Peg! Missed you! Glad you are safe in CA in spite of the nasty flight. Believe me, even little people are uncomfortable in those planes, so I can't imagine how "regular" people feel!

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

Afternoon already??? I got right back in the saddle this morning--literally--by showing up for my spinning (cycle) class at 5:45. I stepped on the scales first to get the bad news. Yep. Six pounds of vacation. (It was totally worth it!) Now I'm back to real life, including induction. Today the roofers at the office are vacuuming rocks OVER MY HEAD, and it sounds like the hailstorm from hell. I'm taking a "research day" tomorrow and getting the heck out of Dodge.

Meanwhile, life goes on for everyone here.
Shelley, the rendezvous with Eddie was obviously delightful--how could it not be, considering YOU?! Hope all your creaks and aches will eventually be resolved. I think you have the good sense to know when to back off.

Alida, the cabinet doors are beautiful. No wonder your client is delighted. I hope you'll find creative ways to engage your considerable talent in a way that's both fun and profitable for you.

Peg, welcome home! In spite of everything being up in the air right now, I'm sure the anchor of familiar turf and special family will suck you right in.

Brenda, I'll take one of those nature days, please! Sounds like you got a nice break from home projects--but home projects seem to be going well, too.

Donna, so sorry about your FIL. Keep us posted.

Judy, with any luck Lexie will strike oil.

Teel, hope the yoga will get your back lined up right again.

Now...I'm going to fire up my other computer and download the pix from the BBQ. With any luck, I'll have one or two good ones to post here a little later on.

Really...there's no place like home.

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


My Fitday Journal

Shelley: If Eddie is anything in real life like he is in his postings, you must have had one heck of an evening. I was crying trying to describe it all to dh at lunch today. His post was the greatest. Just the thing I needed to start off my day on a good note.

Brenda: I love the idea of the runner on the stairs .... as long as it's tacked down really well. Don't need any spills.

Judy: Lexie is adorable...muddy or not. She must have been so busy to dig a 17 inch hole. I'm lucky that my dogs aren't diggers...but then they'd have to have some energy to do that. Only time I've seen them run, is when it's dinner time. lol

Barb: Glad to have you back, even though you have to listen to the "rolling stones" overhead. Can't wait to see the pictures. 6 pounds? Heck, you'll get rid of that in no time, girl.

Peg: Glad you got to your destination in sound mind and body. I knew you'd make it through security okay...I mean, who's going to pick on a preacher? Have a great time, it's so much fun to hit old favorite stores.

Alida: I love those doors. Would you like to come and do my kitchen cabinets like that? I only have 32 of them. lol I can just guess where you want me to stick that idea.

Terry: So sorry about the back. I'm hoping the yoga will help to ease the pain.

Well girls, I made it to 2 1/4 miles walking last night. I'm going to stick to that for awhile until I'm used to it. I leave my house and walk 2 blocks down and across a long bridge over the river then wind around a few more blocks up and down hills. Then back over the bridge and make a circle around town. It's really enjoyable for me. On the other side of the bridge is the perch for the Ospreys and the babies kick up such a fuss...guess it's feeding time. As I'm walking, I peek in everyone's yards to get ideas for my gardening. But, by the time I got home last night my knees were getting weak so I knew I'd had enough. I don't know what I'm going to do when it starts to get dark early. As it is, the sun goes behind the mountain at 7:05 p.m. now and my walk takes almost an hour. Getting on the treadmill in the basement just doesn't seem very inviting. I heard dh make a comment to his dad on the phone that I had just come back from walk and he didn't know why I bothered cause he didn't think it would make any difference in me. hmph....he said I'd never wear shorts too and look at me now.

Baseball practise tonight and then a trip to WalMart. Pretty bad when that gets me excited. Small towns are nice, but I find that after a month or so I'm craving more contact with people and start to feel like I'm going to go stir crazy if I don't get out. Winter can be really bad for me. So, I'll take the hour or so I get tonight and enjoy it. My list is about an arm long so I'll have to hustle in the store. These chubby legs can move when they want to.

