Well, I have been soo busy. Everything went pretty good yesterday AM. The only concerns I have are that is a corporate dress code and I'm not real happy with the hours/benefits. The hours are 8-5 with an hour for lunch, so it's a full 40 hr week. It's early for me, I work 8:30-5 now, and that's if I get here at 8:30!! It's still only 2 wks vacation, prorated for this year. I got spoiled a few jobs back with the 3 wks. There's 5-6 holidays and only 1 floater. 401K after 6 months, they match .50 on the dollar up to 6%. Health insurance after 90 days...which I don't agree with. They will need to pay me very well for me to take it. I will need to spend a few hundred dollars on suitable clothing to wear everyday. Can wear khakis on Fridays only!! The job itself sounds very challenging though. It's working for the Sr. VP of the Construction division and the VP of Business Development and Client Services, which is really Marketing and Sales. Met with HR person, Office Manager and the 2 VPs! Was there from 9-12:30!! I wanted Exec. Asst., and this is truly Exec. Asst.!! I will need at least 45-50K to make this work though. Hopefully I"ll here something by the end of the week. Hey, can any of you tell me how much dry cleaning costs per week?? Like if I brought a weeks worth of stuff there? I prefer wash and wear, but if I have to spend the money on good clothes that I need to wear everyday, I think I need to spend the money on dry cleaning too, to keep them nice.
Pryia- Glad you had a good dental experience.
Nanci- Congrats on dropping your time!
Bailey- I promise I won't mention the Q word....but congrats on considering it...it's a big step!!
RR- Ooh, hope the child is feeling better soon, and doesn't get lice!!
Lyss- On the chart at Curves, it says my heart rate should be 21 (for a 10 second count) at 70%, I think, which is what they recommend. I think that covered all 30 something ages. It goes down to 20 at 40 yr old. I would love to know if you come up with a lower fat pie crust that's still flaky!!
Rabbit- Welcome Back!! We missed you!!
Elisa- Good to see you.!! Congrats on not gaining also!! Hang in there and keep coming here!!
Jul- Welcome back!! Your trip sounds like it was fun!
Tech- Good to see you...hop right back on that wagon!
Liz- Sorry you're having job trouble. Get that resume together and get it out!!
OH, I think it was Bailey that mentioned it, if you want to send me your resume, I'll take a look at it...everyone (prospective employers) always says they like mine. I'll PM you my email address, or you can send it to the yahoo address in my Bio.
OK, I'm off to Solitary Confinement again!!! ( Central Files!) Have a great day all!
Thanks for all the nice posts. I am still counting points on most days it's just that there's been too many "free days". I'm trying to be really good this week and only get on the scale at the end of the week because the scale does rule my life. I am so happy to be maintaining so no real complaints. 10 more pounds and I'd be happy to stay there forever if I had to. 20 more pounds and I'd be HOT!! LOL!
Lyssa - thanks for the recipe, it sounds great although I'm skeptical about making a roux with no oil/butter!
Lauren - the job sounds great and if they pay you enough I think it's worth the changes but maybe not otherwise. I have no idea what a weeks worth of drycleaning costs - could be very expensive. Except maybe that you wouldn't need to dryclean the suits every week, just maybe the blouses. It would be tough for me to go back to the "corporate look" I can wear khakis here everyday no problem. And I get 4 weeks vacation and great benefits. The pay is just crap!! Good luck and keep us posted!
Pryia - as I've said I had root canal too and it's not really painful, just uncomfortable and I had to go to 2 visits so it's a bit of a pain in the *** but getting rid of the dental pain feel so great! I was in so much pain before I was thrilled to feel good without popping advils every 3 hours. Keep up the good OP work!
Bailey - thanks for the encouragement and I am definitely in on the pact - no gaining back!! that's why I weigh myself all the time so I can't slip too far. I think the nice weather will help with the exercise and I'm definitely not giving up!
Pryia-
A root canal without pain???Great news for U!!!Glad thinks are better!!
Bailey--If it is triplets U R hired as a nanny!!!!!BITE YOUR TONGUE!!!!!! A single birth, then the tubes tied are enough for me!!!!
