Hello dear ones?. SOOOO many posts to read and catch up with? let me see if I can comment very briefly on things going on?

Shelley, I love the glasses!! Very stylish and perfect for framing those gorgeous eyes!!

Brenda? I have only read ?Running with Scissors? and since I?m someone who wanted children so badly and couldn?t have them ? I find it too painful to read about people who have children and treat them so horribly. Although he has a fantastic balance (now) and sense of humor in his writing ? I still find the stories very difficult. It?s the same with any books about seriously dysfunctional families?

Funnily... I don't go to Woody Allen movies either ? I grew up in communities full of neurotic Jews ? I should pay money to go to movies about them?!? Oy vey, NO! LoL!!

Peg, VERY glad to hear about you NOT needing to get medicated?. Can I even tell you how much we are walking here? We walk everywhere ? all over the city ? like much of Europe people don?t drive in the cities ? they walk!!

Judy, I went to Penn State before they entered the Big Ten (and made it the Big Eleven). At that time one of our biggest rivals was Nebraska? everything was RED! LoL! Hang in there ? it is fascinating to read about your work there. Just sort of a shame that you have to waste time on essays written by students who didn?t ?get it right?? <<sigh>>

Barb? I lived in DC for many years? and you are so right ? there are NO gas stations in the district ? and the few that are there are hidden well? so sorry!! You really do have gorgeous shoulders and arms! I LOVED the red wedding dress ? good luck in, is it Japan? Or China? One of those, right?

Terry, I?m usually the one who talks too much (ask the convergence crew) so I want to officially apologize to you for your two loquacious gals? they can?t help it ? it?s just their nature. I come from a family of all serious Introverts who claim that the best way to deal with the chatty ones is to ?energize? themselves both before and after time spent with the Extroverts? by being completely alone and quiet and enjoying being in those two states ? sort of as a bulwark against the onslaught of chatter/external energy exuded by the Es. Good luck? for Es who have not had a kind friend or family member or good book or website explain to them that they DRAIN people? there is really nothing to do about them ? so save yourself!

Donna, it must be so hard to have to try not to ?fix? DD ? it is the most natural thing for a parent to want to make a child?s life work right ? regardless of their age. Hang in there ? I?m sorry this is a tough time for you? <<<<<<hugs>>>>>>>

Alida, Terry? and anyone else who is interested. Here is a link to our website (horribly out of date these days)? to a piece I wrote about my dear Salamanca, some years ago ? nothing has changed? even the recommendation of the hostal we are staying in is the same as where we are this week!! http://www.r-n-r.com/Travel/Spain_salamanca.htm Enjoy ? it?s a marvelous place.

So we are here visiting with dear friends and eating and drinking like the condemned. I can?t even begin to describe the incredible food and wines here. Almost all low carb ? it?s a place where one can really eat LC ? but also a place where the non LC foods that are easily ignored in lesser places are soooo tempting? yikes!

Although this is supposed to be a holiday (and it is, really, DH and I are in total decompression mode?.) It was sort of hard for me to get online this evening ? the little lobby downstairs here is hot (wifi) ? so we?ve spent the last two hours sitting here next to each other on a couch typing away? we are such geeks ? perfect for each other?


Ok, brace yourselves.....

Here is the schedule just for grins ? please don?t remember it ? I hardly can.

Salamanca until June 8, then a rental car north to Oviedo (in Asturias), 5 days there, then a flight to Jerez (here?s another link to my piece about sherries there? http://www.r-n-r.com/Travel/Spain_Jerez.htm - see I was actually a pretty creative writer when I was motivated)?

3 days in the Puerto de Santa Maria ? another link: http://www.r-n-r.com/Travel/spain_puerto.htm

then 3 days in Merida? another link: http://www.r-n-r.com/Travel/Spain_Merida.htm

then 2 days in Caceres and then back to Salamanca where we are again at the end of the month until our flight back to Tbilisi on June 28th?. Sigh? it will go so fast?

