Good morning!

Rachel, were you able to open the gif file? I just tried the eps file in Photoshop elements and it opened ok -- but with no background. Once I added a white background it showed up OK. Strange.

On accents -- when I returned home from living in Italy for a year, everyone said my accent had changed. They described it as "softer." I also spoke more with my hands! What you said about "fitting in" is so true. Nothing to do with education.

You are so lucky your DH was able to transfer all your files to your laptop! How old is your computer? My old one was was about 5 years old when stuff started to happen that caused most techies to assume my hard drive was going. Which reminds me, I should make sure I have everything off of it while it's still in semi-working mode!

I just may have to read that book about the Enron scandal. Sounds interesting!

Judy, you and I may share that title of "most conservative!" Indecision? That's ME. Although, I prefer to think of it as looking at all the options and then trying to make an informed decision. White is GOOD! And the decision to make it smaller so the blankie can be used more - that's GOOD, too! Oh, it will be beautiful. And very precious to your son, DIL and DGC. And Bobby's thought of a "good glove" gave me a laugh. It's funny. Two years ago my granddaughter asked for a football for Christmas. She wanted to practice catching/throwing so she would be better at school when they played football!

Peg, the closest I have come to the deep south was staying with some friends at a beach house on Kiowa Island (Charleston). You're right. It IS a whole 'nother country, especially for someone born and raised in Chicago! I mean, they don't MOVE. Everything seemed so slow. But in retrospect, that's not bad, just different. I also dated a guy from Kentucky for a while. He still couldn't get over the fact that the South lost the war.

Will you make it to Virginia Beach today? I hope so! You need some alone time, and time out of that darn car!

Donna, TWO year treatment with antibiotics to get rid of fungus in the toes??? There's a repulsive commercial on TV for a fungicide (or whatever) that seems to tout immediate results. I'll have to pay more attention the next time it's on. But the ad agency who came up with smarmy cartoon creatures lifting up a toenail and crawling underneath should be shot.

How was the concert? I'll bet it was a BLAST! I'm looking forward to your report!

As for Survivor -- the merge took place. The four people from LaMina went to the Casaya camp. Since Casaya has 6 people left, they were all talking about "sticking together" and voting off the 4 LaMina people one after another. Gary (jet pilot from LaMina - who has the immunity idol from Exile Island) tried to sway some Casaya people to the LaMina side. Worked real hard on Bruce (the Jap -- sorry that's not PC, but, well, he IS Japanese!) I had high hopes he might succeed, seeing as how that IDIOT Shane is Casaya and they all can't stand him. No reward challenge. At the Individual Immunity Challenge, they all had to hang from a horizontal limb by their hands and feet. Last one hanging wins. Amazingly, Gary won. But all the Casaya people felt pretty safe so they gave up first. At the vote, Casaya DID stick together and they voted off Nick from LaMina, although Shane did get 4 votes -- all from LaMina people. For some reason that surprised him. DUH. What I hope happens next time, is that Casaya wakes up and realizes that even if they vote Shane off, they will still be ahead by two people.

WooHo on another 1.5 pounds! Yes, it could be water, but it may be some weight, too! As for what could be holding in water -- salt maybe? There may be other culprits but the only other one I can think of is not drinking enough water.

Barb, how wonderful to have those little sweet rhymes right at your fingertips!

Terry, are you sure you want to know this? Here we go:

Shading Coefficient: This is a ratio of the solar energy entering though a window compared to that which enters through a window of 1/8" double strength clear glass. The solar energy which enters includes both that which is transmitted directly through the window and that portion of the energy absorbed in the window that is transferred to the interior.

"U" Value: The measurement used in determining the ability of different structural components (such as a window) to conduct heat. In short, the lower the number, the better!

Emissivity: This is a measure of the ability of a surface to emit room temperature radiant heat energy. It is also a measure of the ability of the surface to reflect room radiant energy since, for window systems, the emissivity and the reflectivity of room radiant energy add up to unity. A low emissivity means a high reflectivity of room radiant energy.

DO NOT ask me to explain the above!!! If you do not get answers in plain English from your dealer, let me know. I'll PM the phone number of my distributor and you can talk to James -- a great techie!

As for your concern about the darker Prestige seeming to be "less 3-D" -- don't forget, this is not installed. It's just hanging on your window. Once installed properly, it may take a day or two to get used to it, but believe me, you will.

Brenda, Shelley, Ilse, hope all is well!

Today should be my crash day. I feel pretty good, though. If I recall from my first treatment, I didn't crash until the afternoon. Hmm. All closets are done! Well, they are not done-done, just straightened and presentable. Maybe I'll work on the other side of the unfinished part of the basement. Lots of crap there that could be thrown out or at least better organized. For instance, as I buy new coffee brewers, the old ones get put on a shelf in the basement "just in case." Well, I now have FOUR sitting there. I did not live during the Depression. Wonder if this is a POLISH thing.

