Hi guys!
Just got back from my walk...70 min/3.98mi/>9500 steps. STBO!!!! I decided to walk outdoors this morning instead of waiting for the gym to open at 1200. Yesterday was gym day though.

We got an unexpected 1.5 inches of rain last evening when a BIG old thunderboomer rolled through...yipeee!!!! Of course, I washed my car yesterday, so I'm pretty sure my lil rain dance-car wash is what caused this cosmic phenomenon...snort!!!

Alida...yes...you are a sharp cookie, m'dear. The doc did say 5% max, but to make my workout a little more challenging, I went up in increments of 2 on the TM...so I had 3 levels ...2,4,and 6. Anyhooo...knee is still twinging, and I can definitely tell when the mega-motrin wears off. But, it doesn't hurt any worst than if I don't do the TM, yanno?

Barb...cool that you made a photo gallery online. I'll hustle right over there and check it out and see if I can locate you. You know, another reason I don't think I'm going to do an iPod is that I've heard when the battery dies, you have to send it back to the factory for a costly replacement...it's not one you can do yourself.

Bren....do you know anything about that little rumor??? True or False??? I read it somewhere, but darned if I can remember where. Now, an iPod shuffle does pique my interest. It will hold 99 songs I believe, and I could certainly boogie on down the road(or TM as the case might be) with 99 old R&R songs...heh! Old rock-n-rollers never die...they just get root canals, bifocals, and joint replacements...LOL!!!!

Judy...I do believe you resemble your DDad...I think you have his eyes? Yes? It is a really sweet picture...would make a nice enlargement, yanno?
How's *diggity dog* doing? More holes??? Lordy, that dog can dig!!!

Donna...hope you are having fun...I bet you are! Can't wait for a weekend report on Monday from you.

Teel...yes, how is your back feeling? Hope you are much improved. I bet you did spend some prime time uploading all your pics....wow. Again...they are super, and if you asked me, you could do a tourism brochure for Victoria, m'dear You've sold me on going!!! Hummmmmm.....a *convergence* in BC...yanno, I can envision this!!!


Peg, Rach...hola!!!

Alrighty girls...off to shower, fix some lunch and then I am going to make some homemade marinara sauce for a chicken dish I want to fix for dinner tonight. Of course if DH opens his mouth and wants to take me on a dinner date, I'll just have dinner for tomorrow night already premade...LOL.

