Hi guys,
Busy day for me at home...but glad to get it behind me. I did some mega cleaning today...ack...dusted every room, vacuumed, mopped, cleaned all the bathrooms completely, did a couple loads of laundry, and cooked dinner.
Wheeeeeww.....Saturday slugdom, here I come!

Barb...good one...LOL...I know the feeling to. Our hospital sells shirts with the logo on it...huh????they want me to PAY for advertisinng for them???
Yeah, well I did...LOL. I couldn't resist that denium shirt...sigh.

Alida...we finally got a little rain. Not early last evening like I thought we would...that little storm totally went around us. However, I was awaken about 0330 with some very loud thunder and lightening and rain!!! According to our backyard rain gauge, we got almost half an inch....hey....we'll take it!!!
Don't want to seem greedy, but we'd sure take some more LOL.

Bren...inhale....exhale....inhale....exhale. Everything will turn out good! If it's not what you envisioned, then that's what return policies are for. I bet it's going to look totally maahhvelous though. And you know what else????...It's your domain, and if you and Jerry like it, then that's all that matters, yanno?
(((hugs))) hoping that ole migraine will be short lived!

Judy...I will simply say, what you are going through right now is very HARD. It's harder than hard. Hang in there. It's good that your DDad realizes he needs the next level of care. My mom did not realize that which made it really rough on us both. (((hugs)))

Peg...you're welcome! (for putting you onto gravity tiles)....hehehe. Well, if I have to be addicted, I'm going to take a few hostages with me...LOL
Yes...keep us posted about when your sweetie will have surgery. Hernia repairs can slow you down, no doubt. Lifting will be OUT for him, that's for sure. I don't know that a car trip cross country would be delightful either in the immediate post op period. He would have surgery there in MA, right?
So, this may delay your move, do you think?

Donna....hope you had a good day at work and got to leave on time. You were probably very busy I bet with all that first of the month, stuff, eh?
Have a relaxing weekend if you can.

Teel and Rach...waving madly at ya'll!!! Youse guys are missed bunches!!!

Well, tomorrow is WI at WW, so I'm hoping their scales won't be hateful...snort! I wouldn't mind another little whoosh right about tomorrow morning <insert crossed fingers here>

alrighty gal pals...off to see what's on hgtv.

later, chickadees

S.

__________________
~~~~
Shelley
~~~~

Visit Kassie's Korner



Life deserves a treat now and again, but life also deserves being healthy[with required disipline] to make it worth living!

Shell, you deserve to have the slugdom Saturday of all time after all your work today. Whew! I'm SO glad you got some rain, too. Hope you get more.

Hey, hey! Good luck on the WI tomorrow!

Ok, I'm breathing, honest! Jerry's first reaction to one of the lamps? That it looked like something his grandmother would have had (If I'd have thought about it at the time, I'd have told him that his grandmother must have had good taste.) Actually I wasn't sure myself until I swapped the shades. LOL! I'm not up for the drape drama tonight, for sure. Really, this is all humorous, even if anxiety provoking, probably because I'm not all that sure of what I'm doing myself.

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

Saturday morning. Ahhhhhhh. Leisurely breakfast (OMM, natch) and coffee with my buds. Dontcha just love the internet sometimes?

Judy, wherever you are, we're there, too.

Bren, do you actually get anxiety attacks over decorating decisions?? I only feel that way when I'm comparing brands of say, vitamins, in the Wal-Mart to determine which will save me six or seven cents. The more money involved, the less inhibition I feel. That's why I have to stay out of car showrooms. As for the squirrel? Actually, I think mine is a hamster, because it's nocturnal. Middle of the night--that wheel starts spinning, and darned if every issue past, present, and future doesn't get kicked up.

Peg, that "staging" thing has to be a tough way to live from day to day. Do you think you'll both come out of it transformed into neatniks?

Alida, I hope you're just taking a breather--but I suspect you're running around like a squirrel. It's the weekend now. Time for a break.

Shelley, you can come on up to my house and clean, in case you didn't get enough. I might cave and do some laundry today. Or maybe I can just go to the Wal-Mart and buy new undies for both of us. Hey--good thought. The only "company logo" gear I have is two polo shirts I bought for four bucks at the "double D"--double discount, the employee closeout store--and the purple t-shirt I got for being a volunteer. Yesterday I wore a plum jacket, with my 25-year service pin on the lapel. It's a tiny gold Hallmark crown with diamonds in each of the points. They don't do that anymore, so it's quite a little treasure, and very pretty.