Ok, I must go? we are meeting people shortly and I need to change for the evening. I will check in again when I can? thanks for reading this far!!

__________________
Hugs, Rachel







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

The math is somewhat fuzzy. There are a total of 55,000 economics papers. Some are Macro, some Micro some are from the late testing date and some are from overseas. I am grading Marco question 2. There are app 30 people grading that question. I actually don't know the exact number for the Macro exams. I'm sure I was told, but that was Friday morning -- three days and many many tests ago. There is a very specific rubric for grading the question. It involves two graphs and some easy calculations. Our group is actually ahead of schedule and have completed about 50% of the exams. They are pulling 6 of the 30 out to move to another question tomorrow. It's getting harder to concentrate! I think I did something like 275 or 300 papers today. I'm probably the slowest person at my table. Yes, we are in a dorm --- a co-ed dorm and I'm on a boy's floor! Men and women alternate floors. We have individual rooms and the graders at this site (Eco, World History and European History) fill over two dorms. Our meals are in the cafeteria of the dorm about a block down the street. College Board determines the menu and specifies the meal times, etc. The food is outstanding. They feed us well. Last night or the night before we had prime rib. We are grading in an academic building that is about 2 blocks from this dorm. So, there is pleanty of walking to help get rid of all that we have eaten. The first day or so I was really good. I'm startign to backslide, though. The temptations are plentiful. Good idea......... no chance of it happening. I actually packed everything for the week in a carry on so that I could get off the plane in Dallas. We will spend next weekend moving my dad into his new assisted living location. I hope I'm home by Monday or Tuesday next week.
~~~~~~~~~
The economics teachers here are a fun group. We took up a collection to stock the "lounge". I could soooo use a drink from that stock right now, but it's not available until later this evening. We had a pot on the basketball games the last two nights. I won the 4th quarter of the Maverick game($50). Way cool!--- the Dallas team won, and so did the Texas girl.

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

Rachel, so happy to hear your report of happy times in Spain. Enjoy this respite from all the hassle of relocation, new jobs, etc.

I lived in Madrid for two years (c. 1959) when my dad was stationed at Torrejon Air Base. I have memories of Merida, and the Roman ruins there. We stayed in a pension on a trip to attend the wedding, in nearby Badajoz, of one of our housekeepers Amparo saved for years for her marriage, and we had a wonderful time at her village wedding. I was about 12 years old. Per my mother's instructions, we ate and drank whatever was set before us. An American family, driving a blue 1953 Cadillac, was an intriguing presence in that village. In retrospect, I hope the bride didn't resent us. Amparo and her sister Louisa lived with us in Madrid, as domestics. They were sassy--but I think they made out pretty well financially. My mother bought the fabric for Amparo's wedding dress--which was black. That would be her "good dress" for the rest of her life.

Our next adventure, in October, is to New Zealand. I HAVE mentioned Japan, because we have a trip in mind for the future, in the company of my nephew and his Japanese wife. But this year, it's NZ.

And Rachel, you ARE a fascinating and incorrigible talker. That's one reason other "convergers" were left with an impression of me as an introvert. (Who, me??) Two loquacious talkers cancel each other out, as Teel can attest, but I can be a good listener when someone else's story is really, really good. Online, there's time for all, and aren't we glad?!

Peg, correcting your typo, that would be 50 days after Easter, "Pente" being Greek for fifty. Seven weeks, plus Easter Day. We had a lovely anthem today about the Holy Spirit as "She." You know, the Presbys have an ongoing dustup about a women's conference a decade ago celebrating Sophia, the spirit of Wisdom, the "female" part of the Trinity. Oh my. Why is the female such a problem to the church?? Sigh.

I had a good time visiting my dad this afternoon. I was waxing loquacious about our trip, and recent events at work, and I think my dad enjoyed the animated entertainment.