Well...still sick and no lice!!!Thank goodness..Of course I had to look on the internet to see what a lice looked like!!!! I am home early from work and taking her to the MD....Dh had to drive to Houston for some meeting at some refinery today ...I have the family to myself!!!!!His big meeting is in Hong Kong next year...Thinks we should go!!!Not sure if a 32 hour flight is part of my plans!!!
HI ALL - thanks for the welcomes. Thought I'd take a few minutes to post today. The weekend with ds was a blast. And the store opening at the mall of America went great.
I feel so behind at home, but I'll get caught up one of these days. The bills are paid & most of the laundry is done. Next week I'm going to FL for a few days for sd's graduation - it's a whirlwind here.
Karen - Hooray for the jeans fitting & yeah for the loss!
Bailey - Hooray for limiting the cigs and for the running! ~ I'll bet it can get difficult working for your dad. ~ Glad you are enjoying flylady. I'll have to get myself resigned up.
Tech - a new job? Congrats!
Pryia - glad you didn't have any pain with the root canal.
Jul - sounds like a wonderful trip!
Nanci - yeah for dropping your time, running I guess?
Hey all, I'm not gonna try to reply to everyone right now. My brain has began it's daily shut-down. It's late in my work day and I've still been chasing network problems but I got my boss to help me and together I think we've got it figured out. At least I understand what's going on now.
I managed to resist temptation last night and did not touch the Mich Lites that are chilling in my fridge or the bottle of Merlot sitting on my wine shelf or the last bit of strawberry daquiri mix and rum I have. Instead I went outside and gave our new sod, citrus trees, tomato plants, and impatients some TLC and lots of water (it's been getting into the 90's here). After that I was sweaty and hot and all I wanted was some water. I guess I do have some willpower!!
Is it the season for dentist appointments?? I had my cleaning this morning and no cavities. Yeah!!!! They had a new toy there -- a small camera they shine around your mouth and there's a big tv on the ceiling for you to watch and the dentist has a small one to look at. Nothing like seeing close-up shots of your gums and fillings. I told her it was too much information for me. Oh well...glad that's over with.
Have a good evening everyone!! Glad you're back Rabbit!
O.K., I have some serious questions. Being new to exercise, I am not sure of some certain aspects of what is normal. I did have an exam last summer with a Cardiologist, who said I was healthy, and that I had no need to worry, so I am not worried about my heart. But is it normal when AF is visiting to have some serious overflow with exercise? Or should I maybe just take it easy until AF goes away? I am sorry if this it too disgusting to ask, but thanks to insurance, I am between gynocologists. I don't know who to ask.
Liz - WTG on skipping the alcohol. And working in a garden is good exercise, even if it doesn't compare to your usual routine.
Rabbit - Wow, Mall of America!!! That is where I want to go. It sounds like shoppers paradise, and not that bad for the family either.
RR - Glad you don't have lice, we've had it twice (once we got it form sil's kids, and then from the one year we had the girls in public school) It is a nightmare, I don't even wish on my worst enemy. Cool about your dh being in town. Where is he staying? Is he going to do anything fun while he is here? If he is going to be in town this weekend, the Houston International Festival will be going on in Downtown. This year is about France.
Elisa - Really, the roux came out really good. Just be sure it is completely dry when you are cooking it, and that you stir it continuously (which you have to do with roux anyway). One nice thing about making it dry is that it doesn't pop you while you are cooking it, which I did frequently when I was cooking with oil.
LBH - That is about where I my heart rate has been staying except for yesterday. I know that the websites I have been looking at all say 130/minute, and I think the cardiologist said 140/minute. I prefer the 130!!!
Pryia - Glad you are feeling better!!! Why don't you join us on the "Just Do It" challenge? It sure helps me to know I have to report about whether or not I exercised!!!
Nanci - Let me know what you think of the gumbo.
Bailey - What is wrong with the diet coke habbit? It is my one splurg, that doesn't hurt me calorie wise at all. I only drink one small can a day, and it helps me with sweet cravings. It isn't as though it is anything illeagle, like CRACK!!! I have no intention of giving it up ever!!! But you are entitled to do as you please!!! I know four kids who could use your help indirectly!!! You could always help those of us around here with kids keep from totally screwing them up for life. I know, that wouldn't help your career advancement. I would love to help kids of divorce understand their life cituations. I think counseling should be required for all children of divorce, to help them cope.
