Hey all... ...this'll be a quick note before I go to bed... long day - I have a NASTY HEAD COLD all of a sudden (started this morning) and Aunt Flo arrived last night (it never rains it pours) - so I'm feeling generally MISERABLE (at least it's a weekend and I can hang in the hotel room and read and sleep)....

Peg, hope the re-write goes well, I hope the showing goes well, I hope the timeshare trip goes well, I hope the FM flare disappears... and having been to Ghana recently - I can imagine how lovely that material is!

Alida, I'm so glad you're back, and that Bob's heart issues were caught as they were. I know there are annoying things around the house to focus on - but is is such a relief to have him home and on track again with lots of good advice behind him.

I am actually in Armenia until July 28th - two more weeks - then to Tbilisi for a few hours then on a plane for the US. NJ initially then to the cabins in MA - we hope. I need to get on the stick and get some emails sent to potential employers for the fall. DH and I plan to get back down to DC in September and get to work.

Donna, I agree with Peg and Alida and everyone who says - this whole bathroom thing has got to be in violation of some labor codes/laws. I hope you can help them to see the light and get this resolved - I cannot even imagine.. heck, were I am now, I'm in the bathroom 6-7 times a day for all the water and tes I'm taking in!

ok gals... I must take this Nyquil and go crawl into bed - I feel like h*ll. See you all tomorrow!

__________________
Hugs, Rachel







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

Okay, guys, I get the idea. Monday I will be having a talk with my boss. I'm very prone to bladder infections if I can go when I need to and it's just not nice not being able to even wash my hands. One of the truckers brought me big jugs of water so I could fill the back of the toilet tank and still be able to use the toilet but that's not very nice either. We'll see what he says. And, yes, it is in violation of the labour codes....as if he cares.

I am so glad that I popped in here today. You guys have no idea how close I was to throwing this woe away. Again this morning I still didn't lose any weight and I just figured "to h*ll with it. Maybe lc stops working after awhile? So, I was going to bow out. After reading everything you've all posted about possibly gaining weight with all the walking and not being able to drink all the water I need, it makes sense. So, I will continue on....thanks everyone. Guess I needed a kick in the butt. I even plugged everything into Fitday and found yesterday was just 34 carbs. I didn't think that was too bad. I'll just take it one day at a time.

I'm waiting for my floors to dry now after giving them a well needed washing. My company comes in a couple of hours for our BBQ and I haven't even done the grocery shopping yet. Good thing I washed myself right into this room so I could have my "girlfriend fix" also.

My name from my grandkids is Gramma also. I can't stand Granny, and when I hear Nana I think of my Nana who was so special it seems a sin to take her name. Like everyone else says....it was the grandkids who named us. Dh is Poppa and we never even thought about that name for him. The other grandpa is Papere (french for grandpa) and the other Gramma is called the same as me. I think the kids decided that we were Gramma Ashcroft and Gramma Savona (for the towns we live in).

Sorry I have to cut this short, but I really do need to go and get groceries or my company won't be eating tonight. ((((Huggs)))) to everyone.

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

Hi guys,
I'm following along at a distance. Also *dealing* with a few things, so I"m probably not very good company at the moment...har!
Hope to be back in the loop soon. I am also buckling down again with strict and careful portion control, walking, and water drinking...so I hope to get out of this weight funk.

So, carry on, chickadees, I'm with ya in spirit!

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!

According to the local Audobon Soc., Baby Huey is a Brown Headed Cowbird. My SF area bird guide chart doesn't even list cowbirds; but I found a page about them in the Sibley field guide to western North America that shows this area in their range. Still, I don't think I've seen any males, which have a distinctive hood like a junco, but the females look a lot like the more common towhees, so I could have mistaken a cowbird girl for a towhee.

The garden walk was really, really pleasant. Warm and sunny, but not too hot. About a dozen neighbors toured 7 different gardens, all quite nice. Two participants are artists who show in galleries, so we also got to see their in-home "galleries". That was a treat! One man is a sculptor who makes stone carvings and turned wooden bowls. He picks up wooden stumps and tree sections from all over for his bowls, which have a sheen as soft as butter. He also built all of his own kitchen cabinetry out of birdseye maple. Even the refrigerator door had a maple facing. Man, I'm really envious about that!

Another man's works included pen and ink drawings, oil painting, mixed-media pieces, and some wood carving. Obviously, a very talented guy, too.

