Good morning. The storm has passed and there is word there may be another tonight. It sure wrecked havoc. 91 kph winds. Power lines down, trees down, one person hit from a tree, several car accidents. It was some storm for sure!!

One nice thing is that the temps. dropped a little. This morning it is bearable. In fact it is the kind of morning that I would like to be sitting on my patio with a cup of tea enjoying my flowers. But, bills to pay so I have to be at work.

Did I tell you guys that the boss got his license back. No more being chauffeur...on the downside, I do have to put up with him all day now.

Berta: How wonderful that your dh's surgery went well. And now the troops arrive...that will keep you busy for sure.

Judy: Have fun with dd...don't make it all work and no play. I think I hear the stores in the mall calling you!

MK: Nuts on not getting laminate...but I've had to bend on lots of issues too.

Well, it's off to work...have a good day.

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

Hello, everyone. Things are happening fast and furious around here--especially Mary Kay and her house decorating decisions! I think you're wise to avoid the dark carpet. Some style maven at our church got one of the large meeting rooms carpeted in a dark burgundy, and it shows every little speck of dirt and dust--plus, it has faded badly wherever the sun shines in. I LOVE the cherry hardwood floors in my living and dining rooms--very easy to take care of. However, I like having carpet underfoot in my den and bedroom. It's plain beige, and usually a little gray because of Veronica fur. Hazelnut sounds like a delicious color, whatever it is. Just curious--what is it about hardwood floors your DH doesn't like? Most modern finishes are durable and easy-care. Of course, we're all entitled to our likes and dislikes, and if he doesn't like 'em, there's no point in trying to point out the practicalities. My den has butter yellow walls, which look lovely with my dark blue sofa. I didn't plan this--it just happened.

Donna, those storms sound scary. Stick close to home when you can. You haven't whined at all about having to be a chauffeur, and that's admirable. You've already demonstrated the patience of a saint on many fronts.

Bert, encouraging thoughts and prayers headed your way. Having a loved one in the hospital is like living on a different planet--and certainly an alternative time zone. Take care of you.

I'm setting up appts. and running errands today. Crazy how the time goes by so fast. When did I have time to work???

See you soon.

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


My Fitday Journal

Whoa....... we area busy group today. So far today I have
*taped off the wall in DD's dining area
*primed that area
*put texture on it --- yeah, did I say that it has a 12' vauled ceiling
*taped off her french door window panes and frame
*filled all the holes in the door frame that were never done when the dor was installed.

DH has scrubbed and primed the brick on the fireplace.

Tomorrow will be more priming and then painting for me, DH is ready for paint on the fireplace, and DD is going to attack the door and frame.

Nothing like a holiday for resting up

Have a great 4th everyone. (Happy Canada Day --a little late, Donna)

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

Have a safe and fun Holiday!

Wanted to fly by and let you all know that I'm thinking of you all here at LCE. Going to be a busy next few days. FIL birthday tomorrow, going to be in the 4th of July float with the kids and my mom's church, and then Saturday is another birthday party and a funeral. My DH young friend, in his 40's, took a few days off of work because he wasn't feeling good. A few days later he passed away after 2 strokes. They found 2 small blood clots. This man was the kind of guy that everyone enjoyed because he made you feel part of the group. You know that type that you feel like you've always known? Very lively and it's hitting everyone pretty hard at DH work. We've received many messages of crying coworkers on our machine yesterday when we were out.

Enough sadness, we saw Wall-e and it really was a cute movie.

__________________

I had a crappy day today. One of those terrible, awful, can't stand it kind of days. And just when I thought it couldn't get any worse...... I had flowers delivered to me. I couldn't believe anyone would send me flowers. I ripped open the box and found.....my boss did it!! I'm more excited about the fact that he did this all by himself than the fact that I got the flowers....well, almost. On the card it says simply....for everything. And attached to it....was a cheque for $500.00. I knew he appreciated what I did for him while he was laid up...but I never expected this. It sure turned my day around.

HAPPY 4TH EVERYONE!!