Karen - Keep it up, you are doing great!!!
BFB - Are you there? How are you? Hope you are feeling well, and that the job front is going well. And that cheescake is staying out of your way.
Thanks so much for all the well-wishes on the cutting back and the job. For those who kindly offered to look the resume over for me, thanks! I am finishing the cover letter tonight and will email it out. MUCH appreciated!
We went clamming this weekend and never ate all the clams. So today (4 days is the longest they recommend you store them live), I decided to cook the little buggers and make crab cakes. How can I have no qualms about slicing them open with a knife and popping them in my mouth with a little cocktail sauce, but I feel like Molly the Murderer when I cook them? The biggest sucker refused to give up the ghost for about 5 full minutes. I was literally almost crying (I know, this is pathetic). Next question: How do you "chop" a clam. I will just forwarn you, if you attempt to do it in the blender or by hand, you may never eat a clam again. Anyway, they came out good. I bet they can be made with canned clams and come out just as good, so I decided to share the recipe (Very easy!)
1 Cup chopped clams
1 Cup milk
1 Egg
2 Cups flour
4 tsp (heaping) baking powder
salt
Plenty of pepper
Mix all ingredients and cook in hot oil.
This made 3 cups of mix, and comes out to 30 points if I did it correctly (using 1% milk). (8 points for 9 oz clams, 18 for 2 cups flour, 2 for egg, 2 for milk). I had a 1/4 cup clam cake (2.5 points) cooked in 2 t oil (2 points). Will try baking one and let you know how it is. if it is good, this is pretty good and low point.
Nanci: I told my dr that I drink (and how much) and he did not mention anything about not drinking on the welbutrin. Said I can't be on Ritalin with it, though Wow - how did you cut down from a pack a day to 5 or 6 a day so quick? I'm impressed! The dog is depressed because today is my "day off" from running
Pryia: Glad the dentist went well - I have heard that root canal specialists are the way to go pain wise. Great job OP - good luck with the "e" word!
LBH: Hope the offer is what you want! Not sure about the drycleaning question. I have found, however, that a lot of the "dry clean only" stuff comes out fine if you wash it in the washer (have been doing this with a number of the items I am undergrowing). Thanks for the encouragement!
Elisa: Curse that scale-monster! You can make it to the end of the week. Unfortunately, I am likely going to break our pact and be up at weigh-in saturday - but I PROMISE it won't become a trend. GL with the exercise. And remember - You are HOT NOW!
RR: I don't think I could handle being a triplet nanny! Best stick to just 1, ok?
Rabbit: Glad things went so well - don't worry about the house (baby steps and you will get there) Enjoy FL! Thanks for the kind words!
Liz: Glad things are a bit better at work! GREAT JOB on gardening instead of drinking. Unfortunately, your drinks managed to find me (I had 2 unplanned glasses of wine). Yuck on the large screen dental display!
Lyssa: I think over the long term, exercise makes TOM easier, shorter, lighter and less painful. However, I have heard that right when you start an exercise program or change levels of exercise, it can make it come early. Maybe it makes it heavier too? RR - do you know???
OK, I will stay off the crack. Really, there is nothing wrong with diet coke in MODERATION. I, however, usually go over the deep end and have a ton. This makes me retain water and makes me less likely to DRINK water. Plus, diet coke just goes so well with chocolate...... Interesting ideas on how to stay involved with kids - I am thinking about doing some volunteer work (or becoming a triplet nanny )
Oh Bailey, I haven't cut down to 5 or 6 a day rather cut 5 or 6 out that I normally smoke. I guess I will just ask the Dr. about the Welbutrin and drinking. I just don't want her to suggest that I hit the Betty Ford clinic.
Speaking of the Betty have any of you read the Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya sisterhood? I loved this book and I hear that it is coming out as a movie soon.
Pryia, I am glad to hear that the root canal was painless.
Lauren, I think the dry cleaning charges really depend on where you live. I will take in three suits, 5 pairs of slacks, a couple dresses, couple blouses and it will be about 50.00
I find that I do not need to dry clean each time I wear something. I tend to get most blouses that I can wash. I also wash some dry clean only on delicate and hang up.
