Just got a phone call.....dd got full funding for the rehab. ***YIPPEE**** Now I can close my pursestrings. That would have been kind of hard to hide from dh.

It's blowing like crazy...a real north wind and trying to rain. Guess the walk for tonight is out of the question.

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

Donna,
What joyful news! :jumpgreen:

__________________
~~~~
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!

Donna, great news!

Peg, you asked what I do. I'm the Housing Manager for a small housing authority. We manage 180 units of public housing, from 8 efficiency apartments to 2 4-bedroom and 1 5-bedroom unit, and everything in between. About 2/3 of our residents are elderly or handicapped. We also administer 85 Section 8 vouchers, which are issued to very-low-income families, and they rent in the private sector, and we assist them with their rent. I used to manage the voucher program, but when my boss retired, the PHA manager moved up to that job, and I moved over to public housing, which I like a lot better. And I went from part time to full time. I've been with the housing authority for 22 years, counting 2 years as a temp.

I have 3 children, age 30-36, 2 step-grandchildren, 3 grandchildren, and 1 great grandbaby. And I'm 54, not old enough to be a great grandma, but my son married a woman 9 years his senior, and she already had 2 kids. And, I have to say, I absolutely love my daughter-in-law, and both my sons-in-law.

That's my life in a nutshell.

__________________
Nita

Wowzers, Nita!
Thanks for giving us the scoop on yourself Your job sounds like it definitely keeps you hopping, just like the grand kiddos probably do to, eh?

nighty nite all...0400 will sure come early...LOL!

(((hugs to all)))
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!

Night everyone! Just got done with elliptical and lower body weight training. Took a shower before bed and feel quite good. Had a super boring dinner of tofu, celery, bread, butter and cucumber. Made the family meatloaf with Italian bread crumbs. It took everything not to just give up my diet and eat it until I couldn't move anymore.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Donna - I made meatloaf today too. // I'm so happy for your dd!! :jump: This is so great!

Nita - I chuckled at your "Thank goodness for Oust" comment. // That is wonderful that you like to visit the shut -in's. I bet they are very appreciative and have great stories to share. //

Shelley - Yummmmm.....Mexican. // Have fun with those reward cards!

Peg - Day went really well and productive for me. Wanted to go to bed at 7pm but talked myself into riding the elliptical and doing some lower body weight training. I feel better for it and will hopefully sleep well tonight nightmare free. // Hope that your dd gets this resolved so that she can finally move on.

__________________

I have missed way to much of the converation today, darn it all. I'll try to catch up with the conversation tomorrow. If you don't see me, well, it's supposed to be 70 tomorrow. Can you imagine! I will be OUT IN IT.

However, I do want to give a big WAAHOO! to Donna. I am thrilled for your dd, and you as well

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

Tuesday morning, and time-change blues continue. For somebody who usually wakes up perky before the alarm, being blasted out of dreams by a buzzer is a real shock.

Nita, thanks for the bio. You are a busy gal (as we ALL seem to be!) So sorry about the close brush with another young person dying. Lung cancer is a swift and often unexpected blow. On the weather scene, I look forward to spring thunderstorms--the kind without tornadoes.

About the thyroid supplement--I hasten to say that what I take is a PRESCRIPTION drug--Armour thyroid--to treat a diagnosed hypothyroid condition. Other drugs in that class include Synthroid, levothyroxine (the generic) and others. I'm not sure that so-called "thyroid support" supplements are useful. If you suspect a thyroid problem, best to take it up with your doctor.

Heather, check out recipes for meatloaf made without breadcrumbs. No sense depriving yourself of such a delicious food, and your family won't know the difference.

Donna--GREAT NEWS about the funding for your dd. I don't know about her, but you've certainly earned a little support. Hope the warm weather continues for outside walks. I went for a run after work yesterday--new shoes make a big difference! I'm on about my fifth pair of Saucony Shadows--not fancy, but very good for my particular "feets." And yes, Heather--good running or walking shoes tend to be expensive. The Sauconys used to be $65--now they are $85. Since I rarely spend more than twenty bucks for a pair of shoes, this feels like robbery. But you can't skimp on shoes that cushion your whole body while you walk or run.

Peg, you need support, too, but of the techie persuasion. I don't think I would have had your tenacity about working things out for myself. Hope all goes well for your dd today. Be prepared for the unexpected, as always.

