You ladies are all so productively busy! I'm happy to report that I finally got around to some housekeeping yesterday, so I can live with myself now. The bathroom needed serious attention.

In the afternoon, the clouds parted for a while, and I went for a very long walk. In fact, it took me to the Apple Store on the Plaza. No, not fruit--computers and accessories. I bought a pink protective holder for my iPhone, and determined that, no, I probably don't want to upgrade my old computer at this time. Maybe next year. While in Loose Park, I accessed iTunes and downloaded ABBA right out of the air. That really pepped up my walking! Love my new gadget.

That long walk also depleted my water-retention cells, and I had a pleasant weight drop this morning--first time that needle has moved in forever. I needed that! I look forward to getting outdoors again today.

Our new interim senior pastor preaches for the first time today. We're all ready to be nice to him. Now the search for a new permanent pastor will go forward full speed (as soon as we get the search committee appointed).

Best wishes for a relaxing Palm Sunday.

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


My Fitday Journal

Got a little bit of a shock this am when I got an email from dh's dd asking how I'm coming with the tile picking? What tile picking?? I thought it was all done. So, I sent it right back to find out.

Yesterday I was going to get organized. I got ready to get organized instead. You know how us procrastinators are. I'm taking on the Chair of the Committee on Ministry for our denomination in this area. It is a BIG job, with lots of paperwork, which was all on my email inbox. I had to print it all out so I can put it in a notebook with tabs and all that stuff. Sheesh. I think I have all the printing done now. I've got the pile of printed papers on the dining room table along with the three hole punch, the label maker, and the notebook and dividers. I hope that I am doing this right, but I am doing it the best way I know to be able to answer questions. I begin in June, but tomorrow night's meeting, the chair isn't going to be there, so I have to have all this stuff ready to go, and be able to answer questions. Be4cause of budget cuts we are losing our staff member who covers this committee. Aack.

On my way to another "inevitable" lunch. I've been taking only salad for a few weeks now. They often have a tuna salad or a crab salad on the salad bar and I put it on the fresh greens they always have. Then, I go to the line to see if they have any protein worth eating. Usually they don't. Take my iced tea, and fall prey every day to the freshly made bread, which is always dense, and wonderful (not white).

So, I'm going to try to take SP for a long walk this afternoon. She is not a very good walker. She doesn't have the stamina for it, and also has those little legs that have to work hard to keep up with me. I end up pulling her around. She wants to spend time identifying which dog sent the "p-mail" on every tree, and every bush. It is a pain in the you know what. I'm trying to teach her to walk nicely on the leash. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. Yesterday, I ended up carrying her home!! She is heavy, like a baby. This little dog has a very good deal here!

Love ya all, this Palm Sunday
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
65 years young

Happy Palm Sunday! This morning Bob asked me what Palm Sunday is. I was so happy that I was able to tell him, and sound quite authoritative about it, too. With his son being a Presby minister, you would think he would know this stuff ... even if just by osmosis over 70 some odd years.

Barb, LOL. Don't you hate it when tech stuff rears it's head and wants to bite you? I have seen some ads for those advanced phones ... one even has software that turns it into a level, just in case you want to hang a picture or build a cabinet. BTW, can you actually CALL someone on it?

Peg, wow. That sounds like a very, very big project. Notebook? Dividers? For a procrastinator, you sure are organized. I, too, thought you had all your tile picked out. Yikes. Speaking of dogs, I watched a fascinating program about dogs yesterday. Some university in Sweden, Denmark or someplace up yonder, did a study with dogs and wolves. The wolves were raised since birth by these people so they were sorta tame, but still wolves. One experiment put meat in one container. The person held up two containers and then put them on the floor. She then pointed to one container. Whether it was the one containing the meat or not, the dog went to the container that the person pointed to. The wolf? Nah. They went where the meat was. Another experiment put a piece of meat on a string which was put through a cage. Both the dog and the wolf were able to figure out how to grab the string and pull the meat out. Next, they tied the meat down so it was more difficult to move. The wolf tried, then just got exasperated and walked away when he could not get the meat. The dog? When the dog could not get the meat, he looked up at the human ... as if to say, "Well, I can't get it ... will you get it for me?" These experiments were made to show how centuries of breeding have made dogs look to and depend on their human "pack leaders." They also mentioned that people have bred dogs to love. Interesting, eh?