Back to work....only 1 1/2 hours to go. Some days just seem to drag and drag.....

__________________
Donna
238.5/168.2/150
I will see my goal weight again!

Hi guys,
We had a crazy day at work and I've been awake since 0240 this morning....aacckkk! It was one of those *I can't turn my brain off* nights. So finally at 0345 I said to heJJ with it and got up! So, I'm slightly cranky...LOL...well, with the heat and all, yanno?

Alida...those cabinets are fantastic!!! OMG!!!! Simply beeeautiful!!! Ummm....you know where I live....and on your way to do Donna's, you could just swing by here....
unhuh....I know....stuff it Shelley!! LOL!!!

Bren....what ambition you have, m'dear on doing those stairs! And your nature day sounded devine! That's right up my alley!

Donna...wOOt!!! WTG on walking those pounds away! You'll show your DH...I know you will! Just keep on keepin' on. In the winter, you'll find a way; your treadmill may have new appeal to you in the winter months. Get your headset on and crank up the tunes, and do your *thang*!

Peg...so glad you are able to *inhale and exhale*...LOL. Hope you find what you're looking for, and above all...have fun! Yanno....girls just want to have fun....<insert Cyndi Lauper song here>

Teel...girlfriend...so sorry you are still having back problems. Many commiserations from me on that, for sure. Take care of you, ok?...and get better sooner than soon!

Judy...guess Lexie's nickname will be *diggity dog*. Goodness! Those were some big holes she dug. A person could certainly twist an ankle or worse if they fell into one of the *Lexie excavations*...LOL. Good luck on distracting her so she will perhaps not do that anymore....well, we can hope, eh?

Barb...Welcome home!!! Sounds like you had a terrific time, but glad to be home. I always breathe a sigh of relief when we get home to our own bed and surroundings after vacation. Well....except when we are in the mountains...then I don't want to come home...I just want to make my home in the mountains. Maybe someday...

Well....I have another early morning(0400 wake up), so I hope to heck I sleep better tonight. My orthopod appt is tomorrow afternoon, so everyone keep your fingers crossed this isn't something major. Hopefully, just a little inflamation and it'll go away as quickly as it appeared.

Off to a hot shower and jammies; hopefully I can stay awake a little while longer...I'm convinced if I go to bed at 8PM, I'd be awake again at 0300....but heck...who knows?
The science of sleep....go figure.

later, chickadees!
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!

Good morning!

Donna, I am so sorry. In my haste to respond yesterday, I missed your post about your FIL. Fingers crossed the bone scan will show all is OK. I know you will keep us posted ....

Walking has turned into your "thing," hasn't it? Good for you! Yes, winter will be a trial. By then, as Shelley says, your treadmill may start to look pretty good!

When do you leave for your camping weekend? Tomorrow? Have FUN!

Peg, sorry about the lousy flight. It must be difficult for someone who is tall. But it was a SAFE flight and that's what's important!

Brenda, LOL. Semi-sow's ear! So I envision a lot of wood putty, sanding and staining, right? I have seen a lot of stairs carpeted runner-style where the wood is painted, not stained. Or stained a very dark walnut color, which may hide the difference in the wood.

Shelley, good luck with your ortho appt. today. I hope it is just a little inflammation, quickly healed with some big meds. I also hope you got to sleep last night! It's tough. By the time you realize you can't get back to sleep, it's too late to take a sleeping pill.

Barb, six pounds, eh? Well those little buggers will be gone in a flash! I've got to get one of those singing cards for son Mark's 50th birthday this weekend. They are sure doing a big-time ad campaign for them!

Terry, nuts on your back pain. Is it a muscle strain? When I have those, I just take lots of Ibuprofen and use those hot-ice patch thingys. Seems to help. Or is your pain connected to your FM?

