that leaps to mind connected with the office of Presbyterian elder. Still, it is an ordained office on par--albeit with different responsibilities--with Minister of Word and Sacrament (ie. pastor) in administrative authority. I was ordained quite young--under 30--at a time when women had only been accepted as candidates for a few years. Ordination is for life, although one usually serves a limited active term at any given time. Bren, I also think the Presbys have the best music--a great tradition of hymns as well as more modern music--along with a highly educated and professional approach to choral and instrumental music in large urban congregations like mine (2000 members).

Presbyterian polity--especially as it gets to the national level--can be just as irritating as any other organization's. But NO ONE dictates individual belief from the top. As a "connectional church," we must work our way through constitutional issues. Currently the hot subject is the ordination of GLBT individuals. I believe strongly that the constitution should permit decisions about this at the congregational level--currently not the case. It may be another two decades of "spiritual discernment" before the dunderheads come around on this.

TMI? Well, this is a big part of my life, so there you are.

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

Hi guys,
Wow...again, a very busy day in here...lots of conversation...I love it!!

Alida, congrats to your son! I know you and he are so excited at this wonderful opportunity for him. I'm sorry if I wasn't paying attention if this has been mentioned, but is he married? Children? Will he move to that area or commute?

Peg, I can't believe it's only 3 weeks before your CC(cross country) adventure! Sure wish you were coming through OOOOOOklahoma! Yeah, I know...<sigh>...Oklahoma just isn't a vacation destination for many folks We can really show folks a good time here in the heartland, but we can also show you alot of oil dericks, and cows too...LOL. Well, someday, woman, I bet we'll get to meet! Just have to do a little planning! I'm so excited you and Rachel will be getting together. Remember...pictures please!!!!

Ms Brenda! So it sounds like you are *winterizing* your deck, yes? I have some plants in the flower beds that need to be pulled...they are definitely frazzled.
We are kind of in the same boat with Judy...had a record breaking high of 92 today...aacckkk! Makes me want to head back to the high country...and I'm NOT kidding I have noticed though, on my drive from work, there are some trees that are starting to get their lovely yellow-gold hues. DH said he noticed some changing foliage on his trip to Wichita a few days ago also.

Judy, I hear ya on the decorating for the holidays. That is exactly why I have not put up a tree the last 2 Christmases. Our kiddos wanted to start their own tradition at their home in CA, and rightfully so. So I just can't see going to all the effort for just DH and I. We hardly do any entertaining; not by our choice, but because we work such crazy hours, it's not very conducive to a big social life...LOL. I'm sure I would be lots of fun..."well, folks, I hope you enjoyed your wine and cheese, but it's late, <8pm> and I must turn in...we must do this again when I can stay up until 9pm..." LOL. And to tell the truth, I used to decorate big time, right down to the holiday printed toliet paper in all the bathrooms...LOL....but the last time I did the all out decorating and the kids didn't come home, it made me depressed as heck. So, I figure this little *so ugly it's cute* tree will do just fine this year.

We had a very pleasant day at work today. We were able to sit down and have a little impromptu meeting with our new manager. I think she will do fine if she can navigate the political waters...and boy can they run deep. Our little hospital is having growing pains, so we all are excited about some of the changes that will be coming, and not so excited about others. But, in nursing, change is pretty much a constant, so it's something we get used to...LOL. Anyway, the new RN that is working with me this week is doing super, and we really had a chance to let our hair down today in pre-op after all the the patients were gone. We laughed until our sides hurt! Talk about a great stress reducer Tomorrow will be busy again, but it will be OK.

Over the last few months I have been having some difficulties sleeping. I can't *turn my brain off*...I think I've mentioned this, and we even lightly touched on the subject. Well, I went to the HFS Saturday, and on the spur of the moment decided I would buy some herbal sleep aids. After a few nights of *tweaking*, I think I have hit upon a combination for myself that allows me to get to sleep, STAY asleep, and wake up at 0400 with NO residual or wrung out feelings. I am truly amazed!

Teel, are you recovered from all your entertaining? I think it would take me a few days to get back to normal! Like I said, we entertain so rarely, it would probably *do me in*...LOL.

Barb and Ilse...hi to you! Hope all is well.

How long will Donna be gone? 2 weeks?...or did I imagine that?

OK.....guess I will put my breakfast and lunch together for tomorrow, and think about watching a bit of TV, then hitting the hay.

later, ladies...

PS.......I forgot to mention, today was gym day. I did 63 min of cardio, 20 on stairmaster, and 43 min on TM with extreme inclines, for a 427 calorie burn.
Tomorrow I meet with the personal trainer. Sure hope she can get me on the right track!

later...

__________________
Shelley


Visit Kassie's Korner


"A goal without a plan is just a wish."
--Antoine de Saint Exupery

I’m SOONER born,
And SOONER bred,
And when I die,
I’ll be SOONER dead!
GO SOONERS!
I be ready for some football!

One little walker-runner Dude for every 10 miles!

A real quick one......... but I had to get this question in,

Shelley, what the heck is it?!? DH falls asleep about 9:00 and is most often up before 3:00. He really suffers from lack of sleep--- he can go to sleep, but just can't stay asleep.

__________________
Judy
Goal = <135, Current status = RIGHT ON TARGET!
Never give up. Never never never never give up -- Winston Churchill