Tomorrow...real life again. I'll be doing meat-and-eggs for a few days, and restoring my body to its natural low-carb balance. I'm also looking forward to my regular fitness routine. It's good to have a platform.

Everybody have a healthy week. Judy, you're in a time warp. Shelley, you've got a full plate. Alida,you're in a learning curve with the new business. Life is intriguing, n'est-ce pas?

P. S. Posting simultaneously with Judy. Wow. What an event! You have my permission--not that you need it-- to indulge in any way necessary to get through it!

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


My Fitday Journal

Barb: (Blush) How gracious of you to call it a "typo." I come from a non-liturgical tradition, so have a hard time remembering the exact dates. However, I almost always remember when Christmas is! (hee hee)

I DO know about the Presbys and their Holy Spirit as Sophia. One of our closest friends in the world is a Presby minister. Has been for 25 years. Heard all about it blow by blow as it was happening. At the time I was not in Seminary so thought it was "much ado about nothing." Later years, I changed my mind!

Love you all. Forgive, please, my musing about only myself. I did get my flowers yesterday (Donna), and may plant them tomorrow. We're still cloudy and rainy 58 degrees now. I see the Urogynecologist tomorrow and then need to begin my curriculum for the class I am teaching on Tuesday nights (yikes!) starting Tuesday!

See ya' later,
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 galpals....
as promised...here I am....again...LOL...ya just can't get rid of me, can ya???
I had another very uneventful(lazy) day...dang...a girl could get used to that!

Alida...LOL about yappy Shoo Shoo. We always said those little dogs are waaaaaaay more sneaky and will bite *bigger* than a big dog. When I was a teen and would arrive home just a few minutes late, I could always *talk* my way past our big German Shepherd outside dog, but the minute my hand would turn the door knob, mom's yippy-yappy little poodle named Nikki would *tell* on me...sigh. I really didn't like Nikki and she didn't like me...but I loved my Princess(shepherd) to pieces...she was a good dog, and oh so smart.

Barb...hope your ankle feels better soon. I'm afraid I'd have more aches and pains than I could count if I'd run a race like that. Do you have a specific brand of athletic shoes you wear? I'm really sold on New Balance; they have really helped with my plantar faciitis; of course the orthotics helped as well. I also will probably be needing a new pair of walking shoes soon.

Peg...I'll send ya a little warm weather if you'll send us some of your rain....deal???
Good luck with your appt tomorrow. I'll be sending good vibes and positive thoughts your way girlfriend.

Bren...did ya go back to sleep this morning? Hope you were able to capture some more zzzzz's. Loss of sleep bites the big one for sure...ack! Lately, I'm thinking 6 hours is what my body wants/needs. If I go to bed much before 2130, I will wake up at 03-0330 and not go back to sleep...knowing that I have to get up at 0400. :(
Now that is aggrevating....grrrrrr! Did the shed project get completed today?

Rach...good to hear from you!!! Sounds like you will be on a whirlwind of sorts, but it also sounds very exciting and fun. I'm glad you and your sweetie are able to unwind and enjoy. Check in when you can, ok?

Judy...good to hear from you as well. When is your last day in Lincoln...Wednesday?
Sounds like you have everything all planned out; hope your dad's move goes well and without any bug-a boos.

Teel...what did you find yourself doing this weekend? Hope it was fun whatever it was How's your weather on the left coast? Same offer goes to you...trade some warm weather for some rain? Gosh...we are just so dry; and the worst is yet to come...sigh.

Donna...how was the dance? Details please...
Well...thanks everyone for the positive comments on my glasses. I really think I'm going to have to take them back in and have them re-made. I just don't think the bi-focal area is quite right; the sharpness is just not there. More than once I almost put the old ones back on.

And, in the *always something* category...one of my new kitchen lights has *died*!! Da*n!!! The electrician is coming out later in the week to see what's up with it...always something, I tell ya! LOL!

Alrighty gals...I'm going to have a glass of crystal light lemonade and play a game or 2 of Mahjong. The new version on my new computer is incredible...I could become a *mahjong junkie*...LOL.

Have a good week everyone!
Much (((hugs and love)))

Shell

__________________
~~~~
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!