Speaking of knitting, I heard a new metaphor on tv last night. "She appears to be knitting with only one needle." NOT a reference to a knitter, of course. Not one here anyway.

I love spring, but it is a harder transition than summer to fall. In the fall, I feel upbeat and "new school" ambitious. In the spring, I feel sluggish, even though a nesting instinct kicks in to a certain extent, which is useful for getting a closet or two mucked out.

Have a great day today, m'dears.

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


My Fitday Journal

Peg, think of your dd today, too. Hope all goes smoothly. Some legal closure on a difficult situation.

Barb and everyone, g'morning. I'm looking forward to a record high day The girls will get their beauty treatments, and I'll do some shopping while I wait for them. Not a bad arrangement, eh?

Ha! Knitting with one needle? I did that last night as a matter of fact. I left my knitting project on the floor last night by the bed. Cats aren't the only critters who enjoy a little yarn play

Nita, thanks for the intro. You have a job with much responsibility which also requires empathy. Sounds like a great fit for you. And you certainly are too young to have a great grand baby, but what a joy, anyway, right?

I'll be back later...

Edit: Yup, the Beret

Attached Thumbnails

 

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

Changing my avatar again. I just love Tinkerbell - she is so sassy. // Today is babysitting, elliptical and upper body weight training. // Made ds cards with things to do that he checks off throughout the day. On the list is things like make bed, brush teeth, do homework, read 30 minutes and typical things for an 8 year old. At the end of the day he hands in the card to show that he finished. This morning went so smooth without me nagging the poor guy to brush his teeth, make his bed, get some clothes on... The incentive for him is on payday we'll buy him something special. He's really excited and is such a good boy that he deserves to have something to work towards.

--------

BC - 70 degrees...this will be the last we hear from you for awhile. Enjoy!!

Barb - I will check out w/o breadcrumb meatloaf recipes. When DH jumps back on his diet he said it will be Atkins and this will be a nice treat for him.

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Okay, today I'm really ticked off. I was soooo careful yesterday. Put everything into Fitday and came out with 29 carbs. Not bad. So why did I gain back the 1/2 lb. that I had lost? Makes no sense to me. I even braved the north wind and went for my walk. I've tried and tried to figure out what I'm doing wrong and this morning it hit me that I'm eating a lot less eggs than I used to. Maybe that was helping to fill me up? Dunno....I'll try it though.

This thing with my dd has made the whole family do some rethinking about our own mortality. I think I've told you guys that I have a brother that I hear from once a year...on my birthday. He calls, I tell him what a great guy he is for remembering and that's it. Since her "episode" he's called me almost every second week. And now, he called last night and wants to drive over to join us for her birthday dinner tomorrow night. That's a 3 hour drive! I'm very impressed!! He wants to surprise her and boy, is she going to be surprised. We always take the kids out for dinner on their birthday and he's just going to be sitting in the restaurant with his new wife (#3) and his new family. Can't wait to see the look on her face.

All the snow and moisture we got over the winter is sure taking it's toll. Did it hit the news where you guys are? The Fraser Canyon is closed due to mud slides....will probably be closed for a week. It's covered the roads and the railroads. I watched it on the news last night....what a mess! Some of the piles of mud and rock are over 6 feet deep. Same thing east of us towards Golden. Road will be closed there for a few days. Then just 25 miles to the north...they got snow yesterday. In fact, we got frost last night. I'm scared to go out and check my tender new plants that have just popped up. Talk about global warming....seems like global freezing to me.

Heather: You are such a good mom. Such patience with the kids. Good for you.
I don't put breadcrumbs in my meatloaf and it's just fine. The egg seems to hold everything together just fine.

Barb: Woohoo on the new shoes. I have a good pair of walking shoes too and what a difference. Although, I've got to admit....I love my Burkenstoks. They don't have any support at all and look ugly, but they sure feel good on my feet.

Brenda: What a mess with the wool! I learned long ago not to leave any wool laying around. One of my afghans in progress turned into a nice "nest" for one of my cats. After scratching around to make it comfy...there was a big hole in the middle. Now when I'm finished for the night, I always put my work up.

Peg: Get that stupid printer running yet? I'd be using a lot of four letter words by now. Talk about patience!