__________________
~~~~
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!

Barb...great pics!!! You can tell by your pics that you had a fantastic time...and hey...love that lil' ol container of *Maritas*...YUM-O!!!!
You look maaarrvelous, as always!
Thanks for sharing...we are a *visual* group for sure!!!

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!

Barb, Getting together out at the Legends would be fun. I get to KC every couple of months... I'm going to try for October.

Alida... if we all waited till we lost that 15 lbs we would never get to go anywhere. When I first started on this forum... I wanted to lose 10 lbs. Now I want to lose back to where I was when I joined...

Hey gang, sheesh I'm here late today!!

Barb, LOVED the pictures. I'm going to assume also that the great smiles were only partially a result of the bucket o' margaritas Really, though what fun you sis's have. I'll bet the BBQ and resulting sis time, is one of the highlights of your year.

Barb, Shell, on the iPod--being a Mac product, it's actually user friendly enough for me to use. The software to transfer cd's or download songs from iTunes works really well, IMO. I've never tried to transfer audio books, so maybe Peg can tell you about that. Barb, I'm hopelessly techno-challenged myself--no shame in having talent elsewhere than in geekland.

About the battery, Apple will replace the iPod if you have a failure within a year (I think it's a year.) After that Apple is not going to tell you, but there are aftermarket battery replacement kits available that work extremely well. For about $15 you get a battery, good instructions, and even a special tool you need for the installation.

Shell, the only thing I have against the Shuffle is that you can either play music in the order you loaded it, or you can play however the Pod shuffles it. As I understand it, you can't pick what you want to hear any other way. When I want music, I usually want specific music. If you don't care what comes up (like for workouts maybe), then no problem. LOL, Yup we're gonna rock and roll right into the "home."

Alida, the i-Pods run from about $69 for the smallest Shuffle to about $400, I think. I got DH the $400 video iPod, reconditioned and warrantied as a new one for $200. He will be (and certainly should be) a happy birthday boy.

And hey, sure was nice to see a nice post from you this morning. Wow, I'm impressed at all the repair work DS was able to do for you. That must be such a relief to get some of those naggy things done. AND, hope you really enjoyed your dinner celebration this evening with the other DH and family. Gosh I do hate to get those young twits on the phone, too. Do hope you got seated!

Shelley, RAIN! WOOHOO!!! So, was it chicken marinara or dinner date? Inquiring minds and all that......

Berta, hey, nice to see you. You'd have fun with the gals, I know! Ya know, you might as well hang out here a little more.

So, Peg, TB, Judy, Rach, Donna--thinking of you all this evening.
______________________
Nothing exciting here today. Spray painted a wicker chest for my Dad which turned out really nicely. But woo, inhaled much too much paint fumes (wobble, urp) and believe it or not got a blister on my "spray" index finger. Other than that.......well, like the book title, "after the ecstasy, the laundry." So true today.

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

Monday morning. Yawn!!

Bren, about those fumes? My DH says he thinks he had a happy childhood largely because he spent so many hours in his little room building model airplanes. Who really thought about glue-sniffing back then?

I have to watch the time more closely this morning, because today's the beginning of my new resolution to ride the bus to work--at least twice a week. It's a good habit to establish, not only in support of public trans, but also because the Miata isn't the most reliable vehicle for KC winters, and I want the bus driver to know where to stop on those snowy days.

Ah...snow. Well, autumn is in the air just a tiny bit, and the kids are back in school. So, the rest is on the way for sure.

My weight is back to baseline this morning. I may never break that 130 threshold, but I'm tellin' ya, life is good at maintenance. God bless Dr. Atkins and the LC strategy. It's the best WOE I ever managed to sustain for any length of time. Of course, exercising like a maniac is a pretty good habit, too, don't you think, Shelley?

Off to wrap up the deviled eggs for lunch. Starting a new writing project for Feminine Relatives today. But of course, I'll be taking my mini-breaks with ya'll. Take care. Have a good week.

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


My Fitday Journal

Hi Gang!

I'm back, and have read back three pages! How good it is to be able to "catch up" that way and not feel as though I have missed all the conversation in my absence!

I had a wonderful week in SoCa. Good time with bf. She and I viewed 6 apartment complexes and multi apartments on Wednesday, and I rented one in Rancho Cucamonga. When I can find a "clean" link to it, I will post. It is 2 bdrms and 2 baths, with a fireplace and a garage. It's got a beautiful view of the mountains from the balcony. It's on the second floor. (Only two floors) And, it has the requistie gym, 2 pools, business center, CAT5 wiring, playground (gkid will love), and a beautiful green park next door. 7.2 miles of walking and biking trails surround the complex. I think it will be a good choice for the interim.

Also a spectacular time with dd3 and gkids. More later. I need to go and shower and get my nails done. Got to get them cut this time. I went with long nails for CA, and they are driving me crazy.

Back 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

Monday...busy as usual, but I'm taking a break to talk with my friends here.

We had a wonderful time on the weekend. Weather was great....almost too hot during the day but chilly at night, which we solved by sitting around a bonfire drinking far too much. Someone had a bottle of cinnamon fireball which was passed around so that definitely took of some of the chill. The dogs loved it....no leashes. And everyone's dogs get along just all of us do. The guys didn't win any of their games, but they win the prize for having the most fun. All in all, it was a shame to see the weekend end.