It was really fun for me to see the different configurations and how different orientations (east/west vs north/south) create rather different microclimates. The potluck brunch was lovely (my deviled eggs were well received); there was melon and berries, and I successfully avoided all the coffeecake and danishes. There was a marble bundt cake that really drew my eye, but I stayed on the other side of the room as much as possible!

My yard was the only one with a pond, so there was a bit of oohing and ahhing over that. The fish obligingly came up to the feeding corner, so people actually got to see them (they won't always perform, you know). And, people liked the wooden swing under the rose arbor, too. Pity the rose wasn't blooming, but it's a spring bloomer and out of season.

Everyone had such a good time, I think we will be doing it again in other seasons. The Russian lady (the complainer) was quite friendly to me and made no demands today (whew!).

I may not get a chance to post again until the middle of the week, so take care of each other while I'm away!

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

Hey gals, I'm behind here too! Gosh I thought I posted late yesterday. I would have sworn I did, but....well maybe I'm expecting you all to read my mind. Anyway, I've sure been thinking about you all and everything that's going on with each of you.


First, Alida, dearest. I hear both the fear and sadness in your description, of seeing DH, in his exhaustion and uncharacteristic disarray as "old" for the first time. It's not that we don't know that each day we and those we love tread on the toes of mortality, but the first time we get such a direct reminder wrenches the heart, I think. (((HUGS)))

Let's see--I'm going to do the MBR and bath in "Barley" and either the same in the LR/DR, or "Desert Tan" The later was one that I think you (and Peg and Judy) liked of the samples in the picture. I didn't have one of Barley at that time. Doesn't tell you much, does it? LOL, maybe I'll take a picture tomorrow.

Judy, great patterns Lucky you to have a stash of good material and a brand new machine. I'll bet your mind is twirling with creative possibilities. I'm with Barb--stunned at the price. However, it seems as though you do get more variations than you used to.

Judy, Barb, yes, I had a great ME day, but not really a terribly indulgent one. Remember that my stylist does not charge me extra for color! Also her price for a haircut is $27.00, which is outrageously low in this area for a haircut--but this is a barber shop, after all And I am more than generous in appreciation of her skill. OK, ok, the pedicure WAS indulgent, and I admit to feeling slightly guilty.

Peg, hope the pickin's in the sermon barrel yielded a humdinger one for tomorrow. The Berkshires? Sounds wonderful! Enjoy!! I am bummed that you are flaring. Dang.

Donna, is this the same friend you gave the surprise party for last year? If so, I remember it was quite a job pulling everything together. You are a dear person and a good friend.

Peg, Donna, it is possible to replace one board in either a wood floor or laminate floor, but it is not easy. A threshold isn't as difficult, fortunately for you, Peg.

TB, how was the garden tour today? What a great way to meet new neighbors. Perhaps this will be the first on more events that bring people together there

Rach, well dear when it rains it pours so to speak. Ok, not a very good pun, but I hope you've got something to take for both the head and the tummy. I gotta say, cramps I don't miss!!

Shelley, I'm going to send you some (((HUGS))) for whatever stuff is going on, ok?
___________________
'Scuse me if I've missed something, and also for not highlighting names tonite. It's a pain to do on this laptop! (edit: ok, fixed that)

My only accomplishment today is going to the "big" mall to look for some towels and "stuff" in my (hopefully) new bedroom colors. JCPenney and 50% off was ringing my bell. Now I also managed to find a few pieces of Polish pottery while I was out, an unintended but pleasant find.

On the homefront, our the motor in our attic ventilation fan burned out, fortunately not causing a fire. Not nearly as much a problem as Peg's and Alida's water damage, or as expensive Judy's AC, but it does mean our AC will be working harder just as we hit this heat wave. It won't get replaced for a while. I wouldn't ask anyone to work in the attic these days.

So everyone who is having way too hot weather, and that's most of us, take care, keep cool, drink......water See you all tomorrow.

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

TB, cross posting again A cowbird? Really! Gosh, I've heard of them, but I wouldn't have a clue what they would look like. Tricky critters those birds and their costumes.

Gosh, what a delightful tour! I'm envying you seeing all the gardens as well as the artwork. You know, it really sounds as though you've selected a unique, charming, and delightful place to live. I've seen artists turn bowls at a "camp" I attended about 10 years ago, Yup, some of the most gorgeous creations are from stumps and other odd pieces. Butter is an excellent description--you want to touch all of them, too, don't you!