The job sounds exciting. I have to dress corporate each day as well. It does not bother me.
Elisa, You are so cute. Here is to 20lbs and being hot!
Rabbit, It sounds like the trips were fun. Glad you are getting caught up.
Liz, Congrats on making it through the day without getting into the liquid refreshments.
Lyssalou, I am not sure about the flow thing. I would keep an eye on it and see if it persists.
We are off to dance class tonight. This is our first one. It should be interesting.
Hi all!! Well, first let me confess. I used up all my points today PLUS my bank. But man, was it good!! We went out to Jose Tejas. I don't know if it's a chain or not. It's Mexican and Cajun. Yummy. Now, to be fair to myself, I did suggest other locations where I could get a much lower point dinner, but DH had his heart set on this place. OH WELL. Least I was mostly good.
School is gonna be a b$%$% the next three months. The teacher is a, well, I can't think of a polite word. Thank god DH knows the language I'm going to be learning. He will be able to help me 'cause the teacher certainly won't . Sigh. I'm not feeling good about this. It's a HARD language too. Are there any programmers out there that can commiserate with me? I'm supposed to be learning JAVA.
PYRIA: Knowing I would have to admit to you that I went over kept me inline tonight!! Thanks for your support. Glad to hear that your dentist visit went well. Hope you don't have to go again.
Lauren: Hope you get the offer you want. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!!
RR: Lice? Ugh!! My first internship was in pediatrics as a home therapist. I rode with my supervisor for TWO days before she told me she had lice!! I just rinsed my hair in vinegar for a week and I never got it, thank goodness!! Good Luck!!
OK, I'm tired and I can't keep it straight. But, whoever is quitting smoking......Good Luck!!
Gotta go to bed now, I'm exhausted. Gotta love homework that takes up your whole Wednesday nite!! ( even took my book to the restaurant with me!!)
Karen- Don't worry if you go over. I was off one day since April 8th and it is okay with me. The important thing was it was 1 day not 1 week or 1 month. And I did not sit and beat myself up over it. And I am sure another day like that is coming somewhere down the line. I figure if I am going to lose this weight and keep it off. Then I have to change my life---Not DIET till I get there and go back to my old ways.
I am very proud of you! Yes checking in with you daily keeps me in line. Plus buying a swimsuit helps now too!! I know this can be done, just a day at a time!
Today is bring your kid to work day. So B is coming with me for a 1/2 a day. They are having pizza for lunch. Got my points book ready to travel. I do wish they would make them more purse size though. Cause it is a pain taking the whole book. I supose I could make my own sheet. You know I think I will. That way I can have a few of my favorites in my wallet at all times.
Have a wonderful Thursday!! See you tonight. IF anyone wants to see me and B send me your email addy through PM and I will send you the picture I am scanning!!
Went to WW on Tuesday, and have decided our leader is nuts (actually I knew this a long time ago), she had us close our eyes and picture ourselves naked then draw a picture. Then we're supposed to think over the week on who we are ("I am ____ " fill in the blank). The idea is to replace the thought "I am fat", and to improve our self esteem.
Anyway I ramble. I stayed the same, which is good since the visit by AF had me eating anything that wasn't nailed down last week. But I will improve this week. Yesterday, I didn't get in any exercise, per se, but I went behind the garage to clean out the area so that I can build a garden box, and obviously it was exercise, since man am I sore today!!! Now I just have to dig up a "flower" area (and I use that term loosely) so that I can build a flower box there. Then build the boxes and fill them. Then I'm finished for this year so that I'm not totally overwelmed.
Rabbit - Welcome back.
Pyria - Glad your dental experience went well.
LBH - I think the price of dry cleaning varies by area. When I had to wear corperate wear, I bought blazers that were dry cleaned and did them about once a month, and had wash and wear skirts/pants and blouses. It worked pretty well for me. Hope you hear what you want.
RR - Sorry to hear about the sick kid. Hope she's better soon and you don't catch anything. Is Refman a ChemEng? I know you said he went to MTU, just curious.
KarenK - Hope school gets better for you. Glad you had the points saved to splurge .