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

Wow Donna, how nice that he recognized that you have been so good to him. Men do come through sometimes. Sorry you had such a crappy day, but what a great ending.

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

Happy Independence Day! Recommend everyone re-read the Declaration of Independence, which is probably published in your local paper--and certainly somewhere online. Atheists must be annoyed that our country was so vividly founded on human rights "endowed by their Creator."

Donna, your boss's timing is perfect. You deserved a little tribute for the over-and-above effort you always provide, and I'm glad he thought of it.

I think I'll take the day off. har har

Wishing "the pursuit of happiness" to everyone today--even if it sounds like (in Judy's case) a lot of work!

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


My Fitday Journal

What a wonderful gesture, Donna. Your boss may be a jerk most of the time, but he must have moments! Or maybe it's his re-arranged gray matter.....

Judy, ack. 12 foot ceilings? PIA is all I can say.

Barb, morning!

I know today is a holiday, but it's also laundry day, paperwork day, and catching up day. Nothing like the freedom to do what you have to do anyway. Hope everyone has a lovely day--even Donna, who'll be working away!.

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

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!

Boy, am I ready for this holiday! Bob and I are going to Ameristar Casino. First we will see a movie then have dinner. Afterward, a little gambling for an hour or so and be back home in time for fireworks. Works for me!

Brenda!!! What a wonderful thing to have happen. You will have fun shopping -- for free. Before I won a small diamond pinky ring at a raffle, I could truthfully say the only thing I have won in my life was an egg separator at a Tupperware Party.

Donna, what a great end to a crappy day. What a nice thing for your boss to do! Any thoughts on moving your MIL closer to you? It sounds like she will be needing more help in the near future. I hope your DH smacks his brother for not calling, at least. (Am I getting the family relationships correct)?

Judy, I can't believe how much you got done already and you have only been there -- what? A day? You really rock!

Heather, oh, how sad. Does anyone know what caused the clots?

Mary Kay, I was going to suggest wood floors, too! If you watch HGTV around 7pm Central Time, the program is called "Get It Sold" -- I think. They take a house that has been on the market forever and give it a $2,000 re-do and voilà! It sells. And all they can talk about are: wood floors, neutral colors, stainless appliances and granite counter tops. I mean, they rave about wood floors. BUT, since you are not worrying about resale, I guess bending to your DH's wishes on this detail is the way to go. I like the Hazelnut color carpet idea. I am thinking a darkish beige/golden brown like, um, hazelnut. Is the house a ranch? Or does it have steps? One idea I have seen in a lot of high-priced homes is a patterned low pile carpet on the stairs.

Is it Rachel's birthday? Let's all send an e-mail!

Berta, whew! I imagine you are glad that operation is over. By now your children should be there. That's so good for you, your DH. Enjoy!

Barb, LOL about wondering how you found the time to actually go to work. Isn't it so wonderful not to have to worry about that any more?! Will you do the Fireworks thing tonight? Isn't there a display around Union Station? Or do you go somewhere else? I am about 5 minutes away from Corporate Woods ... and we see them from our upstairs BR window. But tonight we may actually brave the crowd.

Shelley have a great 4th!

Peg, where are you? What are you doing today?

Have a great day, everyone. All day today I will think it's Saturday. And I will wallow in the warmth of being with my dear husband for a whole day and evening! XXOO

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

Saturday morning check in..........
*Walls are finished -- the texture looks great, but was a real pain to paint. Lots of ridges with undersides that were hard to cover.
*Fireplace is finished

Today's project
*put up a new ceiling fan
*paint three door facings and some wainscoting

Getting the remainder of the projects (door facings and wainscoting) finished became sort of "iffy" last night. We found out that DFIL fell night before last and broke two ribs. We had DS go check on him and for the time being he seems to be as OK as you could hope for. He is in considerable pain and will need to see his regular doctor on Monday for more meds.

Gotta go........... DH needs help.

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

Hi Guys!

