Hello all, even though I asked the question yesterday - I realized that I was likely to be the first person to see February 1st - so I thought I'd start the thread.

I'm not a moderator so I can't move posts - but here we are!

To those new to this thread... This is what Brenda wrote last month and it's perfect:

Welcome to the Tracking Thread, where Vets support each other on the journey called Maintenance. Feel free to join us!

To my fellow vet posters (or is that posers ) just a quick note to say Happy February...!!

and now, even though it's 9:30am, I'm going back to bed with a nasty head cold which seems to have come out of nowhere and smacked me, but good!

__________________
Hugs, Rachel







(the horn is in honor of DH!)
Quien canta, sus males espanta... ("She who sings fightens away her ills") Miguel de Cervantes

Hi Gang!

Even though its only 10:12 pm on January 31st, let me be the second one to welcome you to the February Tracking (ahem!) thread.

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
64-3/4 years young

Good February 1st!

Rachel: Vet "Posers!" That's me, all right. I am posing as a Vet!

WooHoo on the power & the 142! BooHoo on the cold. I hope you can nip that one in the bud.

Wouldn't it be a stitch if you actually made it to Oooklahoma? Here you are, a million miles away. Actually, (and I'm speaking for Peg here) March 25-26 may well be the dates. Fingers crossed this can work out!

I don't have a clue what the jeweler's commission would be. I don't even know what the standard mark-up is on jewelery. Probably depends on whether you are Tiffany's or a discount house! Only thing I can say is that: 1) jeweler has NO investment in this; 2) whatever he makes on commission is purely gravy for very little work; and, 3) he will try to make as much as he can and give me as little as possible. Do I sound skeptical? HA!

Ilse, basically, then, you are counting calories. And having more frequent, smaller meals, along with snacks and a treat sounds very doable. What kind of treat, though, is 50 calories? Sugar free jello? Also, you were wondering if you needed to lower your daily calorie count. I don't think so. Not at your height and weight. Try going to: http://www.weightlossforgood.co.uk/bmr_calculator.htm

This is a nifty site. Enter your height and weight and the calculator will tell you how many calories your body needs just to exist (your basal metabolic rate). If you look on the left, you'll see other pages for the site. Check out the Daily Calorie Calculator, too.

Barb, Wow. 60 bucks for $400 worth of goodies. I'd say you got a very good deal!

I had to laugh at your comment about NOT being a Low Carb Saint. Awww. You mean that pedestal I put you on is too high?????

Peg, oh, I am so sorry about your friend's passing. The Memorial Service sounds uplifting and the perfect way to celebrate her life.

It also sounds like you are really making an effort to connect with "old friends." Good for you!

Also glad to hear I am not the only person who procrastinates. I know if Bob were out of town for a month or so, everything that's supposed to be done while he's gone would be done during the last week (or even day)!

Judy, for what it's worth, I SAW the picture, and it's still there on my computer. Wonder what's up with that?

YEA!!! You are a woman on a mission. Quiting Aca Dec AND summer school in one fell swoop. Good for you!

Not knowing what an AP reader is, I googled it. Aha. But ya know what? The site tells all about it, but NOT what "AP" stands for. Can you enlighten me? Perhaps "Advanced Placement?" Or is this a mysterious code that only educators know?

Shelley, Brenda, Terry & Donna:

Today is another "off" day for me. But I am struggling with a design for etch signage. The company's logo is a nightmare. I have to convert it to a format that my sign company can accept for their plotter. So far I've spent about three hours on it and I am not happy with it. I'll try to post it below.

Have a great day, one and all!

Attached Thumbnails

 

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

Alida, the graphic is beautiful. I can see why you would think it is a nightmare.

Yes, AP does stand for Advanced Placement. I teach a Macroeconomics course that allows the students to get college credit for Macro if they score high enough on an end of course exam. The exam has two parts --- 60 multiple choice questions, and 3 "free response" (essay) questions. I will be part of a group that will spend a week grading all the essay questions from across the country. To really break it down, I will grade just one Macro question for the whole week. My husband thinks I may be nuts.

