Hi Gang!

Bren: So impressed that you can think funny in the A.M. I can't even think of a witty answer! Do you think that you can pick me up one of those fancy knitting bag things that you have? It's the one with the strap to carry and then that opens to sit? I'll pay you when I see you, if you can. I also need a size 3 29" circular needles. If you are going by the knitting store, will you pick up one for me? I'm out of time here. Been looking for one of those bags, but can't find one here.

Judy: I continue to pray that you will find your way up to OKC this weekend. I just don't think that I can go without seeing you.
:crying:
Shelley: Thanks for the affirmation. Needed!!! Please send me an email about the plans for Saturday. We need to know where to land, and how to plan. Thanks.

Barb: Oh, I do so envy you driving around in that BIG WEATHER. I love it!! Ann Arbor had so much better BIG WEATHER than we do in MA. Of course, all SoCa can manage is rain. But, there are th earthquakes. Always a little scary.

Terry, Donna, Ilse, have a good day!

__________________
"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

Peg, yup, I think I know who has the knitting bag. They come in black like mine, or "canvas" colored. If they have both, do you have a preference?

Also, any preferences in brand of circs? Size 3! No wonder you have a million stitches on the needle for that sweater

You are on countdown FOR SURE. Hope you can check in again a time or two before you take off.

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

Good morning everyone. You are all so up beat and excited about this weekend....sure makes me feel like I wish I could be there. I want to know EVERYTHING that you guys do and say, okay?

Everyone is our little town is in shock. Last weekend a 27 year old fellow went out snowmobiling, came home, sat in his chair and died of a heart attack. Yesterday a 32 year old fellow played hockey, got in his car to drive home and had a heart attack while on the way home. He died also. I knew both of these fellows. Kind of scary that they were so young....but, there is talk that they both did drugs, so that is probably a factor in it.

Saturday, we bought the crown moulding. Woohoo! Tonight I'll paint it and it can be put up tomorrow night.....I hope. Then I just have to paint all the trim and the room is done!!!!!

Yesterday we headed to town. Dh is feeling guilty that he's going to yet another dart tournament this weekend and leaving me behind. So, he decided we should go to town. Fine by me. But, I've decided that I'm going again next weekend by myself. Every place that I said I wanted to go to I had to have a good reason, and he wanted to know how much things would cost! I think the accountant got to him, and now he's going to be penny concious. Have to put a stop to that soon. I'm looking for a pale pink zipper hoodie and don't want to drag him along into the stores when I'm clothes shopping. I did manage to get into Michael's and load up on scrapbooking supplies. Now I just need to find some time to play with them.

Judy: What rotten luck you've been having. I'm hoping that's it and you're heading into good luck now. Hope you can make it to the convergence.

I was wondering how everyone was this morning when I heard the kind of weather you've all been getting. Crappy. Glad to hear everyone is okay. We've had gorgeous weather here. Blue skies and sunshine. Not really warm, but it's getting there. Lots of goodies popping up out of the ground, even my honeysuckle has tiny leaves coming out. Such a good sign!

Well, I've finally come to the conclusion that it's time to get rid of my "fat" clothes. I've kept this weight off (well, sort of) for 3 years now, so I guess it's about time. Next time the Boys and Girls Club phones that they are coming to our area for collections, they get it all. As dh says...if I should gain weight again, all these clothes will be outdates anyway. And yes, bite his tongue that I should gain the weight.

I've done really crappy with getting these few pounds off. Wracking my brain trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong. Saturday, I had a One Minute Muffin and again gained on Sunday. As of today I'm 157.5! It finally hit me....I don't think I'm eating enough veggies. I have salad every day and sometimes twice, but lots of times I don't have a second veggie. I'm going to try eating more of them and see if it makes a difference.

I talked to my daughter in law on Friday. She wanted to know if I wanted to buy a hanging planter from my grandaughter's school. I said yes and asked if she wanted the money right away as we were going to town on Sunday. So, she said they would be home all day and to stop in. I was so excited about seeing my grandkids again. I don't think I've ever been so hurt as I was when we got there to find she had sent my grandaughter over to her other grandmothers and taken the other two boys into town . The only one home was my son. We had bought a couple of little toys for the kids and a candy necklace each. Had to leave them on the kitchen table. I was sure I would have at least had a phone call last night but no. And, to make it worse, my son told me that one of the little guys was sick and had a fever of 102 and she dragged him shopping anyway. It's getting harder and harder to bite my tongue!