Congrats on the successful avoidance of today's carb delights. Deviled eggs? Yum, that would be a hit with me, too!

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

Hi Gang!

Quick post today as I wait for dh to get back from walking and we begin the whilwind of getting ready for two preachers and bkfst. Today is the big open house and the house looks smashing.

((((((hugs)))))))) to Shelley and Alida..........take care of yourselves this day too.

Rachel: Isn't it just like an immune system to let down after a bunch of stress??? And, isn't it just like it to do it when you don't want it and don't have time??? Take care, sister.

Thoughts and love to all of you. We're off after church to the Berkshires and won't have a computer until Tuesday. Don't talk about anything too important, okay?

Love to al!
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

Sunday morning. The heat wave has hit KC. We'll have temps pushing 100 for several days, so it's time to hunker down indoors. Perhaps a good excuse to go to the movies.

Peg, a few days in the Berkshires sounds like heaven right now. Hope you're having/had a wonderful time--and good results from the real estate invasion while you're away.

TB, I remember reading about cowbirds when I was a kid. Big bullies! The garden tour sounds wonderful.

Alida, how now? A few years ago, when DH was having an awful back problem, I took him for an MRI. He was disheveled and limping. The technician asked me a question about my "father"--and he heard it. Believe me, that didn't make him feel any better. Pamper yourself as best you can. Hope Bob will be "spiffy" again in no time.

As for your dil at Hallmark? I'll hope for the best. And yes, if she's working there, you can be her "guest" at the cardshop and discount outlet. But then, you can be MY guest, too. Let me know when!

Had lunch with the girlfriends yesterday. At not-quite-sixty, I'm the youngest by a few weeks--but I look the youngest by years. Tell you what, good nutrition and exercise work better than any cosmetic or cream on the planet to keep that youthful glow. But we all know how hard it is to keep on keeping on with those good habits.

I cleaned and vacuumed my sedan yesterday, and hope the car guy will be calling me in the coming week with an acceptable offer. I might have to proceed to Plan B--Carmax. I just want to get rid of the thing.

The concrete guys will be showing up on Tuesday. They'll demolish and re-pour the garage floor and the driveway. DH is not looking forward to that uproar. I'm trying to prepare for complications. It's always something!

Hello, Donna, Brenda, Rachel, and "viewers." Be well.

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


My Fitday Journal

My post in the Labor Day Loser's Challenge...

I need to do this right now. I need the accountablity of weekly meetings and WI's.

Alida...hugs to you. I'm so sorry Bob had to go through the cath, but glad they found and fixed the vessels.

Barb...we are in the same heat wave...it's ugly! We hit 104 yesterday. I'm just hoping my baby martins are not roasting in their little compartments. Some of the babies have been coming out on the porch. I think they are nearly ready to fly.

Bren...Yay for the color decisions! They sound yummy! JCP has some beautiful bedding and accessories. I actually found the perfect colored towels and bath rugs there when I re-did our MBR/bath last summer.
I know your re-do will look smashing!

Peg...good luck on the showings...and have a relaxing time in the Berks. I'm green with envy! I can hardly wait until vacation! Anything to escape this horrible heat....ugh!

Judy...I bet you've been sewing your little heart out I'm glad you are getting to do what you want on your summer vacation. That does the soul good, eh?

Donna...good luck on Monday with the boss. Be firm! You are in the right about this. No one should have to work in those conditions. That's cruel and inhumane, IMO.

Rach...hope you are feeling better, kiddo. ACK...a summer cold....they are truly the pits, for sure!

Teel...a baby cowbird! I should've known. Yes, they are parasitic nesters. I guess that you could call it *feathered adoption*...LOL.

This week coming up at work is going to be super busy. I may or may not get my day off. I just need to be *ready* with my brekki and lunch, and stay the course.
I do hope you all understand my dilema and my decision to take a *different path* at this time.

(((hugs))) to all the chickadees!
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!

Bren...here's a fairly good pic of a brownheaded cowbird.
We see them alot in pastures where they feed, but we've had multitudes show up at our backyard feeder as well.