The Jag is back in the garage. The bodyshop people recommended by the Jag dealer wanted $1278 to knock out the dent in the front bumper. I think we'll pass on that. Wonder what Dr. Dent's estimate will be?

I've been doing pretty well this week on my calorie-reduction campaign. Here are my averages for the past seven days, from Fitday:
Cals 1464
Carbs 31 net
Fat 89 gm 57%
Prot 101 28%
Alc 12 6%

As of this morning, I'm at 132--which has been my baseline maintenance weight for months. Staying there seems to be my life's work.

As of this coming Wednesday evening, there's going to be an excursion, both geographically and dietarily. It's the BBQ--next Friday and Sat. Already I hear a margarita calling my name at the ODI (Old Dillon Inn, local dive). Also, my DS has a fabulous wine cellar out there. Her DH (the oenophile) says hands off the rare vintages, but everything else is open season for Les Girls.

You can tell who's into chatter this morning. Thanks for listening. Off to read the paper, hit the gym, and hustle around to the stores for this and that. Wish you could all be as carefree as that. Take care.

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


My Fitday Journal

My journal entry today:

Today has been a chain of events...> got up late > therefore couldn't walk before my WW meeting > had some errands to do after WW > got home and had some lunch > to hot to walk outside > had a little pitty party because I only lost one stinkin' pound this week > had a deep introspection session with me, myself, and I > went to the gym(yes, I still have a membership) > did 50 min extreme treadmill and 5 min stairmaster > STBO!!! > feel somewhat better for going to the gym :jump:

I'm just not to chatty today...this heat has me really cranky....LOL.
maybe back later...
(((hugs to all the gal pals)))
S.

__________________
~~~~
Shelley
~~~~

Visit Kassie's Korner



Life deserves a treat now and again, but life also deserves being healthy[with required disipline] to make it worth living!

Morning ladies.....that's how I started, and now it's 5 pm! Whee!

I used to have the nocturnal hamster up there, too.
Fortunately, he's escaped the cage.

Barb, hope you will have a picture to share with us of you "girls." It makes me smile to think of the closeness you share with your sisters.

I'll bet Mr Dent may be able to give you a better price on fixing the jag, if it's not too bad. Poor Jag! I didn't remember that it had a booboo.

Shelley! A pound is good, girl!!! You listen to Aunt Brenda--don't let that scale determine how you feel about yourself! That's stinkin' thinkin' and one of the reasons we got in trouble with food in the first place! You do the program--the scale will take care of itself. ((((HUGS)))

Peg, are you churning a sermon today? How was dinner with the Assoc Pastor--he sounds like someone I'd really enjoy knowing, too.

Judy, sending hugs to you; I know you are busy with your DDad.

Alida, Donna, TB :waves: to you!!
___________________
This morning a trip to the vet for an abcess on Khaki's back. It was a medium sized cyst that exploded into a great big nasty thing almost overnight. Poor DH, who has both a weak tummy and much empathy for his furgirls, can't even look at it.

OK Gang, I guess I've sounded pitiful re: the decorating drama, LOL. Sorry! Please don't anyone take me too seriously. I don't get real anxiety attacks. What happens is once in a while I get obsessive about "something." You know, when the squirrel gets on that one track and can't get off. It can be anything--if it's a new subject of interest, I may have to read every book I can find, if it's a new hobby, I may have to know everything about it (and have all the equipment), take all the classes. That kind of thing. The intensity inevitably fades (or burns out, LOL). But add to that an inherited dash of guilt about doing things for myself alone, or spending too much on myself, my insecurites in certain areas. Voila!

Most of you have more serious things going on in your lives--so do I, actually. The guys here could not be any less interested, so it's nice to have you all to dish with. I hope I'm not boring you all to tears.

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

Sunday morning.

Bren, don't worry. We know how to separate the BIG STUFF from the little stuff. But we also know that ALL of it makes a difference in the warp and woof of life. So chat on! Sorry about your baby. Hope that abscess will heal quickly.

My double-first-cousin was in town yesterday to look after her parents. Her mom and my mom are sisters who married brothers. Her dad is deep into Alzheimer's, and her mom is having difficulty making decisions--eg. she still lets him drive the car, she won't seek out respite caregivers. My cousin's brother lives in town, but is hopelessly wimpy about enforcing important changes. Needless to say, my cousin is very worried and feeling the burden of not being near enough to provide meaningful help. She's an occupational therapist, and knows a lot of resources. My sister and I are going to assist as we can--but have no authority in this situation.