We stopped in at dh's parents on the way home and the news isn't good for my fil. Looks like he has bone cancer. He's in a lot of pain already and is talking like he isn't even going to fight it. He's refusing to buy any shirts, which he needs, cause he says he won't get to wear them anyway. *sigh* So sad. He's such a sweetheart. Anyway, he goes for blood tests today and then asap he'll have an MRI where they have to inject dye into you to see how far it's spread. I don't think we'll be travelling too far from home until we know what's going on.

As for my problem for next weekend I think we have it solved. I refuse to drive the motorhome cause it's just too big...scares me going around corners cause I think I might sideswipe someone. So....I'll drive into town first thing in the morning picking up Micayla on the way. We'll shop til we drop and then dh will drive into town with the dogs and we'll meet at his parents house. We'll get changed there and they are welcome to come to the party too. The dogs can stay at their house where they are comfy. And, we'll spend the night. The next day we can go back as far as Micayla's house and be on top for my grandson's birthday party. Whew...that takes care of that weekend.

We've got something going on for the next 5 weekends. Shopping and an anniversary party this weekend, then camping with ds and family, then another wedding, then another baseball/camping weekend, then a team BBQ. I'm sure going to appreciate my time when I do get a weekend at home.

Terry: Loved the pictures. I haven't been to Victoria since the year I got married (the 2nd time) so that would be about 18 years now. A lot has changed. It's still beautiful though. Thanks for sharing.

Barb: You too...loved the pictures. You guys have so much fun it makes me envious. I always wanted a sister...but ended up with 2 stepsisters and we just ignore each other.

Peg: So glad to have you back. And it's so nice that you found a place to nest. Sounds great with all the parks and pools etc. And.....you won't have any snow this winter to worry about. Now, I'm really envious. We can feel fall in the air and I think it's going to be an early winter. You'll have to put up with me being cranky again. lol

Judy: What a great picture of your dad and daughter. That's something to treasure. I'd get it blown up for sure. And a haircut too? That always makes me feel good.

Rachel: You're missed muchly...but we've still got your seat waiting by the fire.

Shelley: You walked how many steps? Boy, do I ever feel like a woosy now. I thought I was really doing something special when I walked 4885 steps, but you doubled me girl. Wish I could find somewhere to walk that far around here. I'd end up in the river or up a mountain. lol I didn't walk this weekend but I'm raring to go tonight.

Alida: Isn't that nice that you got all those leaks fixed. I'd love to have someone handy come and visit me. What a big list I could give them.

This weekend I'm going to fill my dh's truck before I leave for town and he can drop it all off at ds's house. Won't I be popular. Well, it's all the toys he used to have as a kid so his kids can have them. Plus I have a desk for Micayla's room, which will come in handy for her going to school. What do they say? One man's junk is another man's treasure? hehehehe

My poor dd is sooo sick. She has pneumonia!! She called me this morning saying she wasn't feeling well and thought she had an ear infection. She's had problem ears even since she was tiny so I told her to go to the doctor. Luckily they fit her in right away. It's definitely pneumonia and she said she also has bronchitis. Shelley...is that possible? Anyway, she's on megga doses of antibiotics (which of course, I had to pay for....goodby $100). Then she was afraid to call her dad to tell him she just couldn't work today. So, I had to arrange to have her shift covered and then call him and tell him what I had done. I hope he feels like crap now. Those two just never did get along like they should have.....blending two families just doesn't always make for the Brady Bunch. So, she's now got 3 days off, so I'm hoping she feels better by Thursday when she should be working again. She just can't afford to be off longer than that.

Geez, I guess I should get back to work. I do tend to ramble on sometimes. Talk to you all tomorrow I hope.

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

Hi guys,
On the fly tonight...
first of all....WELCOME HOME Pegster!!!! We've missed ya, woman!!!
Glad you've found interim housing that makes you happy

Donna...bronchitis is inflamation of the mucous membrane of the bronchial tubes in the lungs; pneumonia is inflamation of the lung/lungs caused primarily by bacteria, a virus or chemical irritants. Usually a diagnosis of pneumonia is made/confirmed with a chest x/ray and the infiltrates are seen in the lungs. Bronchial pneumonia is a type of pneumonia due to mixed bacterial infection and can be associated with other causes like surgery, aspiration, or a chronic pulmonary disease. Anyhooooo.to answer your question, yes you can have bronchitis and a pneumonia at the same time. Hope your DD feels better soon.

Bren...we did the dinner date this evening. Woohoo...I was glad to get out of KP tonight as today at work was a booger. Thanks for the headsup on the battery pack on the iPod...I just may reconsider.

Alida, Barb, Judy, Rach, Teel...

Alrighty gal pals...tomorrow is my day off, then the rest of the week looks intense.
We are starting to feel the *end of the year* crunch already. I can only imagine what it will be like by October

Sorry I didn't chat with everyone, I'll try for a nice visit tomorrow...after the gym, and a run to the grocery store, and a mall run to the Clinique counter, and.....

later chickadees!
(((hugs to all)))
Shelley

__________________
~~~~
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!