Evening everyone. What a conversational day here on the old Tracking thread After a busy morning (nope, didn't get back to sleep, Shelley) and early afternoon, I semi-slugged this evening, almost napped, but not quite. Instead, the girls got a nice long walk as the sun was going down.

DH finished what he'd originally planned for the shed today, but I think he's decided to build a new ramp, too. I may wait on the painting until
he's done. After a good look, I really think I'll repaint the whole thing, anyway. Did I ever mention that this is our second shed? The first one, on the same site, literally blew up in the middle of the night about 10 years ago, when lightening hit our oak tree, traveled down the trunk and through the electric lines to the shed. Can you say BOOM? The roof exploded off the walls and the sides of the shed bowed out, but there was no fire--only my stored patio umbrella was scorched and smoking. Of course the lightening traveled the other way to the house, too, and fried most of our electronics, computers, phones, and melted the circuit box, but at least our roof stayed put, LOL! Peg, is that BIG enough weather for you?

Barb! You are awesome! Love the picture, and love the idea that we'll be rooting for the age group winner next year Go girl!

Terry, thank you so much for telling me the grout sealers don't work all that well--you may have saved me much frustration. I do recall that your former home had quite a bit of ceramic tile, so I imagine you've tried about everything at one time or another. I have so little in comparison that I suppose I shouldn't be so frustrated.

Alida, LOL at your Shoo-Shoo story (what a name, by the way). People do let small dogs get away with murder, and I'm afraid I'm no exception--well, not to the extent of Shoo-Shoo's people, though. When DH was in college, he worked as an in-home electronics service tech (back in the day when TVs and such could actually be repaired...). He says one of the first things he learned was to wear high topped shoes or boots, because you never knew when an "ankle biter" would come out of the woodwork...

Alida, Augusten Burroughs writes memoirs in the form of stories of his rather bizarre life, especially his incredible childhood. I think the phrase "disturbingly hilarious" might be apt for most readers. Rachel, I can understand why Running With Scissors was only "disturbing" to you, however. My take is that if someone else were writing about bare facts of Burrough's childhood, I'd be aghast. However, what saves his books for me is that he overcame his early horrific experiences enough to write about his own life with amazing clarity and scabrous wit, not to mention he's making a boat load of $$. It does feel like a train wreck when I'm reading, but I've got to admit to being one of the gapers at the scene of the accident.

Shelley, I do think you are right to take back your glasses if you're having that much trouble adjusting. Certainly could be the bifocal was mismeasured on you. However, one thing I found out a few years ago from a friend who is an optician, BTW, is that the various brands of progressives differ in the width of the central corridor--that middle distance you use for the computer. If you have a different brand lens now, that might be part of the problem.

Mahjong? Now that's something I've never played. Always sounded SO sophisticated!

Peg, a class starting already??? What subject? Is it going to be a prickly group, do you think?

Rachel, what an itinerary for your stay in Spain. Oh my, I'm not sure if I'd find it de-stressing, but I know you know the country so well that you two know exactly what you want to do there.

Judy, sounds like quite an adventure, even if possibly a bit mind-numbing while you're doing the grading. The food and walks sound great, and I'll bet you're meeting some nice fellow teachers, too. I hope you will be able to do major "Slug-ing" at least when you get past packing out DDad....

Donna, weekend report?
__________

I feel as though I've shortchanged some of you :( but my post is way too long already, and I'm winding down too far to be coherent... although if the pattern holds, I'll be up and awake at 2 or 3 am. Sheesh! Tomorrow, gals.

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

Monday Morning. Real life again. No excuses. Time to restore my body to lowcarbness and other routines. I'm reporting the dietary details over on Shelley's Yankee Doodle Challenge check-in, and I fully expect to drop off this 5-lb. vacation package in short order. I started out this morning with Leslie Sansone's "Walk/Kick." Not too strenuous, but enough to get a little sweaty glow on.