While visiting with her yesterday, I learned a lot of other family news, much of it not very good. Lives unravelling all over the place, with various health and relationship issues. At least my cousin is feeling good: she just sent her twin girls off to college, and is looking forward to child-free days at last.

Judy, as you wrestle through similar difficulties, I'm all empathy. Hope you get off to a great fresh start at school tomorrow.

Shelley, I consider exercise time/gym time absolute ME time. It's a legit way to let the world and all worries take a backseat. As I always say, enjoyment is the key to commitment and success. So poke around until you find the activity that puts you in a happy zone, even while you sweat.

I'm going to attend my dad's church today, take him to lunch, and then go out to visit the previously-mentioned relatives. Maybe we can put in a good word for getting rid of the car. My cousin's father has referred to her as "that woman"--so as an only daughter, she's feeling a great loss. But he usually recognizes his brother.

Back later. Good thoughts to all.

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


My Fitday Journal

Good Morning!

Miss a few days and reading back posts takes forever! I was going to post yesterday (Saturday) but I went right to my web pages and knocked out a few more. I cannot work on this "at work." The computer is strange and I always seem to be missing a file or two.

Peg, Oh no! Those people were nothing but one big hassle. Good riddance to them! It must be a real PITA keeping your place in show mode again. BUT there is a good buyer out there, one that will be perfect for you.

Bob has a hernia? Was this just diagnosed? Has he had it for long? And he cannot LIFT anything after surgery (per Shelley)? Big sigh. I have never known anyone with a hernia so I have no concept of what it's like. I hope he is not in much pain.

Judy, it must be very hard for you to be looking at nursing homes for your Daddy. I know you have help, but it's a difficult time. And school starts next week (ACK, that's tomorrow, right?) Or do I have CRS?

Brenda, I've had that squirrel in my brain too. For years I had a decorator. He moved to Florida and I can't afford him now anyway. But if he were still here, I know I'd hire him for an hour or two here and there. Draperies were agony. And that squirrel even ran around once in Jones Store when I considered (gasp!) colored sheets. I always had ivory. Switching to color was a BIG decision. So I know of what you speak ....

Poor Khaki! Does she have a big open wound on her back now? At least Buddy's wound is on the side of his neck, where you can't see it too much. Does you vet know what caused the abscess?

Shelley, one pound is GOOD. Don't get down on yourself! And I know what you mean about the heat. I think it is dragging ALL of us down. ((Break to start some hoses outside)) I am trying to keep my plants alive. The grass is a goner already. Sheesh. Why doesn't someone design a GOOD sprinkler? I am drenched.

Barb, I had to laugh at your description of the corporate guy getting the idea of "company colors" day. Crown tattoo on your a$$? LOL!

Sigh on the Jag dent. When did that happen? Is it that noticeable? And was it yesterday that you could drive on your driveway? I'll bet you're glad that hassle is over.

Ah, Colorado here you come! I hope they are having better weather than we are! Have to laugh when they say "cold front" coming in with temps in the 90's. I guess everything's relative.

Your stats look ideal and perfect! (Just like you)!

Donna, it just breaks my heart to hear your daughter may have lost her cat to a coyote. That's so sad. And taking a kitten away from it's mother at 4 weeks! That's sad, too. Obviously, the people who had the mother cat are not real animal lovers. But your daughter will have a little bundle to take care of now, and that is good! As my vet says, "Nothing GOOD is outside for a pet."

Terry, are you home yet? Anxiously awaiting pictures!

And Rachel, I do hope you will not forget us! We miss you!

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

Thanks everyone for your wonderful good thoughts and prayers. We found a location that I think is about as good as we can get for a semi-reasonable cost. The overall facility is quite large having retirement living, assisted living and skilled nursing all on the same property. The skilled nursing area has only about 42 patients. He will be one of 19 that are there for long term care. The others are medi-care rehab patients. It is a locally owned corporation in the Dallas area with the owners being on site at least one or two days a week. Daddy's room is semi-private but is sort of a suite setup. He will have room for his chair and big TV --- very important considerations for him. It has a nice window and is bright and clean -- very important considerations to me. Moving day will probably be Wednesday. Although we came home yesterday afternoon, DH will be going back to help with all the moving issues on Tuesday. After church this morning I'll be back at school trying to finish things left undone from last week. Yes, I go to work tomorrow and we have kids coming on Thursday. Until later..........................