I'm here. Yesterday was a hectic day, but fun. Dh "race-walked" in a 5K at 7 am yesterday morning. He made it until the very end when he fell. But, he is okay with just a little cut on his elbow. Then he came home and woke me up at 10:00am! I got up and we got busy making the four salads that I love to serve to company. Then the "inevitable lunch" and we came home to rest before the BIG parade. Dh walked in the parade with about 100 others in our community who carried peace signs behind the "Mayflower" (a wooden boat, with a motor) upon which I rode, along with 20 other Pilgrims. This was a commuity parade, truly a small town gathering, and a lot of fun to participate in. It was made harder by the weather. It was 102 yesterday, and supposed to be hotter today. Then about 6:00 after the parade, two couple came over for dinner. I had Sam Adams beer, and the salads and bread with my bff's carrot cake (another story). We were both pooped by the time they all left, and went to bed at 9:30 with the sounds of fireworks booming the the background.

On Wednesday night, my bff came over with her Shih Tzu, Vera. I had invited her for the fourth. Dh was gone over night and through Thursday at a conference. Honestly, we were two absolute slugs. We talked until 10:30 and then were going to sleep so went to bed. We got up Thursday, went to Denny's for bkfst (our favorite bkfst place), then came home and watched (and slept through) "The Great Debaters." But, we had a lot of time to talk and laugh. She told me that she was going to leave that night because she knew that I wasn't going to be alone and another friend was, so she was going to spend the fourth with her. I was shocked, to say the least. It was a little difficult, because she was defensive, and I was not sure about whether I invited her first, or invited our friends first. Well, she did make the carrot cake before she left, and left it here. It was a difficult time between us.

But, I have to say that I had a fabulous time with Vera!! What a cutie. We played and played, and she actually asked me (well, you know in doggie talk) when she needed to go out. We had "pee pads" set out for her, but she didn't use them. It was a good time. We are going to get along really well when she comes later in month for me to babysit. At one point, dh was laying on the floor doing his exercises, and Vera came up and put her head in his armpit and just collapsed in ecstasy; her little legs went straight out on the floor and she looked like she could be saying: "Oh how wonderful, an armpit." It was darling and we got a big laugh out of it.

Judy: You make me tired. What a wonderful thing you are doing for your dd. I know that you enjoy it. I envy you with a dh who can not only DO that kind of stuff, but sticks with it.

Alida: You are wonderful, my dear. I am here, but suffering with my foot. I am keeping it iced as much as I can, but yesterday was bad. I am also having a lot of sciatica. I've decided that as of now, I am not going to do anything about it. Thanks so much for your care and your cards.

Heather: So sorry to hear of the death of your dh's buddy.
That can be very hard. My dd is going through that right now at her office. So sad.

MK: Your plans sound so wonderful. How exciting it is to be planning.

Barb: Happy day after the fourth to you.

Bren: What are you doing this weekend? My pastor came to the dining hall yesterday and pulled me out. She asked me to help her tomorrow with worship. She has just learned that her dh has cancer. I held her and told her I would be available to do whatever she didn't want to do. I thought of you and your hospice training. They don't know yet whether it is multiple myeloma or some other form of invasive cancer. Those results some time early next week. He's in his early 50's. Too young!!

Shel: Thinking of you and praying loudly.

Happy birthday to Rachel!!!

Berta: I hope that you are having a good weekend. I am following along with your terrible stress with your dh. Peace to you, my dear.

Donna: I can't believe that your boss came through like that. Maybe his brain is going to work better??!!

Peace and love to all the rest. I need to get dressed for the "inevitable" lunch. Then icing the foot and getting caught up on some of my catalogs. In other words, continuing to be a sloth.

Love to all, Peg

The first week of July and everyone is sure keeping busy.