Talk to you all tomorrow. Looks the the "countdown of sleeps" is started.for the convergence. lol

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

We're going to have hot water TONIGHT!!! The gas company is connecting it right now. It will probably take a couple of hours for the hot water heater to recover. After that we are back in business. :jump:

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

Hooray, Judy!!! It's the simple things in life like hot water and electricity that makes us gals happy!
Now, I'm waiting for your second *positive* announcement that you are coming to OKC on Saturday! <insert crossed fingers here>.

I may get to be off the rest of the week! I can't believe it!! This week is spring break here in OK as well; the surgery schedule is almost empty...many cancellations and shifting for later in the month. Anyhoo....I'm the furlough queen at work...LOL, and the boss asked me if I wanted to take Weds off to go with my Thurs and Friday, and I said yes!...of course...hehe.
Then after spring break, all heck will break loose, and one of our nurses goes on surgery leave, so it'll be back to busier than busy most likely.

The tile guy just called and said he was coming by to take the measurements for the back splash for my kitchen re-do....WOOHOO!!! I will go pick out the tile tomorrow I guess. Wow...this is moving along pretty good.

Hi to everyone...I need to scoot and clear away a few things in the kitchen before said tile guy arrives.

I'll try to have coffee with you all in the morning!
Same Bat time...same Bat channel....anyone remember that one?...LOL.

later, chickadees!
S.