Shelley, that's a bummer about the new lights. Yup--always something. I've noticed a couple of ant-like critters in my house, and asked DH to call the exterminator for a termite inspection. Our house is falling apart already, without the extra help of being eaten.

Memoirs of nasty childhoods must be trendy these days. Not long ago, Jeannette Walls was at Hallmark discussing her book, The Glass Castle. A horrific life with irresponsible (but intriguing) parents. Yes, it is like watching a train wreck. I wonder if that Irish teacher started the trend with his "disturbingly hilarious" memoir about his childhood in Dublin?

Time to get ready for work. See you later.

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


My Fitday Journal

Good morning!

Nuts. It's Monday. Weekends sure go fast, especially when I have to work on Saturday!

Peg, thank you for explaining Pentecost. 50 or 60 days? I guess since the actual "dates" are all screwed up anyway, it's the idea that counts. Speaking in different tongues, huh? From the stories I hear about church politics, seems like that's still going on.

So you finally bought your flowers! Impatiens? Hope you can get them planted this week.

What class? Is this for the church? Did you know about it when they hired you?

Keep us posted on the Urogynecologist visit.

Judy, I am glad to hear the math is fuzzy and not my brain! The campus sounds lovely and the walking will help with any LC blips. I had forgotten (CRS) that you are packing your Dad's apt. up upon your return. Too bad you can't avail yourself of the "stock" in the lounge during the day. Sure would speed up the grading!

Brenda, oh my. That lightening strike must have been awful! Was it covered under insurance or did they call it an Act of God? LOL at your comment about this weather event being BIG enough for Peg!

Thank you for the explanation of Augusten Burroughs' writing. I usually prefer mysteries, spy novels and escapist stuff like Cussler's Dirk Pitt. Burroughs sounds heavy.

Speaking of the name Shoo Shoo for that little dog ? when I was a little girl, that's what my Mother called pee. And poo was called Doo Doo. (TMI?) Anyway, when I heard the name I really thought it was so APT.

I do hope your sleep gets back on schedule!

Shelley, nuts on the glasses. Do you have bifocals or trifocals? I have tri and I still take my glasses off for computer work and reading. To use the lower (close-up) part, I have to tilt my head too much. PITA. I hope they get the problem fixed for you!

Yup, I love BIG dogs, too. In all the homes I have been in, it seems like more big dogs than little are friendly. The cats? They always seem to end up in the film box top! And that does not surprise me. What is it with boxes and cats, LOL!

Mahjong? On the computer? I'll bet that's fun. I remember years ago when Rummy Cube was popular. That was a fun game, too.

Barb, I had forgotten you lived in Spain for a while. You were young ? I think you said 12. Did you find it very exciting, or did you long for "home?" Young children adapt so well. You probably thought everyone lived like that!

So where did the name Sophia come from? Picked out of a hat? And was the dust up about calling the Holy Spirit a woman? Gasp! Yanno, your comment: "Why is the female such a problem to the church??" -- that's one of the themes in The DaVinci Code.

Rachel! How wonderful to get a post from Spain. Your itinerary sounds hectic, but I know you are visiting places you love.

I had to laugh at your explanation of Introverts dealing with Extroverts! But so true! I remember I had to take several days to wind down from the Convergence. Sensory overload, but so much FUN!

I have been to your site before, but I'll check out those pages!

Have a fantastic time, my friend!

Terry & Donna: HI!

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

I did not get my ironing done yesterday. I spent most of the day working on the jigsaw puzzle. At dinner, Bob spilled a glass of water. While on the floor mopping it up, I saw how disgustingly dirty the floor was. That's next week end's project.

I'm going in a little later today. Heaven! I am still not 100% sure about this job. It's very stressful because it is so hectic. She has two kids, and they are home for summer vacation. So there's the occasional kid problem. The phones ring incessantly. When I need a question answered, she is always on the phone. Then there is the walkie-talkie. Crew always calling in for one problem or another. I don't have a desk yet. I feel pulled hither and yon. She has plans for making a nice office area in the basement. She is buying me a computer this weekend and is having our computers networked. So, I will see. The up side is that it's close to home and somewhat flexible.