Shelley: How was the mexican? That's one thing that's hard to find in these parts is a mexican restaurant. Another good reason for us to visit the states. I've been thinking it's just about time for us to get the motorhome out of storage and head across the line....I'm out of lc yogurt, cheese, and amercian cheese slices. I hate paying $9.00 for a block of cheese when I now I can get it across the line for $4.99 for a bigger block. I usually buy about 8 at a time and freeze them. I swear it tastes better too.

Nita: You sure aren't old enough to be a great grandma. That's great! I have 3 grandkids...just wish I could see them more often.

Well...the fax is going nuts, the phone is ringing so I guess that means I have work to do. Darn! I really feel like going shopping....like that will happen today. Hmmm, maybe a parcel will come in the mail....that would brighten me up. More scrapbooking stuff...just what I need Talk to you all later.

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

Good morning, girls. Or at least what's left of it, it's almost noon!

My 9 o'clock appointment didn't show up until 9:25, which was ok, since my 9:20 didn't show up until 10:20. He didn't know what time it really was. Guess he forgot to turn his clocks ahead. And the first appt didn't have her paperwork filled out. And Mr. Forgetful had a grocery bag full of papers, but couldn't find what I needed. Sigh. I have another appointment at 11:40, but I'll just bet he doesn't show. He never comes on the first letter, I always have to send him a reminder.

BC - at least someone had some fun with your yarn!

Barb - I think that spring "springs" on us so fast, that we aren't prepared for the sudden change in weather. With fall, it usually comes so gradually that we are ready for it when it arrives. Perhaps our bodies are in shock, jumping from winter to spring. Although I think that sometimes my body needs a shock or two!

Heather, there are lots of ways to make meatloaf without bread crumbs. I absolutely love meatloaf. My favorite is cold meatloaf sandwich with ketchup. (My husband argues that it has to be mustard, but I disagree totally!)

We're looking to have some warm temps, and maybe some more thunderstorms today. Fruit trees are in full bloom. Gonna be a lovely day. Y'all enjoy yours!

__________________
Nita

Hi Gang!

I'm here and following along. I went to the Spanx website and was in the middle of ordering when I made some kind of new keystroke and killed the whole site! Well, maybe I didn't need them anyway! ha!

I know you all think that I am crazy for fooling with this computer and printer for so long. It IS a challenge for me. I love electronic stuff. It is also frustrating because I don't know enough to know what is wrong. But, I don't mind trying to find out by reading. Yesterday I learned that there is a Computer Geek (you know, the company?) that lives here in the complex. I was going to go down and put a note on his little geekmobile, but thought better of it. So, today I'm going to call and throw myself on their mercy. But, first, I am going to try again! I'm sure that by the time they get here I will have so screwed up my system that they won't be able to fix it. Luckily, I restore my system a lot. So, I can go back several months, if I need to.

Nita: You have my deepest admiration for working for the Housing Authority for that long. i have some knowledge of the government and how they work those programs. I am hereby awarding you a golden statue for putting up with the government to work with some of our most vulnerable citizens!

Also, how wonderful to have so many grandkiddos! Do they all live close enough for you to see them often? One of the reasons that we are in SoCal is to be closer to ours. All of our kids live out here on the West Coast somewhere. It's closer for us to live here than in MA (where we moved from in October after 25 years). They love coming to spend the night with us. Our 7yo dgd has it all planned, but doesn't know exactly when. Her Mom has to explain to her each morning that its not going to be THIS weekend. The 24th and 25th, my 13yo dgd is coming so we can sew some more. She has a project that she needs help with. I just love it!

Barb: New running shoes are great! That you are running is even greater. How do you do that with aging knees. Also, I got shin splints just walking too fast. Listen, don't give up on me. I actually may get out in the pool tomorrow. It's going to be in the 80's again. It's 85 right now.

Alida: Where are you, girlfriend! This is the second day without a post from you.

Bren: I think that I would be contemplating a dog hair suit if it were me and that yarn on the floor. But then, I'm not the animal lover that you are, except for my dear cats! But, the colors are just beautiful!

Shel: I hope they don't wear you out today. How is the heel when you have to work on it? Ice and stretching, girlfriend. Ice and stretching!

Donna: I totally know what you mean about frost and tender plants. I was always a little afraid to uncover mine too early for the same reason. Good for your dd!!! And, interesting about your brother. I am glad that you are getting a chance to be with him more often. Never know when one of you will "go."