If I still have a chair by the fire, I'll drop in on it for a minute. My schedule at school is NOT conducive to mid day chats. I have classes straight through until the last period. By then prep for the next day and grading from today take precedence. I am generally one of the last to leave, but my goal is to get out of there with minimal if any "homework." Some days are better than others. I have two student assistants --- to replace the absolutely wonderful one that I had last year. They are the only thing that keeps my head above water. Without them I would be grading daily work late late every night. With something like 115 students this semester, that's a lot of papers. I generally have something every day that must be graded. It's about the only way to keep them on their toes and paying attention. Right now, I think I'm leading the pack as "bi+ch of the year." I took up another cell phone during class (third of the year). It costs the kids $15.00 to get it back each time it's taken up. After the first time they have detention or other disciplinary action, too. This year's seniors had three years under our very lax former principal. It shows.........there are some straight running fools in this group who believe that rules do not apply to them. Thank goodness I have AP kids next semester. I'll be past the worst of the group both in numbers and in actions.

Barb and Teel............ I sent you notes re your wonderful pictures. Thanks for sharing them with me. Terry, I really want to go to BC after seeing those pictures. And Barb, I always want to go to the mountain. I'm jealous.

Who said it was cooling off and they had gotten rain............ give me a break. We've been over 100 for something like 35 days now. Rain??? I've forgotten what it is. This morning at 7:00AM it was already 85 degrees. I'm going to bed and thankful for air conditioning.

Hugs to you all.

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

Tuesday Morning:

Dang, Judy. In addition to having the heat on at school, Mother Nature is still sticking it to you. Can't get a break, as they say. And with 150+ kids pushing your buttons all day...well, I don't know how you do it.

Donna, that weekend trip sounds like just what you needed. I'm so sorry you're dealing with so much illness in your family. No matter how you try to let it go, you still have feelings and responsibilities. One day at a time--that's all we get. Take care of you.

Shelley, I'll bet your "day off" is the hardest workday of all. Try to do at least one thing fun or relaxing, okay?

I'm sliding back into my regular routine, and trying to lay low. Now I can pay more attention to the details of the NZ trip in October, which is just around the corner. I have enough plans in place to feel comfortable now. And it's not like we're going to Timbuktu. If I need something, I'm sure I can find it there. Credit cards work like magic around the world.

The inaugural bus ride went smoothly. Usually I'm the only one at the stop near my home in the morning. But yesterday, I met a young woman from Bolivia who has only been in the US for two weeks. She was standing there with her aunt, waiting for the bus to take her to her college. Of course, she was nervous, but they had taken a "trial ride" last week. Perhaps this will be my chance to brush up on my Spanish, as we chat at the bus stop a couple times a week.

Today however, my schedule needs personal wheels.

Peg, glad to hear things are going well for you in CA. Welcome home.

Hello to everyone else. Hope you can find your way to the fireside soon. Or maybe we should be gathering around a big slab of ice instead. With a fan.

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


My Fitday Journal

LOL Barb...ummm, lets say poolside, with a light mist to cool the skin, a gentle breeze and a large bucket of maritas! Ahhhhhhhh.....

OK...who busted my bubble???? We're back up to near 100 today...aacckk!

on my way to the gym....
later 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!

Hi Gang!

Hey, instead of a fire, why don't we gather on my deck this morning? It's 62 degrees here. Definitely Fall in the air. Can't wait to get out of here! Dh LOVES the Fall. And, to tell the truth, it IS beautiful here in leaf-peeping country. But, I'm itching to get going. Actually, dh said last night that he is too. That was nice.