Judy, how's our champion digger doing? And school ... getting settled in? Any more news on your Daddy?

----------------
(blush) on your compliments! The doors did turn out beautiful! I did keep all my tools and there's really nothing to keep me from doing this myself except my fused wrist. In the back of my mind there are two panels I would like to do for my own house. Yanno those half-room dividers that were popular in the 80s? A short half wall topped by spindles that go up to the ceiling? Rip those danged spindles out and create a leaded divider which can hang from the ceiling with two short chains. Or perhaps tracks which will hold the glass in place. This really is a project any one of you can do. You can buy the films and the lead and I can walk you through it. I can do the template for you!

Got to run. XXOO

__________________
Alida
5'1" ~ 59 years old
Highest weight: 165
Atkins 7/10/2004
160/126/125
RE-DO, January 2008:
167/162/135

Good morning everyone. I'm back on schedule--up early for a session with Leslie Sansone (Walk/Kick today) and a protein brekkie (eggs and bacon). I'll go to the office first, but then adjourn to "the world." I volunteered to do a little tour of our church sanctuary for a group this morning, and then I'll be exploring the latest hot shopping district here in KC, which evidently includes a whopping good Hallmark store. (Alida, I'm talking about Legacy, out near the NASCAR track. I've never been to Cabela's, Nebraska Furniture, or any of that stuff. About time.)

The contractor who did our driveway is doing a repair on the wall of our house--the wall that encloses half of the former garage, now made into a den. That will be a considerable improvement.

Shel, hope you are feeling more rested this morning. In spite of your disclaimers, it's hard for me to picture you in a cranky mood.

Time to go clean up. Hug a loved one--four-legged kind included--today.

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


My Fitday Journal

Morning Gang, there's a big guy in the back yard as we speak, digging a hole. Bless his heart, he looks like he just came over from Saturday Night Smackdown, but is as nice as can be. He took one look at the garden and said he wouldn't bring in a trencher but would dig down to the electric cable connection by hand. Due to the nature of subcontracting these days, all his company does is dig holes. Another contractor makes the new electrical connection, and still another removes the old pole. Isn't that funny? I hope the next crews are as nice.

I feel so pleased with myself I'm the world's worst gift selector, especially for DH, who prefers hardware or software I couldn't possibly surprise him with. However, I've scored a coup this time. His birthday is next week, and there is a new video iPod on its way as we speak. Ordinarily that would be more than we spend for birthdays, but I discovered Apple sells reconditioned ones with good warranties at a very reasonable price. I did tell him it was coming--otherwise he'd have given himself his own birthday present (!) and he's VERY happy. Me too, since I'll get his older one as a hand-me-down, heh, heh. Ulterior motive? Nah!

(Confession, I originally typed "coupe" in the paragraph above. However, by no means could I give DH a 2-door care.....LOL)

Shell, did you get more sleep last night? Like Barb, I can't imagine you being grouchy. I suspect you keep any crankiness to yourself--although I'm not sure if that's a good thing, either. Hey, let us know how the ortho appt goes, ok?

Alida, I'm glad you still have your tools--the project you describe with your room divider sounds sounds fantastic. I can just imagine how the light would play through it. Lovely idea! I've often thought a stained glass piece or something similar would be quite handsome on the eyebrow of my "big" window, too. I even searched for etch-like installers in the area, but couldn't find any info. Something to think about as a finishing touch after the current projects!

Yup, painting the risers is my backup plan. You know me too well, Alida!

Barb, have a delightful outing today. Sounds like you're getting quite a bit done on the exterior of your home--those things can make a surprising impact on how you feel about living there, I've found.

Donna, don't you pay any attention to your DH! What a stinker they can be, even though half the time they don't mean to be. You do your walking, girl. It's already paying off! I'm hoping to use my "new" iPod (heh, heh) with audio books this winter when I dust off my treadmill or join the "good" healthclub again. I get SO bored with machines otherwise......