BC – have fun spending your winnings!! I get a $500 sears gift card for my CC point, but its’ going towards a vertical washer/dryer for the new place. I have enough other stuff anyhow.
Judy – It sounds like you are just so busy with the painting and all. I hope you will be available to help me when I am ready  Just found out one of our new neighbors is a professor at the college my son got his major schooling at.
Peg, I’m sorry you are still having foot problems, and everything else. But sure sounds like you are still keeping busy. And you get a puppy visitor next month. How special.
And I hope you get the new space you are wanting
My foot at this point just feels weird. Not as much pain anymore.
Heather – you should be starting work on your new home soon. I am anxious to hear your adventures. We are just too old and willing to let someone else do our work this time.
Berta – I hope things get better soon for your DH. I know it has to be so hard on you and I’m glad your family is coming to help.
Donna – I was glad to see you got some appreciation, and I do hope that your DD is just growing up and ready to make her own decisions and that they are in her best interests.

And to the others – I hope you all had a great Holiday weekend.

As for my ongoing decorating choices. We did a silly test at PorterPaints to see what our ‘colors’ are, and both hubby and I are Almond&Honey. Funny enough, that is how our decorating choices are sizing up.
We can’t go with too many upgrades – for awhile we are making 2 rather large mortgage payments – so getting the place for location and building quality and will grow into more upgrades and decorating choices
Carpet is called SandDune – sort a of a light shimmery natural. (yeah, I know, the dog- I will just have to keep my vacumn handy.- another reason that wood is not an option)
The walls are going to be a warm light amber/ivory – which will be a pretty contrast to the white molding and trims.
Both bathrooms have an almond w/white swirls counter, and a white floor with almond swirls.
This is a ranch, and all the rooms pretty much connect through the living room – so we want some consistency at the beginning.
So, going very neutral, but warm. But the colors look great with the deep red couch, and the blue/brown family room furniture, and the dark woods of our furniture.
Kitchen and foyer ceramic tile is a mixed beige color.
Describing it sounds almost boring, but it isn’t.
And one upgrade hubby is going for is the audio wiring to speakers in the ceiling in the living room/ family room and covered patio – and having pretty much all the rooms wired for adding ceiling fans.

__________________
Mary Kay 1/1/04 - 232
5/19/08 (5/23/08) - sw226/(cw222)/mg210/fg160

Peg, my mom had multiple myeloma. She died 15 years ago and was diagnosed 8 years before that. At the time of her diagnosis, she was severe stage 3 and they didn't give her 6 months to live. Mom was lucky enough to have benefited from much of the testing they were doing for AIDS at that time. They would try a new drug on AIDS patients and determine that it didn't work for them but it would show success in treating other diseases. She was one of the very first people that took interferon when it came off the experimental list. 23 years ago we were pretty shocked when they told us that a 60 day supply would be $4000. Although MM cannot be cured, it can be treated and put in remission. A number of well known people have the disease, such as Geraldine Ferraro. She and many other now take thalidomide as a means of controlling the disease. It's certainly not a good diagnosis, but 20 years ago it was a lot worse.

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

How did it get to be Sunday afternoon already? We've been up the road to have lunch with my "kids" (stepkids) and their kids--son and wife, who are expecting a baby in August. First time I've met the mommy-to-be. They are very young and not well-positioned to be parents...but that's the way it goes.

Peg, I'm so sorry about your pastor's husband. I know you'll be supportive, but there's just no good way to get our heads around tragic diseases, especially in young lives.

4th of July was a glorious day here--cool and pleasant. About dark, we took lawn chairs down to the end of the street where there's a school athletic field. A bunch of neighbor guys put on a great fireworks show--illegal as heck within city limits, but nobody seemed to be making a big deal out of that this year. We heard big noise until almost midnight.

Today it's very hot, and I'm settling in for a good read on the porch. I'll come back again tomorrow.

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


My Fitday Journal

Just received a call from my ds who says him and his wife are finished. I was shocked and didn't know what to say other than the fact that we would be there for him. We're going to pick up him and kids in about an hour and bring them here for dinner. I don't know any of the details except that he didn't like her working nights in a bar and asked her to quit..she refused. He sure didn't sound very good...and now I'm worried about the grandkids...what a mess.

Sorry I can't stick around...I can't fix ds's heart but I can do my best to ease some of the pain and I do that by cooking...I'm off to make all his favorites.

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