Judy and Rach and Terry, if you are following along, we miss you. We love you and we totally understand busy lives.

See ya'll later,
Peg

Donna, I didn't hear about the mudslides. Gosh, that sounds like California. I hope all will be ok for those cut off by the slides. Does it impact transportation to your area?

As far as the yarn--ha! it WAS put away. Not "away" enough evidently. No big deal. I just can't get mad at Token--she's my resident comedienne.

I hope this effort of your brother's will turn into a lasting improvement in the relationship, Donna. It's never too late.

Heather, I love meatloaf, but DH turns pale at the very thought. I've never figured out what the deal is. He eats hamburger in other forms. Go figure! I use just an egg, too, when I make one for myself, but if you like it firmer, I used to use some raw oats in the old days. Add the egg, and then just enough oats to hold things together.

Peg au contraire, I think it's fab that you enjoy wrangling with your electronics. And congrats on the cool move stretching your new cutie shoes. Now why didn't we think of that years ago.

Nita, mustard on meatloaf??? Heresy, I say! What is your dh thinking? I grew up with a healthy layer of Heinz Chili Sauce frosting every meatloaf. It is the stuff of dreams

Tonight I'll do a driveby of kung pao chicken for dh, who has a craving. The girls are home, all fancied up, and completely passed out from all the excitement of a day at the dog spa. Actually, an hour and a half..... And me? If I closed my eyes for one second, I'd be napping, too!

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

guys,
I'm so, so sorry...all I can manage is a fly by tonight. I'm exhausted. Murphy was at work today, and that's alls I'm gonna say.
My heel is in full revolt against my best efforts to ignore it :(
Yeah, Peg...it will be an ice and stretch evening, for me...ack!

I got almost NO sleep last night...I'm nearing cross-eyed status as I type this. I couldn't turn my brain off, tossed and turned, and finally at 0315, I said to heJJ with it and got up. Soooooo...I'm headed for the shower, jammies, a nice cuppa DCGT and a benadryl for my allergies, then I bet it will be *lights out* for me...LOL.(at least I hope, for Pete's sake!)
I thought of each and every one of you today, and I smiled So see, gal pals are a good thing

off I go...
(((hugs to all)))
Shelley(the frazzled!)

__________________
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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!

Still in the distance, but sticking head in and waving...................

Where is Alida??? It's sort of scary not to hear from her for a couple of days.
Donna, So glad to read that your daughter has been accepted to rehab. It's been a long time coming.
Heather, Sorry to hear that your parents are moving. I'm sure it is sad to lose their companionship and support.
Welcome Nita -- good to have another Texan in the ranks. Aren't you in the Waco area?

Quick update from me:

• I got home Saturday night, and have hardly left the house since. Thank goodness it is Spring Break. (However, I am slowly working my way through a bag full of stuff to grade.)
• The meeting I attended set the standards that determine what 12th grade students should know about economics. I was one of 30 people on the panel. These standards will be used from now on in the "Nation's Report Card for 12th grade Economics" Look for a report in the paper around September. They will be using the achievement level standards that we set last week.
  
• Speaking of spring........ it is amazing. It still looked like winter when I left, and then 5 days later when I returned, everything was popping out in blooms. The green pollen dust from the pine trees is already coating everything. Our black cars look rough, but it's wasted effort to wash them at this point.
  
• Insurance has the check in the mail for DD's apartment flood. She's getting enough to cover a new computer. All in all, she came out acceptably on that disaster.
  
• DD's car got appraised today. She sees an adjuster tomorrow. We are afraid that since there were no witnesses or cops, that the other lady's insurance will try to deny that their client was at fault. DD did have a camera in her purse and took pictures at the scene.
  
• Her house deal is still in limbo. The "motivated" seller is not very motivated to get things done. She hopes to have everything locked down by Friday.
  
• We'll be back in Dallas Thursday through Sunday. This time we will get to do a little babysitting. I'm working the whole weekend and all that needs to be done around DGD. This time she gets the #1 slot on the "To Do" list.

Barb, Brenda, Peg and Shelley ---- Hugs to you!!

Terry and Rachel -- I've come back to stick my head in. It doesn't look like my chair is gone. I'll bet yours are still here, too.

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