Gotta run. Have a wonderful week. We are cold tomorrow, but then a warm up should come through. XXOO

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

Well, Alida, it turned out to be a cold, rainy Sunday in our neck o' the woods. A good excuse not to go out walking for miles. But I missed that.

Peg, Committee on Ministry is a Big Deal. Obviously they picked the best person for the job. Already you're giving it your best.

Alida, one of the first things I downloaded on my new iPhone is that free Level. Yup--I can hang a picture at the drop of a hat anywhere I go.

I spent a couple of hours this afternoon at KC Hospice, where a dear friend of many, many years has just been admitted. She wasn't supposed to live until today, but she has. Her husband is also a friend, and they were extremely close companions throughout their marriage. He's going to need divine assistance, and I was there on stand-by for a little while.

Now I need to put up my feet and get ready for another busy week.
See you tomorrow.

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


My Fitday Journal

from my post in the accountability thread...
Also, I posted a recipe I came up with, and if I do say so myself, it's pretty darn yummy if anyone is in the market for a good LC Easter dessert.

The recipe is here if anyone wants to take a look-see.(with pics!)

Gosh...Peg you are one busy cookie!!
Barb and Alida...my DH was in KC this morning and he called to tell me about the BIG OLE FAT FLUFFY snowflakes that were coming down. He said it wasn't sticking, but it was coming down pretty good.
Judy...wanna come help me wash windows??? hehe...I thought not.

I think I'd like a hot cup of green tea. I'm off.
TTFN

(((hugs to all)))
s

__________________
Shelley


Visit Kassie's Korner


"A goal without a plan is just a wish."
--Antoine de Saint Exupery

I’m SOONER born,
And SOONER bred,
And when I die,
I’ll be SOONER dead!
GO SOONERS!
I be ready for some football!

One little walker-runner Dude for every 10 miles!

I think the weather is determined not to give us two pretty days in a row. Yesterday was wonderful, today was windy and cold. We had to cover the plants again tonight, and may even have a freeze tomorrow night. I'm about to call BS on this --- next Sunday is Easter. That's it, cold is supposed to be done.

from my facebook status........
Have a good week everyone. We have a 4 day week this week and another one next week. On top of that I have one day this week where almost everyone I teach will be out for a field trip. Oh darn, can you tell I'm just destroyed by that.

__________________
Judy
Goal = <135, Current status = RIGHT ON TARGET!
Never give up. Never never never never give up -- Winston Churchill

Judy, I'm glad you're looking forward to a slightly eased-up schedule this week. Not that you'll slow down the least bit! Seems like stuff always fills in, doesn't it? I admire your energy. I have a full calendar, with lots of variety.

I sat with my friend at his wife's bedside at Hospice House yesterday afternoon for a couple of hours. She was admitted on Thursday, and they really didn't expect her to hang so long. It's a heartbreaking vigil, as some of you know, but KC Hospice is a lovely place for it. Peaceful--none of the noise and hustle of a hospital, plenty of space for visitors, and a constant supply of coffee and food.

Today, I take my dad to a dr.'s appt., and another on Wednesday. Ain't it too bad we can't have our "extra" years (thanks to healthy habits) in the middle instead of at the end?? My dad's brother, and last remaining sibling, died on Saturday in Ohio. He was almost 15 years younger than my dad, who is the oldest of four.

Well, so much for gloomy news on a Monday morning. I hope all of you find only the bright side all week. And of course, for Christians, the brightest spot of the whole year is only a few days away.

Blessings all!

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


My Fitday Journal

Last night's meeting went really well for my first one and with little of the info I needed to answer questions. Nobody yelled at me, though a candidate was sarcastic with me. The rest of the committee liked him though, and I guess I can live with that. But, I am tired, tired, tired, today. I can't believe that I used to do this for a living. But, of course, I didn't provide a dinner for my churches as I did last night - in addition to the agenda! With budget cuts, staff are being laid off and we had to say goodbye to our staff assistant. Don't know what I'll do without her. She knows where all the bodies are buried.
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
65 years young

Hi gang,
We finally had a decent weather day, but sadly, the damage has been done with our *hard freeze* last night of 22 degrees for over 9 hours. Several of the big peach and apple orchards here in our area are reporting total losses for their crops this year. It's just so sad that someone's income(or a big part of it) can be wiped out by crummy weather.