I am also a saver of empty cartons, empty gift boxes and shopping bags. How many does one need? Ah, you never know when that particular carton is just the right size to send something to someone! Bob always jokes about one of our moves. When we moved from the big house to the Villa (before our move here to the townhouse), my father died a few weeks before the move. So I did not have time to cull through crap. The packers came and packed everything. When Bob was unpacking a huge box at the Villa, what he found was ? empty gift boxes! You know, those beautiful Christmas gift boxes from Bonwits (violets!), Neiman Marcus and Saks. I will never hear the end of that one.

Have a wonderful 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

HI, Alida. I have a lot of empty boxes in the basement, too. Many of them are electronics boxes--in case I have to return stuff for repair. But in some cases, the electronics have already died. Time to reconsider!

It's Break Out the Miata day! It was a little coolish on the way to work with the top down, but guess who's going out for lunch? And guess who's feeling totally hot in her skinny jeans and silk sweater the same color as the Miata (lovely merlot)?:gorgeous: When I waltz into Tasso's at noon and see DH's eyes light up, all's right with the world. I've got a spot in my brain hard-wired for this feeling, and that's what makes me an LC maven.

I clicked on Fitday this morning, and whoop-de-doo--they've brightened up the colors. Doesn't appear they've changed the interface, just the graphics.

Now...Halloween. Anybody have a favorite Halloween story or tradition? Start thinking about it, Judy. Cute Halloween costumes are GRANDMOTHER opportunities, and great photo ops.

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


My Fitday Journal

Actually, Halloween is very possible for little baby's birthday. He/she is due on November 3. I think it would be fun to have a "little punkin".

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

Good morning!

I know I have been MIA much of this week. It's been a combination of business and computer problems yesterday.

I did want to share that I ordered glasses from Sam's Club yesterday. I do not have a good picture of myself in them. It'll take a week or so to get them. I thought I had Varilux lenses, with are quite pricey. However, I found out I have some kind of premium plastic lenses. I was told if I went to polycarbonate, I wouldn't see as well. The frames are navy. The cost is around $235 instead of the $306-380 most places were quoting me. At that rate, I could consider getting a second pair of glasses with the designer frames I liked for a totally different look. So, it took 40 days to order glases, but who is counting!?! (LOL!)

I have gone to swim every morning. Monday and Wednesday, I took my DGS to the pool. He spent 2 hours there Monday and 2 1/2 hours there Wednesday. I may try to take him today. I haven't gone swimming with him, as I get too cold. It's good, as the Aurora school district is also on spring break and it's been so busy, I can't get a locker to park his clothes and stuff. Hopefully, we can head out again today.

My DH is heading to Barcelona, Spain tomorrow, so he will be home early from work today.

Like Brenda, I have been trying to do my taxes. I drove out to Elgin Wednesday(over 25 miles) to get a copy of the sale of my house papers. I couldn't find the ones we were given when we did the pre-sign. It was too close to moving day. Thursday, I drove to the school I work at, as I needed information off the internet and ours wasn't working all day. I was able to let myself into the building and to a computer next to a phone, so I could call places if I needed to. I was also able to get my license plate sticker (and change the address), stop at a couple of place to look at eyeglass frames, and order my glasses. I was sick and tired of not having a fax machine, so I bought a 4-in-1 (printer, copier, scanner, and fax) from Sam's Club.

My DSIL and I traded cars yesterday. He put in new struts for me and changed my oil. Of course, he found a couple of other things I should deal with on the car.

Not much else new. We are back to school on Monday. Taxes are nowhere close to being done. (hard to work on when a toddler is interested in everything on the desk)

I wish you all well!

__________________
Ilse

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

Good Friday morning, everyone. I'm still on a high from last nights concert so excuse my jumping around in the chair.

The concert was unbelievable!! If I had shut my eyes, I would have sworn I was back in the 60's. There are 8 in the band now and they sound like the original group. The 2 originals are definitely slower, but their voices haven't changed at all. They sang non stop for 3 hours!! I couldn't believe how fast the time went. I was sure I'd made an ass of myself by jumping up and down in my seat, singing to the songs until I looked around and saw I was definitely not alone. It was an older crowd but even the young ones there were there couldn't help but get involved. It was a late night...didn't get home until after midnight...but I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Alida: Thanks so much for the update on Survivor. I couldn't help but be a bit upset that I missed it, but I know it won't take much to get caught up. I was hoping Shane would be gone, but no such luck. He's just the type of idiot that will pull the whole thing off. Also, good for you for getting all that cleaning done. Want to come to my house? If you step into my basement there are unseen hands that will pull you into the darkest corners and you'll never be seen again.

Judy: A white blankie....ohhh, sounds so nice. I've made blankies for all 3 of my grankids and they won't go to sleep without them. Micayla's in need of a new one now it's been washed so many times, but she refuses to part with it. I know your new baby will love it too.

Ilse: Finally decided on the glasses...good for you. I know it's a big step to take cause you're going to be wearing them for a long time.

Our taxes are done and we both get refunds this year. The business came out totally even...don't pay, don't owe. I have no idea how the accountant does that, and I don't want to know.

Peg: Deep south, eh! I've only heard the accents that are on TV, but I can imagine what you are going through. I'm so glad that you're at your time share now and can relax for a few days. Sitting in a car isn't fun after the first couple of days...been there.