__________________
Judy
highest = 180, goal = 140
Every single time I put food in my mouth, it matters. No more fooling myself!

G'morning, gang!
I'm off today!!!! Since I have a new partner in pre-op, and we seem to not have such a shortage on staff, my manager has ok'd some *creative* scheduling. So, my new partner and I both expressed the desire to do 4 day work weeks, and so far, we've been able to manage it. Alas, this probably won't last to much longer though. We have 2 nurses who will be out on surgery leave. One will be out the whole month of February, and the other nurse will be out mid April to mid May, I think. Oh well, it's nice while we can do it.

Peg, no worries! I didn't think you were ignoring me (or anyone)! LOL. Shoot, I have good intentions everytime I post of *speaking* to everyone, but the CRS kicks in, and I sometimes forget to say hey to someone...NOT intentional...believe me.

Hey Bren.....missed a whole page eh????? LOL....now THAT sounds like something I would do! If you can make it to OOOOOOklahoma.....I may suggest another motel closer to the airport. Again, I can pick anyone up at anytime from the airport...I would be delighted to do so!!!!

Judy...I saw the pic!!!!! Whoa!!!! That pilot deserved to be grounded!!!!! What was he thinking!!???!!!! Could your hubby go to Nebraska with you this summer? Then perhaps, after you finished your *job* you could do another road trip? Hey...instant vacation $$$$!!!!

Barb....still on your Rocky mountain high???? I'm still jealous!! Yep...pictures please!!!!
I need a snow scenery fix!!!! LOL. Woohoo for your *big score* at CWC!!!!! I love that place!

Donna.....you hubby gets home today, right? Hope you get back in your routines soon. I have also learned to become pretty *self sufficient* as well. Won't go into it in detail, but as long as I have my 'puter, and a good cup of green tea, I'm a happy camper...LOL.

Alida...you hang in there kiddo! There was no reason for that nurse to act all snitty! Patients have *combination* surgeries all the time. My gawd! It just makes sense not to put the body under anesthesia twice if once will get the job done! Stand your ground. You may have to wait an extra week or 2 until the surgeons can coordinate, but it's worth it if it can be done. Still sending you good vibes and (((hugs)))!

Rachel....so glad things seem to be looking up in Tbilsi. Man, I was beginning to worry about you guys! Keeping my fingers crossed you can make to OOOOOklahoma!!!!
Again....I can pick ya up anytime...just get here if ya can!

Ilse....I saw a segment on TV about the *3 hour* diet. It makes sense to me.
I'm glad you are having success with it. Keep on keepin' on, girl!

Teeeeeel.........where are you??????? Busy, I bet. Hoping you are getting the finishing touches on your *nest* and getting all re-settled. Post when you can...we miss ya!!!

Alrighty..so much for my good intentions of getting to the gym by 0730.....har!!!!
I may be fast becoming the new President of the Procrastinator's Club(here to forward know as the Big *P* club!!!) ha!

Back later, chickadees!
(((hugs)))

__________________
~~~~
Shelley
~~~~

Visit Kassie's Korner



Life deserves a treat now and again, but life also deserves being healthy[with required disipline] to make it worth living!

Good morning!

I'm pretty sure AP stands for Advanced Placement. I took a couple of the tests when I was in high school myself. Why does an AP student need a reader (I've done it for ACT and it's very tedious to do!) Generally, when I've read ACT tests to students, it's been because they don't read well enough to read the tests themselves. I know there is a Braille version and tapes of tests too.

I am back to 295.5. Yesterday seemed like a struggle. I don't think I did anything major to "rock the boat" and cheat. I missed my afternoon snack. I really wanted something salty, but only had sweet things that were calorie appropriate.