Peg, TB, Judy, Rach--thinking of you!!!
________________________
Well, best get on with the day--need to peek out and check on my new "hole" too. Although last time I peeked I got mostly the butt-crack view :o

Later kids!

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

Good morning! I'm in a much better mood now that I got to go and tromp through WalMart last night. Sure do miss my shopping and interaction with other people. I love to watch people too!! Anyway, I am now the proud owner of a new iron. Whooppee! Well, I needed it. I've been using my mom's and since she passed away in 1967, this thing is in pretty sad shape. I've bought others, but just didn't like them so I always gave them away. Looking at the price of irons now, I don't think I'll be giving this one away. Did you know they sell all the way up to $90...wow, I don't like ironing that much!!

Brenda: Pretty smart thinking girl, on that present. Now you score too!! I've never tried and iPod, and it's probably better that I don't. Then I'd want one too.

That's nice that the contractor isn't going to disturb your plants. I've seen too many non-gardeners that just don't care and think we're nuts cause we freak out at the thought of our gardens being disturbed.

Alida: The room divider sounds so nice! I'd love to be crafty like that, but I think I'll just stick with my scrapbooking. I spend enough money on my supplies as it is.

Barb: Back to work again. Wish I could leave work and be able to check out stores. (if there were any stores around here, lol)

I have a very busy night ahead of me. Dh will bring home the motorhome tonight so I'll have beds to make and clothes and groceries to put in. Then the lawn has to be cut and laundry done. That's after I make dinner of course. Then I have to make time for my walk, and walk the dogs. Make lunches, and then have my bath. Hmmmm, do you think I'll be able to do it all? I think the boss is going to town around 3 this afternoon so if that's the case, you can guess who'll be leaving work early. I'm also leaving at noon tomorrow so we can get on the road before the weekend traffic starts. I'm so looking forward to this weekend.

Just found out last night that friends of ours are celebrating their 26th anniversary soon. Their son is planning a garden party for them and of all weekends it will fall on the 26th....that's my weekend for my shopping trip with my grandaughter. Just figures. I haven't figured out just what I will do yet, but I know I'm not disappointing that little girl. Just might have to get dh to drive to town in the afteroon and meet us and then we'll take her with us to the party. She loves to play grown up so I know she'd love it. Just seems silly to have 2 cars in town. Have to think about it I guess.

Gotta go and earn my pay. Talk to you all later.

__________________
Donna
238.5/168.2/150
I will see my goal weight again!

Donna, hey! Glad you had an impressive shopping experience Enjoy your weekend!

And by the way, you have STILL not taken back these dang hot flashes.

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

Hi guys! On the fly...

per my journal entry:

had my orthopod appt today about my knee...aacckk! Well.....it's not good news and it's not bad news.
The working diagnosis is inflamation vs lateral meniscal tear. Treatment plan: I choose conservative of course...do you think a nurse wants to be cut upon?...LOL.
We will increase my NSAIDS and watch it for 3 weeks; I can continue to power walk, but the Dr doesn't want me to do extreme TM over 5%....I can live with that I suppose.
Then after 3 weeks if it is NOT better, then we will do an MRI to R/O or R/I a torn meniscus. Soooooooo........status quo and steady as she goes, I guess. He said my probability of my knee locking up while hiking was less than 50-50, so that's good I guess.

Still fighting with the eye thing...it got better, then got weird again yesterday....d*mn!!! Always something!

Off to shower and put my feet up and see if there's anything interesting on hgtv.

The boss penciled me off tomorrow....shocked me pink!!! I'll have a cuppa with youze goils in the morning!

Oh, Bren & Barb...I could probably out gritch crusty old Maxine any day I set my mind to it...LOL...but thanks for not holding my crankiness against me...

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!

This is just another in my habitual hit and runs. I have to type a quiz, but wanted to let you guys know that I am still alive and surviving. Before I?m off to ?Word? you have to hear about my idiot of the day.