Dh goes out of town tomorrow until Sunday night, so I think it's going to be a work in the yard day followed by a baking night. I'm just about out of zuccini muffins and need to replentish my stock of peanut butter cookies in the freezer. Then maybe tomorrow night I'll sit back with a movie. Haven't seen "Ray" yet, so that might work. I'm so glad daylight savings is here....stays light longer, yes!!

Barb: Feeling perky today, huh? Good for you. I know the look you mean that your dh will get....sure makes ya feel good. And keep that top down on the Miata...if I had a convertible I sure would. You go girl!!

Back to work for me. Have a great weekend everyone.

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

Hi Gang!

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh! Yeah! I'm writing to you from our kitchen table in our time share on the 7th floor looking out over the Atlantic ocean. Beautiful!!! I couldn't get on the internet, so had to skip the grocery shopping. Honestly. I love to go to a new grocery store. But, he'll be back pretty soon.

Rach: I meant to tell you that when we got to Dallas, we stopped into Borders to get a couple of books for the dgkids, and there was "a Once and Future King" on sale for $13.00. I felt lucky to get it and bought it. Now I'm going to start it tomorrow probably. I'm just about done with the book I've been reading.

Interesting about accents. When I adapt, I thought it was just "peer pressure." I've been beating myself for years for that. Thanks foir letting me know that EVERYONE does it.

Bren: What's up with you, girl?
Donna: Sounds as though the concert was just fab! I envy you.
Barb: I'll bet you are HOT in that Miata. Good for you that you can think about the look in dh's eyes. I'll be happy if dh will just go for a walk without me!
Judy: So, if you are the most conservative, I'll bet I'm the most liberal. Though, I might have to get in line behind Rach!
Alida: I hope that your crash this afternoon wasn't too far down. If you did crash, do rest, sweetie.
Shelley: where are you, girl? Working. I know.
Terry: Is it still raining up your way? Are you building an ark?

I opened the Georgian wine this afternoon. I wanted to save it for a special occasion, but alas, we were out of wine and I couldn't wait for dh to get back.

See ya,
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

And, isn't it interesting that those two very divergent opinions don't make a hill of beans difference in how we feel about each other.

Peg -- I so desperately need to get some diet mojo back again. I've gained 10 pounds and it's starting to make me feel tired and feel FAT! I can't tell you how much I envy Barb's attitude and constant diligence. I've been there, why can't I find my way back? We've walked this trail together for a long time. I know you will be ready when you get back to Boston. Let's figure out how to get ourselves motivated again.

Help me wise ones..............

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

Hi guys!
I know it's only1830(6:30PM), but believe it or not, I'm about to crash(prolly not like youthough, dear Alida). This week at work was very intense. I wish I could tell you all about it, but due to confidentiality, I cannot. I NEED to vent, whine, scream, yell, curse, or EXPLODE!!!!! Ahhhhh.....well, I think I feel a wee bit better now!
Truly, this was the week from heJJ...yanno?

So much going on...I don't think I can comment to all. Just know I've been following along from a distance...well, actually,*bringing up the rear* as my grandma used to say, but that's ok...it's a good spot for me with the kind of week I've had.

Just a few thoughts with what little functioning brain cells I have tonight:

Judy...maybe your grandbaby will be born Nov 2nd That's my DD's birthday. And to tell you the truth, we thought we were gonna have a little goblin. I had a few labor pangs on Halloween, but stopped. Made it to Nov 2nd; we got a new baby and a new president that day...Jimmy Carter was elected and Ms Amanda Dawn was born

Peg...I'm sooooooo jealous....not really....just wishing I were there with you looking out at the Atlantic. Enjoy!

Alida...hope you breeze through this session of treatments. I've been thinking of you daily, sweetie.

Bren...hey, girl. Taxes all done? Sorry...CRS...you may have already finished them?
Happy trails anyhoo

Barb...I can just see you breezing down the highway in your Miata. Rock on, girlfriend!

Rach...I know you will be having a happy time singing. It's so nice you get to do one of your favorite things on a regular basis. I often think that is why we have so much stress in our lives...we(or at least I) don't take the time to do what the heart desires sometimes. Does that make sense???...maybe not as I'm fading fast here.
Anyhoo....happy tunes to you

Donna...I may try and make the muffin recipe this weekend if I can find some good zucchini. I need to take some snacks with me on my trip. DD is NOT a cook, poor lil darlin'...so ole mom here will have to fend for herself most likely. We wil dine out EVERY night, no doubt.

Teel and Ilse...hi to ya'll! Hope you are both doing well.

OK...guess I did better than I thought I would do...LOL. Maybe some typos, so just overlook them, OK?

(((hugs chickadees)))
nitey night!

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..
posting at the same time I think......
oh...I need help as well.
I think I'm up about 4 lbs, on top of still being at least 20-23 pounds from goal...sigh.
Yes....HELP!!!!

__________________
~~~~
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!

I'm here! Hugs to all, and big ole hugs to all you who really need them. I hope I can catch up with you all over the weekend.

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

Locking up this March thread. See you in the April thread!

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!