According to that web site, Alida, I should have around 2006 calories at the weight I am at and 1416 calories at my goal weight. Yesterday, I was around 1435 caloires. 50 calorie treats can be: a small quantity of small cookies (like 4 animal crackers), a small candy (like 4-5 Hershey's Bites), a slice of reduced calorie cheese), some nuts, a couple of crackers, some fruit, 1 cup of air-popped popcorn, etc. Or, the 50 calories can be added to a meal.

I went to Wal-Mart after work. I ended up buying some fleece tops (originally $14.73 on sale for $5). I also got a bunch of soups and 100 calorie snack packs to have appropriate choices available. I brought some of the stuff in to work, so I don't have to go out to eat.

Well, the next class is starting.

I wish you all well.

__________________
Ilse

380/286(current)/154
5'6"
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible"
Walt Disney

Ilse, An AP Reader is a "grader" for the free response section.

__________________
Judy
highest = 180, goal = 140
Every single time I put food in my mouth, it matters. No more fooling myself!

Hi Gang!

Since it is now February in California, I can "officially" post!

I am doing anything I can do procrastinate posting the damage to our credit cards while dh was gone to the excel program for our budget. It shows how far "over" or "under" budget we are! Yikes! I suspect that it will show that I NEED to work! Sheesh.

Well, 10 days and dh will be home from his adventures in India. From his emails it sounds as if he has really had a good time and a productive time. Last Sunday he preached to 1000 people in a church in Nagaland. It is such a total rush to preach to a full church! We don't get a chance to do that very often here in the States. He is back in Jorhat now, and will leave the middle of next week for a few days vacation in Darjeeling. Then he flies from there to Calcutta, to Malasia, and then to L.A. He arrives home a week from Saturday.

Rachel: I am so glad that you had a day of heat and power. This morning's news had film of the leaders in the government in Tblisis taking swings at each other. Sometimes I think our two parties might solve more that way. (Only kidding).

To the rest of you: I will write more later. I need to get this d**n spreadsheet done so that I can live with the shock for a few days before he gets home!

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
64-3/4 years young

Morning all. Today is the day that my dh comes home. Mixed feelings about it but it will be good. When I woke up this morning (grumpy) and did everything backwards from my usual routine, I knew it was going to be a crazy day. Just got a call from dh who is royally pissed at our neice who was working for him. She wanted to go home last night and he told her no...they were in the middle of a terrible snowstorm. So, when he left the room this morning at 7 he told her to wait until at least 10 so the sand and salt trucks could get a layer on the road. She didn't listen and left about 10 minutes after he did. Long story short....she put her car in the ditch. She's okay and the car just has a big dent in the fender (that we know of), but she had to hitch a ride back to town and get dh to call a tow truck. She left all of her belongings in the car too. She could end up with nothing left in it. You'd think these kids would listen to people who are experienced in driving in this climate but no. She's 24 and obviously knows it all. Now we'll see how she likes having to take her final paycheque and using it to fix the dent in her new car.

A new month and a busy one. You just have to love tax time! I've already had calls from our accountant with questions and wanting me to dig up paperwork. No wonder I'm grouchy today. My boss had better stay away or I'll be jumping down his throat. lol

Peg: Do you have to enter the figures for your "secret" credit card too? I did major damage to mine on the weekend but dh won't be seeing the bill for that one. It goes straight into my purse for me to pay and him not to know about. lol The time will go quickly now until your dh gets home. Make sure you do all the things you wanted to do (visiting, shopping etc), cause you'll run out of time like I did.

Ilse: Wow...that was such a deal on the fleece tops. I'd have bought one in every colour for $5.

Shelley: Enjoy your time off, you sure deserve it. 4 day work week...I'd love that.

Alida: Get the etching done? I sure envy the creative side of you. The best I can do is scrapbooking and that can drive me nuts sometimes. I spent the last two nights working on a page and really like it, but I wanted to put one more thing in a corner. Once I had decided what I wanted I glued it in and immediately hated it. I must have gone back to that page 4 times last night trying to decide if I should rip it out or just leave it. I've left it for now, but might just change it yet. Hey...women are allowed to change their minds.