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

Hi guys,
Not much going on here today except the heat...ugh...104 right now...ack! Have I ever mentioned how I HATE the heat???...LOL...only a ka-zillion times, I'm sure.

Judy...glad you feel better about your DDad's new living arrangements. Sounds like he will get excellent care there; that's got to be a load off your shoulders for sure.

Bren...LOL...you didn't sound pitiful about the decorating drama...LOL. Just obscessive compulsive....LOL....just kidding! I'm the obscessive compulsive gal pal in the group....trust me. I think your reply to Jerry would have been hilarious...of course, not knowing your hubby...he might not of thought it funny, eh? I'm still bettin' you'll find your zen and all will be beautiful!

Barb...on count down to mountain time!!! Well...if you would be so kind as to send me some fresh mountain air via airmail, I'll be ever so grateful!
I actually sent an empty envelope to my brother one time from CO. I labeled the outside "open slowly; fresh mountain air enclosed!". He thought it was a riot. Anyhooo....have fun. Will you be taking your laptop so you can check in with us on occasion?

Peg...dear one...how are you doing? I hope you are able to grab some *me time* to help reduce your stess of moving and all. Are you still getting those massages? A massage followed with a very nice glass of white wine actually sounds pretty darn good to me at the moment!

Alida...good to see a nice long post from you today, m'dear. Kudos to you for still sprinkling the lawn. Our's looks like hay ready to be baled...meaning it's looking pretty burned and pitiful. At this point, we are trying to save our trees, and hope next summer will be better as far as rainfall and heat.
Sounds like you are humming along on the website to. WTG!!!

Donna...what did you find yourself doing this weekend...gardening or a shopping trip perhaps? I couldn't bring myself to go shopping yesterday with all the school kids, parents and other crazies at the mall the weekend before school starts...aacckk! Actually, I'm holding out until I drop 10 pounds, then perhaps get a new pair of jeans for vacation. We'll see. Anyhoo...hope you had a most enjoyable weekend

Rach and Teel...hola! Hope you guys are well. You are missed!

Well, like I said earlier...just not much going on, just coolin' it the best we can...LOL. I took an exercise day off today, as the back of my legs were a little sore from doing the extreme TM yesterday. Hope to hit the gym tomorrow after work.
OH...I almost forgot...Eddie150 will be visiting OKC with his job and we are going to try and do dinner one evening. Should be lots of fun! Yes....we'll take pictures

I did a new recipe for dinner tonight and it was just pretty tasty if I do say so myself. A one pan meal...can't beat that. Place boneless, skinless chickin breasts(4) in a glass baking dish sprayed with pam. Then layer these veggies on top of the chicken in this order...onion slices, red pepper slices, a small red potatoe for each breast(LC omit the tater), and last on top, 2 cans of whole green beans, drained well. Drizzle on about 1/2 cup of Kraft Light done Right Italian dressing, cover with foil and bake at 375 for about 1hr 10 min or until veggies are tender and juices run clear from chicken. I made a garden salad to go with, and DH and I both were stuffed.(So I'm not having much luck trying to finish my last bottle of water)...LOL.

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!

Ha! I'm the first one to post today. I've been awake all night, and so I got up at 4:30. I've procrastinated to the point that I really needed to worry a lot last night. So, when I got up, I began doing some of the stuff that I needed to get done both today and tomorrow. I have my exit interview tonight, and the Moderator wants to have dinner with me. Then tomorrow I teach a workshop all day. I haven't even started on any of that stuff. Aaack!

I'm going to limit my posts for a few days, you guys. You know that I love you, but I can't even think to answer each of you personally. Prayers and love and thoughts to you. I'm reading.........following along..............but trying to finish up this church this week and leave for SoCa next Monday for a week.

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

Good morning!

My gosh, Barb, Peg BEAT US TO IT this morning!

Peg, take it from someone who knows. It's hard to respond to everyone here when you have a lot going on in life. Take a deep breath. Good luck with the exit interview. BTW, what the heck is that? Is it sorta a report on how you did? The kind of thing that goes in your resume?

Barb, it was sad reading the news about your uncle. Alzheimer's is devastating. I'm with you on hearing "bad" family news. I just learned my cousin in PA has lung and larynx cancer. Caught early though, so prognosis is good. He is going through chemo now.

Shelley, your chicken dish sounds wonderful! I have printed the recipe. I take it Eddie150 is a LCE member? I have been so lax visiting the other threads. Have fun!