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/BOW/BNHCOW/

__________________
~~~~
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!

My allergies have hit big time today so this probably won't be a big post. Running eyes and nose and having a hard time breathing. Damn...when you get older if it's not one thing it's another. I never had allergies when I was younger.

Brenda: What a memory! Yes, this is the same lady I had the surprise party for. She was nervous she said about coming yesterday just in case I had something else up my sleeve. Nope...not this time. We had a really nice visit and they stayed until after dark so they could see all the lights lit up in the garden. They live in an apartment so she misses her garden.

Terry: Ohhh, the garden walk sounds right up my alley. I'd love to have seen them all. I'm a real toucher when it comes to "things" so I'd have to have been touching the carvings. Maybe he could carve you the bird you want for the pond?

Good going on staying away from the goodies. Wish I could say the same. I only had a hamburger patty with cheese, onion and tomato and some green salad. But....instead of making a birthday cake for my friend, dh went to Dairy Queen and got a double chocolate ice cream cake. Sorry....I just couldn't resist. I could give all kinds of excuses like it was so hot outside, but the real reason is that I just wanted it and didn't give a damn. I'm so lucky that I didn't gain this morning ...I was prepared for it. I'm pushing water today.

Peg: You are probably on your way now. Have a great trip and here's hoping for a guick sale of your home.

Shelley: Sounds like you need ((((huggs)))). This is sure the place to come for them. If WW is what you need right now, you go for it. You won't lose your place by the fire for that.

Judy: I bet you're sewing your heart out right now. What's the next project for Olivia. I to, couldn't believe the cost of patterns. Last time I bought one I think they were around $4.

Barb: Any luck on the car yet? I bet you're enjoying the convertible in this heat. It's hit here again after a few nice cloudy cool days. Really hard to breathe when it gets this hot. But, I can imagine in a few months we'll all be complaining about it being too cool. Just can't make us happy at any time.

Rachel: I sure hope you've gotten lots of rest this weekend. Summer colds are the worst. Take care, girl.

Okay, I think I'm going to grab my book and head for the recliner outside. (That means take a nap. lol) See you all tomorrow.

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

Hi all, hope everyone's keeping cool today.

Peg, I know you're already gone, but I'll have fun thinking about your lovely getaway.

Barb, perhaps the car guy will come today so you won't have to bother any further. Let's hope. Oh goodness, new garage floor and driveway next week? Sounds like one of those necessary projects, the kind that are great once they're over with, you know? A nice driveway does make a property look so much better, though.

Shelley, believe me, no explanations required. It's all about what works for the individual, and we'll cheer for you no matter what plan you follow. I do believe there's a lot to be said for the kind of accountability WW gives its members, as well the structure. I know you also have a specific goal in mind. Hey, everything in place for success!

Aha, so that's a cowbird? I'll bet I've seen them all over and never really paid attention. Talk about lazy parenting.

Donna, you sound miserable. The heat plus allergies isn't a pleasant combination, so take care. Have at that nap this afternoon!

I'm glad your friend enjoyed her party. I imagine both your garden at night and the ice cream cake were spectacular So she was nervous about another surprise? LOL!

Judy, Alida, TB, Rachel, Everyone Else
_______________________
Not much going on here--a quick venture out to help DDad pick out a shower curtain, some paperwork, a tad of cleaning, a load of laundry and frankly just a smidge of this, that, and theother. No problem, I'm an experienced this, that, and the other professional!.

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

Shelley -- (((HUGS))), no explanation needed. Do what works for you. We all have individual bodies that have to be tweaked to get them the way we want. Believe me, I know that calories count, I just don't want to think about it right now.

Ok, this is random and rambling.............. DH has gone to Dallas to spend the night with DS. DS is changing jobs and now has to have his own car instead of driving a company car. They will be back tomorrow. The new car is at a dealer here in Longview. Soooo, with the knowledge that DS would be here for a day or two, I wrestled an old suitcase from the top of the closet. It had baby things in it that I had saved from DS and DD. I wanted to get four dresses that I had hand smocked when DD was a baby. I'm passing them on to Olivia with the stipulation that they will go to DD if she ever has a girl. Needless to say, I got teary eyed as I unfolded all the tiny little things I remembered by babies wearing when they came home from the hospital, etc. There were even some dresses that my grandmother had made for me. I had forgotten that Mother had given them to me. The other side of the suitcase held some wedding things that had been Mother's