Rachel: Heat, power, hot water, how much better could life get. Isn't it funny how we take these things for granted until we don't have them. Enjoy!!

Judy: I didn't get to see the picture either. Strange. How's Lexie doing? And dh, is he better now? Sure hope so. That was some bout he had.

Well, better get back to work on my month end "stuff". Have a good one, ladies.

__________________
Donna
238.5/166.4/150
I will see my goal weight again!

Hey gang, jumping in to February here, too.

Catching up a little:

Rachel: I don't think it matters which Deon Meyer book you start with. The characters don't seem to overlap much. I've just started Heart of the Hunter, but have had to pause after a description of animal cruelty in the first chapter. Off putting for this particular dog person <sigh>.....I did really love Dead at Daybreak and I recommend it. I doubt if it matters which you start with. The major character in Heart is a minor one in Dead. Yea! Water, heat, light, civilization! But a cold now? Ack!!!

Shelley: If I do come to OOOOOooooklahoma , I'll see if I can bunk at my cousin's, and rent a car. That way you won't have airport duty for me. Enjoy those 4 day weeks, gal!

Alida, I really like the etching, but can imagine how difficult it was. Whew. Hope your jeweler is a good guy and only requires a modest commission. He'll make plenty, anyway. Good luck on the sale.

Peg, I love Donna's question about entering the figures on your own secret credit card, LOL!!! Is the memorial service today? I've lost track, but I know you have many activities and events the next few days. Enjoy.

Donna, your niece sounds like a girl that will only learn from experience, maybe several experiences. That's too bad, isn't it? I do, also, totally understand about having somewhat mixed emotions when DH's return home. Can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em Yup, I'm getting the tax stuff together, myself. Oh joy, eh?

Barb, Donna, Ilse, big WOOHOO on your Coldwater Creek, Sears and Walmart finds. Love it when I can snag good stuff on clearance. In Rochester, I "happened" to wander into Talbot's Petite and snagged a lighter weight stadium length coat. It's a black, hmmm more of a raincoat material with a leopard print furish collar and cuffs. AND, it's reversable to a full leopard print on the other side. If you guys knew me, you would know this is SO NOT ME But it was so cute on (IMO, natch) that I couldn't resist. And of course, it was a song. Not as good a buy as you guys got, but 2/3 off brought it into "why not" territory.
_____________
I've been up to my elbows today, but not much accomplished that I can see. Tomorrow, Khaki has another ultrasound at the specialty clinic, bless her little heart. It's hard on both of us!

Sheesh, got to run for now. Looks like a DH is home early

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

FUNNY, Donna! Not a chance!!
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
64-3/4 years young

Hey all, just up from bed (it's 2pm)... I am one sick doggie, let me tell you - wowser! fever, aches, head/neck congestions and the fatigue is overwhelming...

Just wanted to check in... I'm not weighing or tracking... I'm sure I'm coming in at way, way low cals and I've been doing some creamy red pepper soup I made which is high in carbs but all veggie carbs so no biggie... I just don't have the energy... <<sigh>>

Alida, today being Thursday, you are very much in my thoughts?. Much love to you? and yes, there is a small chance I might make it to OKC ? it would be a near last minute decision because we don?t know yet when we are going to be in the US for the whole job hunt thing?

The design was gorgeous, just gorgeous. It seemed almost art nouveau to me and one of my favorite ?periods? of decorative arts is the Art Nouveau period. When we were in Prague I just flipped at the Mucha museum and even bought one of the books ? cool, cool stuff? you are just so talented.

Shelley, sounds like the shorter week is just the ticket ? how wonderful! Even if it does end up to be sort of short term.

Peg, my bf here, Cathy received this email from her son, ?It's nice to see that Georgia has been in the American news more and more frequently. Today, on ABC news they showed an all-out brawl in Georgia's parliament (chairs being thrown, punching, kicking, etc.) The sad thing was, I already knew it was Georgian politicians before they even mentioned what country it was.?