Barb...sorry for your loss. It must be very hard for your dad. I think brothers and sisters used to be more closely connected, and in touch with each other more so than they are these days. Dunno...just my observation of my Nana and her sibs. One thing is for sure...they were the letter writing generation; beautiful penmanship and beautiful stationery.
Oh well...we can type...LOL!
Enough of my ramblings...

Peg...glad the meeting went better than expected. That's always a pleasant surprise, eh?

Waves and smiles to all!
(((hugs all around)))
s

__________________
Shelley


Visit Kassie's Korner


"A goal without a plan is just a wish."
--Antoine de Saint Exupery

I’m SOONER born,
And SOONER bred,
And when I die,
I’ll be SOONER dead!
GO SOONERS!
I be ready for some football!

One little walker-runner Dude for every 10 miles!

Big sigh. I've just come from the Hospice House where I went to sit awhile with my friend and his dying wife. As it happens, while we were holding her hands and in prayer, she died. These last few days were a hard struggle for her, and of course for her husband. His struggle will go on and on.

Old as I am, I've never actually been in the presence of any person at the moment of death. I wish it had been someone less vital, beautiful, and delightful than she, but cancer is a savage injustice.

Hug your loved ones tonight, my dears.
And take good care of you.

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


My Fitday Journal

hi guys,
Where's everybody at?? I'm here...just not much to say, and definitely nothing new

We had a gorgeous day today and in addition to my 4.44 miles, I even gave my beloved "little red"(car) a bath and an interior clean. I was going to wax it, but decided to save that job for another day, as my back was kinda letting me know it had had enough! Oh the nifty-fifties aches and pains!!

th-th-th-that's all folks!

waves and grins to all
(((hugs all around too)))
s

__________________
Shelley


Visit Kassie's Korner


"A goal without a plan is just a wish."
--Antoine de Saint Exupery

I’m SOONER born,
And SOONER bred,
And when I die,
I’ll be SOONER dead!
GO SOONERS!
I be ready for some football!

One little walker-runner Dude for every 10 miles!

I'm flying by, too. Today most of my students were out on a field trip. The few that I had in class got to "chill". I spent the day putting the finishing touches on a final project assignment. It took the entire day to get it done, but now I feel like a huge weight has been lifted.

It's bed time. One more day this week. Even better, we aren't going to a wedding in Austin this weekend. I have a hot date with a paint brush and roller. We *might* be able to get the room completed if we really get after it.

__________________
Judy
Goal = <135, Current status = RIGHT ON TARGET!
Never give up. Never never never never give up -- Winston Churchill

Yes, it appears that everyone has been busy with other things than online chatter lately. Nothing new to report from here, but thinking of you!

Judy and Peg, continuing to redecorate the world. Hope it all goes well.
Shelley, keeping track of us all, and cleaning up, as usual.

Donna, we miss you.

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


My Fitday Journal

hi guys,
fly by again...
our state is on fire. We have 3 major fires and they are having a hard time getting them under control due to the 50+ MPH winds. Several houses and barns in a rural area have been lost, along with massive amounts of land and pastures with the large, round hay bales.
The winds are not going to let up anytime soon...it may be tomorrow morning before the storm system that's giving us hurricane speed winds moves on out. Oye.
The wind is so bad in the metro, that our lights keep flickering on and off as the power lines are being blown together.
They have also evacuated businesses in downtown Norman due to danger that a structurally unsound 7 story building may blow over!!! How crazy is that????!!!!!!!

Soooooooooo....no good news from the heartland this evening. We need rain and we need it NOW. Our forecast says maybe Sunday.

everyone take care!!
(((hugs all around)))
s

__________________
Shelley


Visit Kassie's Korner


"A goal without a plan is just a wish."
--Antoine de Saint Exupery

I’m SOONER born,
And SOONER bred,
And when I die,
I’ll be SOONER dead!
GO SOONERS!
I be ready for some football!

One little walker-runner Dude for every 10 miles!

You've got the fires, we've got the tornados. Of course it would be nice if the city would pay a little more attention to the radar. Our sirens went off for 30 or more minutes past when the storm had totally passed out of the county. The good news is the alarms work, and can be heard from our house.

About to look up the website for "Lost". We had a power failure and I missed the ending. I'm going to see if I can get it online.

4 DAY WEEKEND!!

__________________
Judy
Goal = <135, Current status = RIGHT ON TARGET!
Never give up. Never never never never give up -- Winston Churchill