Good afternoon people and a very
to you. Yesterday and today are just running away from me. There is some time for relaxing but my head is swirling with all sorts of things I want to get done before the weekend is over. I am in the mood to start the new year on the right foot - beginning with focusing on all those little things (like taking vitamins and warm compresses for the dry eyes) that I should have been doing all along. My scatterbrain is fighting me all the way. And I should put some time in tomorrow on work because I didn't get much done on Thursday. But if I keep my resolve to get into the office earlier then I won't have to work tomorrow
Shad - I have seen some news articles and pictures of the terrible flooding out your way. It is heartbreaking. Such destruction that water can bring. And everything that gets soaked much gets ruined. Don't know how they can salvage some of the crops. Not good for people, not good for the economy. My heart goes out to those who are suffering. Hope the 2 DS can meet and spend some quality time together. I take it that he is off to NZ or are they both in Aus now? Sounds like you have a good exercise plan. Get some resistance bands and you can probably give up the weights at the gym. In fact for what you are spending at the gym you could probably buy yourself some dumbells.
Laura - glad your friend was able to make it over. Sounds like you had a nice little gathering - and little as to not too many people. How nice to have Sunday to yourself. You can cheer the Bears to victory
Hey I figure what's the fun in having a long weekend unless you can hoard some of that time to yourself. So enjoy!
Ceejay - I saw the guitar drop in Nashville. It was a little cheesy perhaps had some technical problems due to the rain but it so SO NICE to actually see something live in our time zone so for that I'm grateful. You're right - you have to experiment with the grill. I burned the fish I did. It seems to work with burgers the best.
Mel you dirty lady.
Had a good laugh at your squeeze balls
Give us a rundown on that one, will you? I'm glad you got to stay up, even if you were busy cleaning. Was Jen and Ritchie with you?
I think the other ladies are sleeping in today. :ssh: Let's not wake them
My plans for a better year ahead are to:
Keep a reminder of the little things I should be doing for my betterment to include things like taking my vitamins, warm compresses on the eyes, a committment to clean up and keep clean one drawer, hot spot or shelf at least once a week each week throughout the year.
I need to save more money so I am reviewing what I spend and looking for less expensive ways to get the things I need and cutting down the discretionary spending. I already told the cafeteria manager that come January she'd be seeing less of me as lunches are one of the easiest ways to control my spending. I feel bad because they are struggling to stay open as it is. We lost alot of people in our building and she is caught in the old catch 22 - the less income she gets, the more they cut back and they more they cut back on options, the more people tend to stay away. It would be a shame to lose them completely but I wouldn't be surprised if they were not profitable enough and forced to close.
On the food front I am giving Weight Watchers one last try. I spend money each month for the online services which I have used sporatically so I made a committement in saving money that I'm either going to use it or give it up. I do admit right now it's a pain because I have to recalculate most of my food and recipes to work with the new points system. But since I consider counting calories far more tedious, we'll give this a go.
I need to get serious on the exercise too. DH said I could use the treadmill upstairs, just please don't trot on it - it is a gym quality treadmill and weighs something like 700 pounds - he was a bit concerned with the floor squeeking when I was trying to ramp up my workout with bits of actual running. Don't want to go crashing into the kitchen
I've got some new gentle yoga tapes I've been wanting to try and will also use the exercise bands twice a week for resistance training. I think that will round out the program.
Now that I've published them, I have to stick to them, right? With that, I'm going to go look up additional WW foods for my weekly menu. Have a good evening folks.
I FORGOT ALL ABOUT THE PARADE!
SENDING A GOOD THOUGHT YOUR WAY.
Guess that made up for the Christmas visit we didn't get to have. 
You always impress me with your drive to get so much done on the weekends. I feel so lazy. I do really, really like your cleaning commitment too. If there's one thing my back pain has taught me over the last few months is that I can accomplish a lot in 15-20 minute bursts. Fly Lady style! I've been in too much pain to clean for hours at a stretch...but I can hit hot spots for 10-20 minutes once a day. I want to learn the new Weight Watchers. I really have a bit of reading to do because like you...all the points I've memorized for my favorite foods are now different. As for trotting on the treddie...when you want to burn more calories, it might be best if you increase time or to increase intensity, you can increase the incline rather than the speed. I'd hate to think of you hurting your foot trying to trot or jog on the treddie. I really like using resistance bands for strength training because you can adjust the resistance so easily. That's so great you had a lovely half-day conversation with your sister! I say use up what you have in the frig/freezer...it's less diet friendly, but it will save you $$. And then monitor your portions. You only have another month of winter?! I'm so dang jealous!! 