Yeah, I?m telling you guys, 70 years of soviet living would turn most of us into raving maniacs ? you can?t imagine how tough it is to have a business meeting with a group of Georgians ? all ?over? talking each other? if you?re prone to migraines, this is not the culture for you!

Donna, sorry about the DN, but they do sort of have to learn the hard way, don?t they!?

Brenda, I?m thinking of putting Dead at Daybreak in my audible.com ?Next Listen? list so I get that on audio ? great for workouts (I need serious diversion when exercising otherwise I?m bored to tears).

'k dahlinks... I'm going for some lemon tea and then back to bed - this visit about wore me out! Ugh!

__________________
Hugs, Rachel







(the horn is in honor of DH!)
Quien canta, sus males espanta... ("She who sings fightens away her ills") Miguel de Cervantes

Groundhog Day! It's still dark outside, but I expect the li'l critter WILL see his shadow in KC, and we'll get the rest of winter. Not that January was very wintery.

I'm home. We had a pleasant drive across the High Plains of Colorado and through the Flint Hills of Kansas yesterday. Ten hours from door to door. We listened for three hours to Rush Limbaugh's take on the President's State of the Union speech (which we didn't watch). That was entertaining. I hesitate to embrace partisanship, but even though my views are way on the liberal end, I'll confess I'm NOT a Democrat,

This trip, I traveled both up and down the mountains in darkness, so missed seeing that scenery--and the chance to see the bighorn sheep. It snowed off and on while I was in the mts., but the temp stayed around 30. They do take care of plowing the streets and highways very promptly up there. All in all, a good, relaxing time. I'm half finished with a David Baldacci thriller I found on my sister's bookshelf.

We saw Nanny McPhee, Emma Thompson's new "fairy tale." Very colorful and entertaining. Fun for grown-ups, and a hoot for kids.

Rachel, hope you'll be feeling better fast. Stress probably contributed to your vulnerability to a bug.

Alida, today is the next step in your diagnostics? All good thoughts. That etch design is complicated, but very beautiful--lots of tiny detail. I can only imagine the precision your art demands. One of my artist friends at Hallmark is a Mucha collector. He recently loaned many of his pieces for an exhibit at the company, and it is splendid.

Peg, Donna--best wishes reorienting to life with dh's at home. Life in partnership is always a kind of three-legged race, if you get the picture.

Think I'll wear one of my new sweaters today. Since I'll be at the office, I'll be sitting in front of the screen all day once again, and will check in later.

TTFN (ta-ta for now).

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


My Fitday Journal

Good Morning!

Poor Rachel! You've got a bad one from the sounds of it. And it sure sounds like more than a cold. Flu? Bless your heart for posting. Please don't worry about LC right now. Rest, rest and more rest and lots of liquids. Creamy hot pepper soup? That sounds delicious! Hoping you have heat, power and hot water every day now. Three less things to worry about while your sick. Take care of yourself, sweetie!

On the Georgian melee . . . methinks they are an emotional people! I missed the news on that. Must have been quite a sight!

Brenda, oh nuts. I HATE starting a book and then discovering any type of animal cruelty. I skip that part. There's a movie coming out about a bunch of Eskimo sled dogs that have to be abondoned. I'd love to see it. But first I have to find out if any of the dogs die. If they do, I'll pass on the movie. Can't even watch Bambi. That's a VIVID childhood memory. Running out of the movie when Bambi's mom gets killed. I was hysterical and my mom had to take me home.

To clarify that logo above ? I did not design it and have not etched it yet. A signage template has to be made by a sign company. They cut a very low-tack vinyl on a plotter. All the lines on the copy I give them have to be clear and sharp. The design is done in Adobe Illustrator. Vector lines and type characters converted to outlines. (TMI?) Since the copy I got from my customer was unusable, I had to completely re-do the logo in Illustrator. But it was fun. I love doing that type of work!

Wishing a good outcome for Khaki's ultrasound today!