Have a great 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

Better late than never, I guess, so here I am. We had a great weekend even though the weather went down the toilet on Sunday. Saturday was gorgeous so I got to keep score at the ballgames and work on my tan at the same time. With no dogs with us, I didn't have any responsibilities, so I just totally relaxed. Then went shopping with my girlfriend. We found a store with gorgeous clothes, expensive, but gorgeous. I didn't have to wear my old clothes to the dance afterall. hehe. I bought new capris in the most beautiful turquoise blue and a top with the same blue and black and silver running through it. After all the stress of the last couple of weeks...I felt I deserved a treat. I did manage to take off all the price tags before dh saw them though. lol

When it came time to leave for the dance my inlaws and sister in law said I had to model for them and when I walked out onto their deck their responses just made my day. They loved the colour and gave me all kinds of compliments. What a way to leave for a dance....with a big head.

Sunday it was cold and rainy but we got knocked out of the tournament in the morning so just headed home early.

Terry: I'm not sure about the pennies working for slugs...I found a few in the garden and the slugs didn't seem to mind. And as for putting out beer to drown them....I'd rather save it for putting in my slowcooker with a roast. If you haven't tried it you have to....just put a half bottle of beer in with a roast and let it cook all day. It will come out so tender. And if you like beer...it makes the best gravy according to my father in law.

Shelley: Okay, what mahjong game is it? I absolutely love mahjong. Have you tired Mahjong Eternity. I'm hooked on that one now. I love your glasses too...hope they can get them set up just right for you.

Peg: Good for you for getting your flowers. Don't wait for a nice day to plant them. Flowers like to be planted on cool, cloudy day. They don't go into so much of a shock that way.

Barb: Woohoo....on the race. I'd never make it to the corner let alone as far as you went. You did deserve that medal.

Brenda: My inlaws totally spoiled my furkids. Can you picture Lily sitting on a chair getting fed toast by my mother in law? Also, she took them outside and while they slept on the deck she sat with them so they wouldn't be lonely. She tired to tiptoe back into the house but when she opened the door and looked down, there they were sitting right by her. So, she went and sat down again. Totally spoiled by their grandparents!!

Rachel: Oh, I'd love to be with you traveling in Europe. Looks like you've got something packed into every minute. Enjoy!

My sister in law tried to give me a lecture on getting my dd some therapy. She thinks she's a social worker just cause she works for the welfare department. Finally, I just told her to shut up. But, she did get me all worked up and poor dh had to listen to me rant about his sister. I refuse to get the guilts back!!

Looks like it's a go for us to go to Washington this weekend. Especially since dh asked his parents to come with us. I've already made it plain that I'm not cooking and cleaning for everyone this weekend. And since he said he would take them to the casino, I'm not cutting my shopping trip short. We'll see. They are excited about going. My dmil has already started packing and making a list of things she would like to buy. We all do get along really well, I guess I was just looking for a weekend just for me. Sounds pretty selfish to me now.

Back to work for me. Only 2 more hours and I can fly away from this place and start all over at home. Lucky me!!

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

Oh mi gawd, you guys!

We are all SO busy!

Got my impatiens in this morning with Alyssum lining the bed. I bought white Impatiens to put in the middle and purple graduated out. It will look spectacular, I think. I am wiped out from that bending and then from the Dr. this afternoon.

I'm going to have BIG surgery in August. My Urologist and Urogynecologist will coordinate it and it will be about 2 hours long. But, they say it is an outpatient procedure, which means that I probably won't have to stay overnight. I'll have it at UMass Memorial Hospital, which is here in my hometown.

Yeah, Bren. That is BIG weather! I would S**t, I think, if lightening struck my house! Partly because, if I fried my electronics, it would a cold day in you know where before I would get any more.

Judy: Sounds as if they are getting their $$ out of you!!