Judy, what a relief to have found a GOOD nursing home. It sounds like a perfect set-up for your Daddy. And I still can't get my mind around kids going back to school in August. It's still summer, for crying out loud!

Brenda, Terry, Donna & Rachel: HI!!

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

Monday bright and early--trailing Peg, who really didn't want to be awake at this hour of the morning anyway.:( Real life is getting in the way of cyber life for several of us these days. It's still good to know that somebody will be holding our places when we get back. That applies especially to you, Rachel.

Alida, will we be able to visit that website when you're done? Edit: simo-posting this morning, I see. Have a good one.

Judy, good luck today. And especially on Thursday, when the students show up. Most of them are probably not in such a good mood about coming back to school. On the other hand, school is a center of social life, sports, and a few other fun things. Education? For some, we hope! Sounds like you found a good place for your dad.

I went to church with my dad yesterday. Afterwards, we drove to a brand-new restaurant nearby. We got seated, with water and everything, and my dad asked the waiter if they had tartar sauce (he was planning to order shrimp.) When the waiter said no, dad said, "We're leaving." And off we went--me making a face and apologizing to the hapless waiter. Sometimes my dad just takes pleasure in being a cranky OF. We ended up eating in the dining room at his residence. At times like this, I see the future before my eyes, and it isn't fun. Live for the moment, ladies!

Shelley, I'll breathe some mountain air on your behalf. My sister the techie has computers upstairs and down, so I won't be out of touch while I'm away. You'll get big laughs from BBQ central.

Donna, Brenda, Teel, thinking of you.

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


My Fitday Journal

No, Alida, actually, in this exit interview I get to tell them what THEY have done right and what THEY have done wrong (or in my case, I tell them ways they might think of improving). Because I am an outsider, trained in observation, they have asked me to comment on what I have experienced there. It should be fairly painless.

And, about the hernia. Ask your husband. It seems to me that most men have either had one or know other men who have. I, frankly, don't really understand it. This is dh's fourth!

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!

I got back late Saturday night, and I just want to say, I missed you all while I was away from a computer! I thought of you often. Victoria would be a great place for a convergence, IMO.

We had a wonderful tim, but I broke a tooth while I was there. I'd called DH and asked him to make an appointment for me on my return, but he forgot. So, I called this morning and learned my dentist is on vacation for the next two weeks. Boohoo bummer. But, I'll be seeing his partner shortly - and I'm grateful for that.

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

Good morning ladies. It's a holiday here (BC day) so I've been really busy this weekend. Spent Friday night and yesterday working in the front yard and only have half of it done. I started out pruning two shrubs right at the foot of the stairs and they turned out so ugly that I ended up ripping them totally out. I'm glad I did cause I love the way it's opened up the whole staircase. I've wanted them gone for a few years but didn't know what it would look like. Now I know. lol

Shelley: Yup....the heat is getting to all of us. I'm cranky a lot of days too. But, as my darling boss says....it's only a little over 4 months to Christmas! Ya know...one of these days he's going to be found hanging from the rafters in the warehouse!!

Barb: I had to laugh at you having to leave the restaurant with your dad. I had an aunt that was the same way. She said and did whatever she wanted and it was embarrassing sometimes but at the same time I wished I could be more like her instead of holding things in.

Peg: My dh has had hernia surgery too. His was so big I was afraid it might rupture but it didn't. If this is your dh's 4th, I'm sure you know the rules after the surgery.

Alida: That web page sure is taking a lot of your time. I've never tried it, but I bet it's interesting.

Shelley: A 1 lb. loss? Good for you. I'm still going up and down like crazy, but the down parts are fun.

Judy: Back to work today? That's gotta be rough after having the summer off. Our school kids here don't go back until the day after Labour Day. It's a little cooler then, even though the schools are air conditioned.

Brenda: I'm sure your hot flushes are gone now....cause mine have come back...big time. I was feeling pretty smug about them being gone and now I'm being paid for it. That will teach me.

I'm waiting for this afternoon for the sun to go to the back of the house so I can get the rest of the garden done. It's looking so good now that I'm anxious to get out and get some more work done...but not anxious enough to get sunstroke.

I got caught up on some lc baking this morning....3 dozen peanut butter cookies, 4 mock danish and 1 dozen flax muffins. I was out of everything and feeling sorry for myself last night when I made myself a cup of tea and had to watch dh eating a big piece of ice cream cake. So, everything went straight into the freezer. Until tonight when I have my tea. lol

Hope you all have a good day.

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