and a fancy dress that had been MIL's.......... hummm, there's another suitcase up there........... what's in that one??? What a surprise when I opened it and found an old bridesmaid dress and a couple of formals from about age 19. One of the formals was a deep dark red velveteen dress that I wore in the Miss Cotton of Texas pageant and for my formal sorority presentation. As a fluke I decided to see how far off a couple of them were from zipping. I shouldn't have even tried. I mean the things didn't even want to go up on my arms, and the zippers lacked about 8 inches zipping. I must have been rail thin............ and at the time I thought I was fat. One skirt in the suitcase had a highwaisted skirt with a tiny little waist band. I know that I wore it before babies. Dang, if you want depressing and a slap in the face of reality, find something that's 35 years old and try it on. Middle age spread is here.

Shelley.......... I may have to consider a new effort, too. 10 pounds gained in the last year is definitely the wrong direction. I weighed 128 when I got married -- 35 years ago. This morning it was 148. I'd be happy to split the difference and get back to the 138 that I was last year. What happened to me since Christmas???

rambling rant over............... time to clean house instead of sitting on my butt with my face in a book.

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

Alida, I don't think I ever answered your air conditioning question. We bought an Arco-Air system. It's not one of the big name systems, but the dealer we got it from has been here forever. Several neighbors had this brand and were very pleased with it and with the dealer's service. Among things we found out while shopping the system is that all you can reasonably expect a system to do in our heat and humidity is to cool about 25 degrees lower than the outside temp. Right now it's 102 outside with a heat index of 106. I have the thermostat set on 75. It has achieved that and cuts off for short periods of time even with the outside temp as high as it is. We don't really expect to see big savings this month since it's been about 100 everyday since we changed out the system. We do feel a much greater volume of air being moved and overall are pleased so far.

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

Hi all?

Well had a congested, water-eyed weekend but it?s not bad enough to keep me from the office ? where I am now! And I finally moved rooms ? no more noise? I ended up in a small suite? which I don?t need, but h*ll I?m here for two more weeks ? the least they can do is make me comfortable, right?

Shelley, I cheer you on in your decision to go back to WW ? and it seems as if you are modifying your plan to suit your needs ? this is fantastic. I sure understand the weekly weigh-ins. It was the one part of WW that really kept me honest and on my toes. I didn?t even know the women who weighed us in ? but my pride kept me from cheating so that I always lost something. Good for you and please keep us updated.

My first week of ?Armenian Induction? has been successful. I weighed approx 150 (68 kgs) last Monday morning and this morning on the scale in my new room I was 147 (66.5 kgs). I know three pounds isn?t huge and I still need to lose 5-6 more to get to pre-Spain weight ? but my clothes are fitting better already and I can tell I?m losing inches. I am maintaining 20-24 net carbs a day and like Shelley, am watching calories carefully (hovering between 1000-1200).

Peg, hope you are enjoying the Berkshires!

Terry, I loved the description of your garden party? I agree it sounds like a lovely, lovely place to live ? and I?m sure everyone was delighted with your yard and pond. What a treat!

Judy, a year or so ago or whenever it was that I was down to 136 and thinking I might actually get to goal weight one day ? I found and tried on a gorgeous dark blue velvet bridesmaid dress that I?d worn in 1989 at a best friend?s winter wedding? zip it up? Surely you jest! And the arms? Same thing, I wondered how on earth I?d ever worn it ? and I was at 136 when I'd re-tried it ? thinking I was getting so close. It might actually have been the moment I decided to have a couple of Mom?s Xmas cookies. Sort of a ?what the h*ll? attitude came over me.

Sounds like you and Barb, and Alida, and Shelley are all having the heat wave. Yerevan, although so far from you all ? is in the same boat? temps all weekends up to the low 100s ? just nasty outside. Gotta love an air-conditioned hotel room.

Barb, I?ve always been curious ? are convertibles actually comfortable in the high heat? I think of them as being swell in the late Spring or early Fall when it?s sunny but cool. In the summer I think of convertibles as sort of Thelma and Louise-ish ? hot, sticky, no relief from the sun beating down on you, etc? But since I?ve never had one ? I have no idea.

Donna, I hope your allergies are not too active this week. Yeah, DH never had allergies in his life and suddenly at about age 50 ? BOOM ? and now it?s Singulaire at night and Claritin every morning. What a bummer!

Brenda... I love specializing in this, that, and the other... now if someone would just pay me my daily rate to do them!

ok gals... hope to chat with you all again soon!

__________________
Hugs, Rachel







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