Sorry, again, to spend so much time on myself. You guys, I am a little flummoxed by this surgery and by the Drs. appt. this afternoon which HURT! I haven't had a Gyn exam in 6 or 7 years. He said it was because I am post menopausal. Okay. But, it HURT!

DH is fixing dinner even though it is my turn. I'm out flat on the couch. See ya tomorrow

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

Ouch, Peg! Sorry that was such an uncomfortable experience in every way. Sometimes I think male gyns just don't get it. Until August is a long time to wait (and brood about) surgery. Consider Alida's example of matter-of-factness, but whimper here whenever you need to.

Donna, thanks for the weekend report. Bet you were the Belle of the Ball. The colors of your new outfit sound beautiful.

Alida, how was your day? You have a lot going on. To answer your questions: Sophia is a Greek word meaning wisdom. I believe it's actually used in Gk translations of scripture, such as Proverbs or Ecclesiastes, where Wisdom is praised, but don't quote me on that. The mystery of the Trinity cannot be explained with labels, so it doesn't bother me a bit to apply a feminine name to the Spirit "person."

When I was growing up as an Air Force brat, "home" was wherever my immediate family went. I never lived in one place more than one or two years until I was in junior high. Often, my schoolmates were other service kids, so we all adapted and made friends quickly. The toughest time occurred when I arrived in SC, and went to school with "civilians" who had all grown up together. They had trouble accepting a very different kind of a girl--that would be me--with a funny accent and a forthright manner. Destiny brought me back to Kansas City, my actual birthplace, by way of employment at Hallmark, so I'm truly "home" right here.

Speaking of lightning--I don't have a surge protector on my computer when I'm using it in the living room via wireless. Sunday morning--before I even suspected it was raining--there was a giant crash of thunder. I'd better get that surge protector (for what it's worth) before I have reason to be sorry.

One day of induction almost over...I think I'll go to bed early.

Nighty-nite!

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


My Fitday Journal

Howdy ya'll!
This will be a fly by tonight...I'm pooped out...and Barb may have the right idea....early bedtime. Now if I wouldn't wake up at 0300 in the morning, I'd gladly hit the hay at oh, maybe 2030 or so....sigh.
Tomorrow will be another 0400 wake up day.

Alida...I didn't realize you were working out of a home environment...I guess I just thought it was an office setting. I can definitely see where kiddos on summer vacation would be distracting. Hope it will all work out. You are giving it a good trial, that's for sure.

Barb...nitey-nite! How did your first day of re-induction go? I'm sure you breezed through it with flying colors Your ability to focus is sooooooo admirable...golly...I can only wish for such *focus-ability*

Peg...I, to, am sorry you didn't have a pleasant exam today. Please feel free to email me with any questions or concerns you might have. I may or may not have an answer for you, but I have resources and I can get you an answer. Sending lots of (((hugs))) and prayers for a successful surgery and a quick recovery. By the way...when will you be traveling back to SOCA?

Bren...yeah...WOWZERS on the exploding shed in the back yard!!!! That would definitely scare the beejebers outta me!! Yep...BIG weather for sure! I had a lightening show on the way to work this morning, actually. It rained like crazy at work, and DH said we didn't get a drop here at the house...grrrrrrrr!

Judy and Rach...hola! Hope you both are well

Donna....I'm a mahjong junkie at various times. To tell the truth, I'm pretty sure it's leading me down the path to Slugdom...LOL. OK...now my dirty little secret is out!
The mahjong game that my computer guy put on my new 'puter is called
*Hoyle puzzle & board games, 2005* It has fantastic graphics and sound effects. I play with the Egyptian tiles and "floating" music. It's the bomb for sure!

Teel...What did you do today? Hope you are well!

OK, galpals...gotta scoot and hit the shower and get my brekki and lunch ready for tomorrow. If anyone watches a show called *Everwood* on the WB, tonight's 2hr show will be the series finale...dang-it! I love Treat Williams and am truly distraught they are cancelling this show. I don't get it...why do they(the networks) put on shows of someone eating worms and getting sick on camera,(TMI) and take off a good drama, yanno? Beyond me...

later, chickadees!