We still have not received the formal offer that is "coming" on the condo. It is 20K less than we are asking, so we are countering with 15K. We'll see what happens. Hopefully we won't lose this buyer. It is amazing what the market is doing right now! We may have to sell for way less than it is worth. I would be sorry to do that to my neighbors. But, the condo across the street sold for 10K less than we are asking just two weeks ago, so that ought to count for something. They don't even have a lake view! So, here is the link to the apt we rented. It doesn't show the floor plan we have. Ours is a two-bdrm upper with a balcony and a fireplace. We will probably be crowded, but it's only for a few months (hopefully)

Judy: That story about your finger waving student was priceless!! Glory be! I can't believe some of your stories about students! When I was in high school (yeah, it was the dark ages) I nearly bowed and groveled with teachers. RESPECT was the watchword. Didn't even think twice about it. I remember lots of fights between students (I grew up in a very low income town with a large Barrio), but teachers were respected even by the gang members. Whooee, could we swap stories, girl!

Donna: So sorry about the illnesses in your family! But, it sounds as if you are having a good time with the Summer wrapup of the baseball team. Your solution for your dgd's bday sounds good.

Barb and Terry: What beautiful pictures. Thanks so much for sharing them.

Terry: Buchart Gardens is definitely one of my favorite vacation memories! I LOVED Victoria, and want to go back again. Since we have two sons in Tacoma, we might get a chance to do that when we get out to the West Coast. Your eye for a picture is stunning!

Barb: It sounds as if your time with your sis's was wonderful as always. I do so envy you "sisters." But, I kind of consider all of you my chosen sisters. As you say, life is short and the way I see it, we can choose relatives along the line too. God knows that some of my chosen relatives are a durn sight more pleasant than my blood ones. In Church I often say: "Water is thicker than blood," urging folks to recognize that their baptism links them to the community of faith in a way that is stronger than blood ties.

It sounds as though you are getting right back on your exercise routine. Wow! In those pictures your work really shows. You are HOT girl! :hot:

Shelley: Hey you Okie, you!! So good to see you every time you post. Your positive attitude just jumps right off the page! I missed you too! Thanks! So sorry about your knee. Take care of that. You want to be able to climb those lovely mountains! Hope you have a good day off today. But, I'm with Barb, it will probably be a big work day for you.

Alida: Missing your newsy posts. But, lives change. I know. I hope that you are settling in to that new job and feeling more comfortable in the basement. Ha!

Bren: Spraypainting a wicker chair and getting a blister on your "spray" finger, huh? Girlfriend, you need some "away" time! Wish I were closer, I would come over and sweep you away. Thinking about it, if I didn't say anything before, I just love what you did with the window treatment in the living room. Wow, it just opens up that room so nicely.

Rachel: Have a great time out in the boonies. We are keeping your seat warm for you.

Well, Dh took the car today to work for one of the last days. Sunday was his last Sunday with the church, but he has a little work to do to finish up. So, I am gloriously free today. He was driving me crazy yesterday with his "list." This apt complex is demanding three months worth of bank statements from us. Well, I, of course, in a frenzy of housecleaning and getting ready to go, threw them away. Stupid, I know. Well, I found the last two, and took them to Kinkos to copy and FAX. When I got home, I couldn't find them! I panicked. Dh is asking me where they are and I am panicking big time! So much so, that I couldn't even drive. So, he went back to Kinkos and found them in their trash! This was after I called them in a panic and they assured me that they weren't there. It was terrible. I DO not lose things. I am organized. But, of course, I DO throw things away. Dang! So, today I have to call the bank and get copies of May's bank statement so I can copy it and FAX it to this stupid place. They want proof that we can afford their tiny little apartment. Sheesh! Dh has talked to the Manager and given her a piece of his mind more than once. Didn't help. :eyes:

Handyman is coming today to do some last minute things that we have found as we have cleaned up and gotten ready for the packers. One is a hole in the wall in dh's office. We just put a piece of furniture over it and forgot about it. :eyes: The other is a leaky pipe in the downstairs bathroom.

And, I have dgd's measurements now for her Halloween costume. All I need is the fabric. She is a real piece of work, that little one. As we walked to dinner the other night, she put her arm around my waist (she's 6) and asked, "So, Nana, how are you coming on my costume?" I told her I needed her measurements before I could start, and she reminded me EXACTLY how she wanted it. Sheesh. I'm a little nervous to put a lot of effort into this little Halloween costume and then have her disappointed because it isn't exactly what she envisioned.

Well, to housework for me. See ya' later.