__________________
~~~~
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!

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

D'ya think it would do any good if I called him???

__________________
"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

JUDY, Oh Judy, I do understand, but I just want to cry. Dang. Poo. Really. I understand but I'm still going to hold out a little hope, ok?
__________________________________

Shell, the rest of the week off??? Another big WOOHOO for you, too! Just don't spend it cleaning house, ok? Can't wait to see your tile sample

Oh LOL, shades of the Dynamic Duo! Tune in same time next week! Same Bat Time, Same Bat Channel. It's just a whiff of BAT GAS, Commissioner. Don't worry, it's harmless.....

Donna, what a shame those two men both died so young. I know it hits a small town very hard to lose two so unexpectedly.

Hey, major decision getting rid of those fat clothes for you. I'm so glad you are finally ready to do it, and make a commitment that this new life and body are the "real you!" Congrats on a major step. Now you go out and find that pink hoodie, sans DH!!! You know, I saw such a cute one in January. However it was at the Mayo Clinic gift shop for sale as part of their breast cancer support and cost $50! I loved it, but not $50 worth :o

I also agree on upping your veggies, which at least will be easier in the coming months as produce starts appearing. More veggies!! Even the dreaded Brussels Sprouts!!!! (Ducking as Shell flings green balls at me )

Let us know how the molding looks tomorrow, ok? Hugs, too, on missing a visit with your grandkids. What was your DIL thinking????

TB, where are ya, Girlfriend?? Any more egret sightings? How was the cold snap there?

__________________
Good news from the Dr. today. After some confusion, from what I gather the verdict is that I don't have a broken rib (which I really didn't think was true, anyway). I do have, are you ready, costochondritis. Big word for basically an inflammation of the cartilege surrounding the ribs. I think the confusion centered on the first x-rays showing some unclear artifacts from a long ago car accident. So long ago, I'd completely forgotten. Yea!!!

And, oh joy, the most wonderful strawberries for dinner...still smiling!

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

Ya know, I'm going shopping for a miracle stick tomorrow.....

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

Good morning!

Judy, :crying: I am so sad you cannot come. But I do understand about picking battles. If your Bobby is on a rant about $$, now is probably not a good time. But being ever hopeful that something may change between now and Friday, think of it this way: if the gas leak happened two weeks from now, you would have already gone to the convergence and because there is so little $$ involved in the convergence, Bobby would not have given it a second thought. Take the flat panel TV we got for the kitchen. I think it was around $500-$600. I remember some crap happening a few weeks after we got the TV, when that $$ would have come in handy. But Bob didn't even say once "I wish we did not buy that TV." All of us getting together is such a rare occurrence, especially with Rachel! But in the end, you do what you have to do. (((HUGS)))

At least you can now have your coffee and Whew! on that computer being OK. Oh! And great news that the blood work came back GOOD!

Peg, LOL! Do you want to place an order for anything from KC? Barbecue Sauce?

OMG. You leave TODAY!!!! You may not even see this until later tonight or tomorrow. I hope all the farewells went well and leave-taking went without a hitch.

Brenda, did I miss something? What's a Miracle Stick? Or is it a magical stick you can wave in the air to make everything and everyone BETTER? If you find one, buy TWO. I'll pay you when I see you!

Hmm. Costochondritis? When I first read that I thought it was COSTCOchondritis and was waiting for the punchline about shopping too much at Costco. Hoping this inflammation is something that can be taken care of with a little bout with some drugs.

Donna, what sad news about those two young men. One often reads about young people (and it seems to be more with men than women) dying suddenly (after exertion) due to some heart ailment that was undetected. When you're young, you don't think about a bad heart!

Good decision about the FAT clothes! In spite of those few extra pounds now, you know they will be history in just a short time. You just may be on to something with more veggies. One thing I know I should change is the dressing on my salad. I've switched to a one-carb Blue Cheese dressing. While I was one OWL, I made my own with olive oil and ACV. I think after the convergence I may have to settle down with a week or two of Induction!

Bummer about missing your grandkids. I think Brenda asked "What was your DIL thinking?" That's just it, she wasn't thinking at all! I don't think she realizes what a treat it is for you to visit with your grandchildren.

Once your rooms is DONE, please take some pictures! Include the DR table, too!

How's Lucy doing?

Barb, we are probably posting at the same time again. BUMMER on the hail dents! Funny that we live only about 10-15 miles apart and I did not get the hail or very much rain either. That's probably due to the fact that we now have a HAIL PROOF roof. Spent extra for it. Still waiting to see if it works, LOL.

Did I miss something? Your brother is coming from Atlanta after all?

Shelley, WHOOHOO! on the extra days off! Could not have come at a better time.

Bat time? I remember that! Batman was a fun show. BAM!

-----------------

I need to get my day going. -- Insert rant -- I was so tired and SORE last night when I got home from the job. I am being used as FREE labor. I know it is not intentional, but nevertheless there it is. I don't think they realize how hard it is for me, my wrists and my thumbs. When I had the business, I would schedule jobs in such a way that I could handle them. The new owners schedule as if I were a 20-year-old 6 ft. tall guy. I am supposed to be training, not doing. Also, when I told them I would give them 60 hours of training, with some on-the-job, I did not envision doing half the windows myself. BUT I am also not the type of person to just sit around watching Randy do all the windows. We'd be there forever! Plus, I mentioned to him yesterday that he really needed to practice more at his own home and not at the customer's! Some of it is just circumstance. Usually March is a slow month. But we seem to be getting jobs out the kazoo, which need to be done before they are fully trained. Rock and a hard spot. Today I VOW to tell Randy that I cannot continue to be an installer. I'll finish up the week, but on future installs I will be there more as an adviser and trainer until my 60 hours are up. Then they have to start paying me. That's in the contract. -- End of rant --

Thanks for listening to me.

Have a good day! XXOO

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

Donna, that's a great decision to dump the old clothes. I'm in a huge dumping mood these days, thanks to recent events. The next crummy weather day I have free, I'm going to start ravaging closets. Actually, I should wait until the end of April, close to the Large Item pick-up date, 'cause I'm going to put a lot of crap out on the curb. Or perhaps the Goodwill store will be happy to see me coming.