Shell

__________________
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Shelley
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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 was working on a longish post this morning when my laptop did it's mysterious shut-down-without-warning trick. That's getting so old. I have the name of a guy who is supposed to be good with computer repairs. Must be time to break down and trust the problem to a stranger. I don't remember what all I wrote... I'm sure it was deep and profoundly moving, though. >:> weelll... you know the axiom, Turn over the problem solving to anyone who offers "free" advice, don't you? he he... why not ask ~her~ to talk to your daughter? Turning over the problem to advice givers usually causes them to shut their, uh, ...trap and drop it. Say something like, "...You have such special knowledge and expertise in these matters, maybe you could get her on the right path?" At that point DSInL has two choices, to try to help your daughter directly or ... shut up. Then, if she should start in again, you can always say, "oh, last time you brough this up, I was so hopeful that you could use your special expertise to get her some help." <<wicked, yes!>>

Peg, the flowers sound like they will be stunning. Be sure to take pictures and share them here. Hopefully a couple of pain relievers and a hot soaky bath will get you feeling better soon.

Brenda, that lightening experience would scare the beejabbers out of me. Wow, indeed! And, you lost your electronics... big OUCH in the pocket book there.

Alida, I don't like working at home, and I would think that would go double for working in someone else's home! Hopefully, they will realize their business has outgrown a home office.

Shelley, we used to play mahjong when I was in college. I'm not sure we played it correctly - we didn't have a clue about what to do with the betting sticks. I have that Hoyle program CD somewhere, but I only installed the Solitaire suite.

Most of my weekend related to Mrs. B's internment (Friday) and memorial services (Saturday). I helped out with food and setup for the reception and stayed to help them with the clean-up after. Sunday, I had one of her daughters - the one who hosted the reception - with her 2 daughters over to dinner.

I'm waiting for the contractor to stop by to look at a small project of straightening out a tangle of piping and conduit along side the fence. They put the utilities above ground in this unit for some obscure reason. Over the years, it looks like they added to it, but never removed the obsolete pipes. I know some are obsolete because they don't connect at one end. Mike's a great guy and a good contractor - honest, competent and not expensive. But, he's very chatty and has trouble leaving one person to go to the next; so he's often later than he says he will be.

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

So nice to read everyone's posts through the day. I just lost one, too, TB--what is it with that? However, the loss was my own fault... Anyway, much to comment on but will wait until tomorrow, or until the wee "Alida" hours if I'm up again.

Hugs to all, sorry to be so short.

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

G'morning, galpals. The birdies are twittering and so am I. I was asleep by nine o'clock last night, and slept through like a rock. Thanks, I needed that. I'm working at home today. Like you Teel, I don't like working at home, but this research calls for cable tv, and access is easier at home.

I'm working on a collection of cards featuring sound chips. The ones I'm assigned involve cartoon characters, so I'll be spending the day on Boomerang channel (which I didn't even know existed), looking for Daffy Duck, The Jetsons, The Flintstones, etc. I'll also be surfing iTunes and Amazon for sound clips. Hey--it's a tough job, but...well, you know.

Donna, I think Teel's script for dealing with "helpful advice" is splendid. Let us know how it works.

One measly day of induction produced a nice little whoosh. I've learned not to take variations of 3-5 lbs. too seriously, but I'd rather the blip be down than up. The main purpose of this "induction"--mainly just trying to adhere to very low carbs for a few days--is to tune up my awareness. For me, there's a wonderful difference in getting back on the low-carb track than the low-cal/low-fat one. NO dread factor at all. No feeling of cheerless deprivation. I'm perpetually grateful for a strategy that works so well for me, and it doesn't hurt to make it my normal lifestyle.

Peg, good luck with the class tonight. What's the subject?

Well, wish me luck with Daffy Duck. I'll be online all day. Th-th-that's all, folks!

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


My Fitday Journal