Donna, your husband is HOME! Here's hoping the transition goes smoothly for you. Also hoping he can put a smile back on your face!

Whew. Your niece sure is lucky. Bullheaded, but lucky! Also, I am sorry I did not mention this earlier ? you knew that person who was killed in the auto accident? Oh, Donna, I am so sorry! The older I get, the more snow on the streets scares me. And ice? I'd stay home for my own funeral.

Ilse, just a reminder on those calorie counts at that website. Not sure which counter you used, but the BMR count is considered "minimum" calories just so your body can function. The calorie counter calculator calculates the number of calories to maintain your exisiting weight. Either way, if you are shooting for 1450 calories/day, my gosh, I would think you would not have to go any lower!

And good for you if you can only have a couple of small cookies! I really have to banish all that stuff! Any sugar carbs gets the Craving Monster going!

Peg, did you get that spreadsheet done? Nothing like seeing it in black and white to bring one back to reality! If it is more red than black, at least you can tell DH you have a chance to work again back in MA.

Shelley, how wonderful to enjoy some 4-day work weeks for a while! That sure does wonders for you, doesn't it? With the surgery schedule a little lighter now, do you still have to go in real early? Although I would imagine early surgeries are common. I know I prefer them, especially when you can't eat or drink about 12 hours before a surgery.

Hmm. I wouldn't worry that you didn't get to the gym by 7:30. But that's me talking. Someone who hasn't seen the inside of a gym in, oh, about 20 years!

Yup. I plan to "stick to my guns" on the dual surgery. Thank you so much for mentioning it. and that's exactly what I figured. May have to wait a few extra weeks for both doctors to have an available date and time. Not even sure if that's necesary yet. The MRI is this morning. Then I guess it will take another week for the results. Hurry up and wait.

Judy, thanks for the AP explanation. Your husband may think you're nuts, but I think it would be, well, maybe not fun perse, but very interesting to be with your peers for a week and share ideas. I would also think grading just one question would not be bad. Your mind will not have to switch gears. But, how many tests are we talking about here? For the whole country????

How's Lexie???? Getting better at bladder control? Sleeping better? She's such a "cuddle umpkins." ? I got that phrase from a Stephanie Plum mystery. Sorta descriptive, isn't it?

Terry, hoping all is going WELL!

Barb, still in the mountains? Aha. I just opened a new LCE screen, and there you were, back home already! I am so glad the trip home went smoothly. Did you also have two dogs in the car? I remember a car trip to Colorado for skiing. Bob told me to look out the window and watch for bighorns. I did see them! Very regal and majestic. Sorry you missed that. Next trip!

Back to work and staring at a blank screen. What are your projects now? Valentine's, 2007?

Thank you all for remembering today is MRI Day. ((Sigh)) Yes, I'm nervous. I want all this over so I can get on with my life.

I think we may have some really big jobs coming up. Several commercial quotes are coming through, and it's the security film with the Dow 995 caulking. The last large job we did, I had a crew in to do it. They charged an arm and a leg, but it was worth it. I know Bob is going to want me to do all this myself (along with my assistant) so we can make more profit. Yikes. All I can say is that it will take forever, and I will insist on buying a POWER caulk gun. They run about $250, but when you have to caulk about a gazillion lineal feet, it's worth it. What really takes the time is the masking. You have to run tape along all four sides of the window, both on the glass and the frame. Caulk, then remove the tape, which is filled with black, goopy caulk. Aarrghhh. But it's lots of $$$.

Yikes. 6:30. Got to get going! Have a great day!

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

Good morning!

I hope all is well with you.

Yesterday, I stopped to check out a "mom & pop" supermarket a teacher told me about. It seemed to be a bit Italian in flavor. I didn't get anything. I went there, because I heard they made sausage made with salmon. I didn't see any sausage.

Not much else new. Weight is up 1/2 pound again.

Expecting students here any moment.

I wish you all a happy day!

__________________
Ilse

380/286(current)/154
5'6"
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible"
Walt Disney