Sounds like those young men lived fast, but a shock nevertheless. In KC, we seem to have a great many car fatalities involving young people.

Shelley, enjoy the week doing whatever you want. Spring break is a bigger deal than I can appreciate, not being connected with school life. The parking lot at work yesterday had lots of empty spaces. Guess those who can are off to Mexico, the Virgin Islands, and Disney World!

Well, Judy...I can't add anything else, except that I know the delicate dance of marital negotiation. Go with the flow...of hot water, thankfully!

Bren, rib or no rib, it hurts. Hope you're finding ways to ease that ache.

My very tiny disaster Update--no hail damage to the Miata.

I'm getting a real kick out of my new colleague. She's a fellow home exerciser and weight management maven, so we have a lot to talk about in that arena. More fun for me, since we've just met, is that she "sees me" in a way my long-time co-workers have long since taken for granted, and is free with compliments. My style is, if nothing else, eclectic, and she appreciates the free spirit. The downside of being the office "legend" is that everyone's too d*mn respectful. Makes me feel ancient sometimes. Don't those Gen Y kids know I'm still their same age??

Actually, I AM a geezer. I know what that Bat Time thing is all about, but have never watched a single episode of Friends, Seinfeld, Sex in the City, Survivor, or Desperate Housewives. I'm a cultural ignoramus.

Well...off to do Tuesday. I might ice skate at lunchtime today. The outdoor rink closes Sunday.

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


My Fitday Journal

Alida, a whop with that miracle stick is what Judy says Bobbie needs to soften him up re: the OKC trip. I'm shopping today for one, and will pick up one for all of us if I find them. Seems most of us are members of the marital "Been There, Done That" Keep The Peace Sorority. To you, Judy, ((((hugs)))). I have to be honest that I feel sad and not a little angry when I think of all the missed opportunities and small pleasures given up by our sex for the honor of wearing the T-shirt, though. The martial ledger seems particularly unbalanced in that category. So do you mind if I'm peeved at Bobbie for being, well, such a GUY? <sigh> Nevertheless, I'm shopping today.....

Alida, do speak to the new owners. They've really put you in an unfair situation. Yup, hold them to the contract and take care of those precious hands.

Barb, was always so delightful to me to find someone in the workplace who was sympatico. Enjoy your new colleague, and enjoy seeing yourself
through a newcomer's eyes

Peg, you are off today!
_______________
I have a list of things to do today a mile long, not the least of which is finding that knitting bag and circ needle for our Peg So I'll get at it and will see you all later. Hugs to all.

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

Good morning galpals!
Wow...we are a busy bunch this morning! And wow again...Ms Brenda...you are up and at'em early! Do I remember correctly you prefer to be a late riser?
We'll teach you how to be an early bird yet, as well as Ms Peg...who I KNOW prefers to sleep late Speaking of our Peg, wishing you and your DH a safe and happy trip. Just 4 more days until you will converge with us!!! wOOt!!

Judy...I totally understand about picking those battles and engaging in a war that has the odds so against one, that it would be near impossible to win! Nonetheless, I also am going to hold out hope and certainly send up some prayers that a last minute trip to OKC seems right for you! If not, then please do not feel like you are letting us down...it just wasn't meant to be, and someday(soon) the timing will be right and we will converge!!! Who knows...this may turn out to be an annual event, or at least every other year, different city or *same Bat time...same Bat channel* thing....ya just never know.

Alida...take care of those hands and wrists, sweetie. Joint pain is a horse of a different color, as you and I know. Repetitive injuries rarely recover on their own...and joint surgery is someplace I don't want to go again. I think you have a good plan...let them know it and stick to it! (how's that for being a harda$$?) ha!

Barb...ice skating at lunchtime...yes! You must get your last *fix* if the rink is closing on Sunday. I know you will miss that a lot. And on the cleaning of the closets...I waited around for over a week for some charity to call(like they usually call 3 or 4 times a week, for Pete's sake!), no calls for my 6 large bags of clothes and shoes...so long story short, DH took them to the closest Goodwill store just yesterday! Whew...glad to finally be rid of those things!

Donna...So sorry you didn't get to see your DGKs...what a bummer! I take it your DIL is recovering nicely from her latest surgery if she took the kids shopping. But taking a sick child shopping is just wrong! She wouldn't want to be dragged along if it were her with the 102 degree fever! Sheeesh!

Rachel...you must be having a blast with your little sweeties! Hope you can check in and give us an update. Only 3 more days til you and Bren arrive!!!
wOOt!!!

Ilse...bet you are swimming this morning! I could not even imagine getting into a pool when the outside temps are so cold! I realize it's a heated pool, but still, the thought makes me turn blue! LOL!

Teel...how cold did your temps get? I just got an email from a friend in CA this morning, and she said they had some sleet; briefly, but nonetheless!
Our temps are back to *normal* for this time of year...actually, our heat just came on, and it feels pretty darn good...LOL!

OK, galpals...I am headed for a one minute muffin, then either out for my walk-n- run, or off to Home Depot to pick out the tile for the backsplash. DH is off today, so he may just get to do some *honey-dos*

Later, chickadees!

S.

__________________
~~~~
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 lost a post just now. I hope everyone is well. I slipped on the ladder getting out of the pool, so I had grill marks on my knee. Lovely!

Not much is happening! We have endured our high winds again for a couple of days. Hearing the wind all night made me feel cold, so I wore my warmest pants this morning.

I decided to mostly head straight home yesterday. My DD called and wanted my Dh to pick up a gallon of gumbo from "Heaven on Seven". Since he drives right through downtown Naperville, it's only 1 block out of the way for him. We needed saltines or oyster crackers. Cub Foods had saltines for $.93 or oyster crackers for $2.99. I went with the saltines as they will last longer.

My DSIL was off work yesterday, so after my DGS came home from school they headed off to look at furniture for the new house. Utimately, they figure they need to look up in Wisconsin.

The next class is about to start. Take care, everyone!

__________________
Ilse

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

So, Brenda, did you find a discount on a large purchase of miracle sticks? I think it might be possible that Bobby did get a whop on the head. He's making noise now about me going to Dallas and then on to OKC. It's the I'll sacrifice yadda yadda yadda kind of noise. I'm not sure yet how sincere it is. I'll hold off on jumping on the idea for a few more hours.

Keep the stick swinging!

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