Hi, everyone! It's good to "see" you all again.
Judy, great to have you back! I've been thinking of you lately and wondering how you were doing. I've also found that these "breaks" from the program have been good learning experiences. Sometimes we learn more from *not* doing well. Like you, I found I have to track. Always. Forever and ever, amen. When I stop, I gain. It's that simple.
Dora, congrats to DH! I hope he finds a good place to live soon.
About the PF ... here's what has helped me.
1. Taking Celebrex. DH is a podiatrist, so we get free samples.
It's so much more effective for me than Advil, though Advil does help IF I take it regularly and don't miss a dose. The important thing is to keep the inflammation at bay, and that means taking the meds on a regular schedule. I now take Celebrex whenever I feel even a hit of the PF returning. Nips it in the bud.
2. Keeping off my foot as much as possible; keeping it elevated and iced. This is what I do when the PF is acting up. And I'll have to do this for a good month or two (once it was even three), until the inflammation is gone. You should try to elevate it above your heart level. That's when it does the most good.
3. I got custom-made orthotics (from DH), and I wear them all the time. Even in slippers. I wear my (New Balance) cross-training shoes 99.9 percent of the time, even with dresses! It's not my preference, because I would really like to wear stylish shoes. But this is what keeps my feet healthy. DH says that as I continue to lose weight, I'll probably be able to wear other shoes more. How's that for inspiration?
4. I replace my shoes every six months. It's not fun, but it keeps my feet in working order. I can really tell if I wait too long to replace my shoes; the PF starts threatening to kick in again.
OK, now about my vacation.
It was marvelous. It got progressively better and better. I started out with a terrible cold, which meant I didn't see much of Kennebunkport, Maine. I got better while we were visiting friends in Freeport, Maine. It was fun to see them, although I can't say I found it relaxing being around four small, extremely active children for hours at a time! They're all cuties, though, and our friends are fantastic parents. I was impressed. Maine -- what I saw of it -- is beautiful.
Then we went to the Adirondacks (as we do every year) and visited our friends there, and it was magical as always. My girlfriend and I spent our usual day toodling around Vermont, too, and gawking at the colors.
I got in a fair amount of walking, and I tracked everything, although if I really wanted to eat something, I did. I found, though, that I had no trouble eating much smaller portions than I used to -- just a bite or two of dessert, for example, was enough. I wore my "skinny" jeans (18W) most of the time, and they never got too tight.
This morning I found that I'd lost a pound on vacation, which is a great bonus. We'll see what the WW scales say tonight.
Onward and downward,
Lauren
274/209/199 by Christmas (home scales, a.m.)
Hey, you did better than me this summer. My DH being laid off seemed like a reason to absolutely stuff myself like a madwoman. 
I've added 20#, sorry to say. 
He may even buy a really cheap car and pay the liability insurance if public transportation isn't available. We'lll play that one by ear. Right now we are just praying that he is the right person for this job. He is feeling a bit stretched in this position and was hired over the phone. I just know he will perform splendidly. Can you tell I'm proud of him?