I have more than a few straight running fools in my classes. I told one such idiot in 2nd period that he had to be quiet for 10 minutes. Absolutely no talking --- give someone else a chance. Every time he tried to open his mouth or gain attention I told him his time wasn't up. At one point I turned my back to write on the board and he shot me the finger with both hands. Fool didn't know that the assistant principal was standing in the door listening to the lecture. He now has OCS (on campus suspension) for 3 days. It made my day! We all got a big laugh at his expense. What makes it even more delicious is that being sent to OCS automatically cancels any possible exam exemptions. I absolutely loved it. It's great when the good guys win!

__________________
Judy
highest = 180, goal = 138-140
Every single time I put food in my mouth, it matters. No more fooling myself!

Oh, Judy--loved that teacher story! It IS great when the idiot show-offs get caught out. You can hit-and-run here anytime.

Donna, just reading your schedule makes me tired. Hope you got everything done that you really wanted to do. Ya gotta be burning lots and lots of calories, if that makes it all more worthwhile.

Shelley, baby yourself as much as you can.

The trip to LEGENDS (not Legacy) was impressive, but you probably can't pay me to go there again. It's a huge new shopping area adjacent to the NASCAR track, and even on a non-busy afternoon like this, it was confusing and overwhelming. Nebraska Furniture Mart is incredible. Cabela's--well, how many stuffed dead animals do you want to see in one place? I did score a cotton twin-set at their parking lot tent sale for $8. And, oh yes, I did visit the Hallmark store--very nice. Mission accomplished.

To top it all off, I drove into CARMAX and sold my sedan. They made me a fair offer, and by the time the paperwork was all finished, I was thrilled that I'd spared myself the hassle of trying to advertise, show, and sell it on my own. Now we own only two cars--my cute Miata, and the Jaguar. I'm determined to ride the bus to work at least twice a week. Let's see how long that resolution lasts. My little bit for the prevention of global warming.

It's preseason football time--and actual season coming up. So I've lost my spouse (and access to the big tv) until further notice. I'm not a football fan, so I'll probably be catching up on my reading.

I think I'll go curl up with a good book right now. See you in the morning!

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


My Fitday Journal

Judy! Great Story! Boy would I have loved to see the look on that kid's face when he saw the assistant principal. <snort, snort> Sure glad you could stop by to share that one with us.

Shelley, hey girl, see you in the am. I'll also be crossing fingers that a little TLC and NSAIDS will get the knee back in hiking order. Think positive!

Barb, great news on selling your car! I like the no fuss, no hassle aspect--hate dealing with all that myself. A twin set at Cabela's---hmmmm, I'm thinking camoflage

Hoping Peg has found the perfect interim place, and that all is well with TB and Rachel today.

Hugs all around. See you all tomorrow..

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

Back already?? It must be morning. I never made it to the book. By the time I got my suitcase unpacked (finally) and everything put away, ten minutes of Law & Order was all I managed. z-z-z-z-z-z I don't feel all that perky this morning--an eyestrain headache. This too shall pass.

One other thing I did yesterday was stop by the AAA office and snag an international driver's license. They don't test you on driving on the left side. How trusting is that?

I never suspected that Cabela's would have pretty sportswear, but the twinset is actually a peach-colored pointelle knit. I didn't run across anything like that inside the actual store. Perhaps I should try wearing it with my Army surplus camo pants?

The scales dropped below 135 today, so that glycogen-inspired water bulk is definitely whooshing off. I'm sticking with my low-carb (and low-cal) routine until further notice.

It's Friday. Relax if you can, and enjoy the slide into the weekend.

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


My Fitday Journal

Barb, You are so right Legends is so confusing... I have not found anything there worth the hassle. You can wander around forever just trying to get out. My mom lives about 5 miles from there. The Neodesha Furniture Store is pretty awesome (especially if you live in po-dunk like I do). You can wander around forever.

Sounds like all of you are busy.... guess I should get busy too ?????? or not.