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

Hi hunnie bunnies!
I just got back from a mall run. DH decided he needed to go to Sears and check out a tool of some sort, so he dropped me off at Dillards. I scored at the Clinique counter and also picked up a new OU visor and a ball cap for vacation. In the mountains, I usually go very casual...just moisturizer with a good sunscreen, lipbalm w/ sunscreen, hair in a ponytail and a ball cap;....ready....set...hike! LOL.

Sounds like everyone is super busy right now.

Peg...getting ready for the big move. Hope you get good news soon with a super offer.

Judy...getting all settled in with the *little darlings* for a new school year.

Barb...on a new writing assignment. Then you'll be getting ready for the big trip in Oct!

Donna...busy for the next several weekends. You make me tired just reading about all that coming and going!

Bren... still in the decorating mode? How are those stairs coming along?

Alida...what are you up to? Did you ever find the right picture to take the place of the *cat in the chair* ? We want to see your hard work when it's ready to take a test drive, OK?

Teel...what's up in your little corner of the world? Is your back getting any better?
I spotted a different bird on my walk the other morning...a Mississippi kite!

http://www.samford.edu/schools/artsc...s/pages/48.htm

they do make it here to central Oklahoma much to my surprise.

Rach...hola! hope you are well!

I didn't really do much of anything today besides going to the gym and my little mini shopping trip. I did bake a sf/ff cobbler with some of those Colorado cherries I put in the freezer last month. Guess we'll see what it tastes like later...sure did smell heavenly while it was baking

OK...guess I will fold that load of clothes in the dryer and think about getting dinner started in another hour or so.

later, 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!

Ok, I had good intentions of sitting (by the pool, not the fire) for a long visit tonight. Then I got involved in a lengthy email conversation with the mom of one of my students. The very sweet and hard working student is dyslexic and disgraphic. We were discussing what can be done to help her get through the couse. Reading and math problems do cause issues in economics. So......... like they say, "The road to He!! is paved with good intentions." I guess I'm on my way.

Hey, I think it did stay below 100 today and we even got a light rain. Everyone was as amazed at the clouds and rain as we get in those rare winters when we get snow.

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

Rain. Sounds heavenly, Judy. Hope the trend continues. Your personal attention to that parent (and her child) will earn stars in your crown. I never heard the term "disgraphic" before. Something to do with transposing numbers? I wonder--are people who are dyslexic not always disgraphic? Of course, I transpose numbers all the time, but it mostly has to do with being dys-stupid. Or, as my teachers always used to write on my reports, "careless."

Shelley, I still have mineral make-up on my "want" list. One of these days, I'll get to Sephora or Ulta to try them out. My sis put me onto a little jar of bronzing beads from Body Shop that add a healthy-looking glow. I bought those in the airport in Denver. Body Shop was glad for the business, because they weren't selling any lotions or liquids that day! Sounds like you had a pleasantly busy "non-work" day.

Bren, how's that spray-painting injury coming along? Button blister could qualify for worker's comp if you weren't self-employed.

I gave blood at the office yesterday--literally. The Community Blood Center sets up shop in a big conference room about every eight weeks. They love that O neg. I think I topped out 15 gallons. That's about thirty years of donations. These days, they encourage people to donate platelets, but I haven't done well on that "recycle" machine--something about low blood volume or low blood pressure--so I stick to whole blood donations. Doesn't this transfusing of blood seem primitive for these days and times? I'm quite interested in the new artificial blood products being used in emergency situations. Seems like so much less risk for making mistakes and transmitting diseases. I never want to have to receive a tranfusion, for a lot of reasons.

Peg, good luck as you get on with the relocation project. The apartment appears to be in a lovely setting. However, looking at the two-br floorplan that was shown, I get cramped feelings, too. Hmmm. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to downsize that far--certainly not while living with the guy I'm married to now. The man has an endless appetite for "stuff." Right now, it's model airplanes. Big ones. He used to make them, but now he's buying them already made--beautiful models. He's working on a plan to hang them from the ceiling.

I'm up way early to get some breakfast (and coffee) into my system before cycle class. Don't know if I've got enough red blood cells to rev it up this morning, although I did all right at Body Blast last night--with much lighter weights. You're really not supposed to do anything "strenuous" for a day or so. Is that a good excuse, or what?

How did it get to be Wednesday already?? Have a good, chickadees.

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


My Fitday Journal