Baily - the clam cakes sound great. Pardon my ignorance, but do they taste anything like crab cakes? I ate so many on our honeymoon we joked that I was going to turn into a crab .
Nanci - I enjoyed the "Sisterhood" book too. I think the movies due out this summer, but I'm not sure when.
Well I should probably go get moving. I'm putting a dent in my "Slovenly Lady" membership and cleaning out the kitchen. I can see the counters and the stove/oven is clean, and today I'm planning on washing the refridge (it's been a while since I went grocery shopping so it's pretty empty). It's pretty scary .
Tech-Yes, he is a ChemE....He loves it and I think I am safe with him being here since this is Chemical country!!!
Lyssa-Do anything FUN in Houston???I hope not, since I am here in La!!!! Just kidding, it was a day trip only and he got home last night at 10pm....
Well, off to get things ready for settling in tonight...I have to have supper ready cuz the Redwings are on at 6pm!!!!
#2 is still sick, she has something called viral gingivostomatitis and had blisters all in her mouth and tongue..It will last 10-14 days and they run high fevers. Her weight had dropped to 35lbs from 39 soo if I cant get her eating and drinking, they will hospitalize her for fluids...
have a good evening!!!!
RR
Well, AF seems to be doing better today. Yesterday was a little scarry, but I am hoping Bailey is right, and exercise will help in the long run. I feel so good about myself for exercising. Three days in a row! It is the most I have excercised since p.e. in Jr. High School. Now, I am going for three weeks of 5 days in a row. I can't wait to see how this will affect the shape of my body. Maybe I will join Elisa in being hot!!!!
RR - Next time come with him, and we could meet! I wished I was going to Lousiana in two weeks, my brother is graduating from Seminary on May 18th, but dh doesn't think our vehicle would make it to and from Slidell where he lives. Oh well, I will survive. I am so sorry about sd#2 sounds like no fun!!! I hope she will get to feeling better soon!!!
Tech - I wished I was organiclly inclined. I have never grown anything successfully. I am sure your flower boxes will look great, and it is exercise. Good luck with food.
Pryia - My daughters had to miss going to work with their dad this year, because he was out of the office for training. Did B have fun? Don't curse yourself by predicting you will have a day over point. Stay positive, but take the less than positive days in stride. I have always been taught that the more you focus on doing right, the less you will do wrong. Does that make any sense? You are doing good, and I predict you will continue doing well.
Karen - "Accentuate the positive, Eliminate the negative, and don't mess with mr. in-between." "Just pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again" Keep your goal in site, and run towards it. (Am I corny or what? But I really mean it!!!)
DH is getting ready to take Visual Basic 2 again. He took the first part of it, but didn't pay attention, so VB 2 was more than he could handle, and he had to drop out, and start all over. I know learning code is difficult, and when you have a teacher who isn't much help (as both of dh's VB professors were) it is doubly hard. At least your husband will be able to help you, that is a plus. (I can't help dh with anything)
Nanci - Ya Ya Sisterhood? I guess that is better than a Yo-Yo Sisterhood! (sorry, I couldn't help making the joke, it is a bad trait I have!)
Bailey - Wow, on the clam cakes! With out frying it would be 104 calories with 1 gram of fat. The flour is what drives up the calorie content. If you replaced the egg with egg white, it would be 99 calories, and less than 1 gram of fat. (diet site.com actually said 0 grams of fat, but the clams do add a small amount) Let us know how they are baked!!! I just checked, and if you use one cup of canned crabmeat, it is 97 calories each!!! And if you make it with 1 c. flour, and 1 c. bread crumbs, it makes it 94 calories (with the crabmeat).
I only drink one can a day of Diet Dr. Thunder (Walmart's version of diet Dr. Pepper), but the coffee is another story, 1 16 oz. every morning. My mom lovingly calls me her drug addicted daughter.
Funny story from my mom: A friend of hers said that she needed coffee, and my mom made some comment about her being addicted to drugs, the girl said, "I've tried drugs, I need coffee". I thought it was funny anway. (Yes, I mean girl, my mom is in college, and it was a young girl who said it.)
I don't appologize for my book! I have so much to say to you all, that you should be grateful it isn't longer!!! Just kidding.
First of, although I am a wonderful person, I SUCK in some ways. MUST FINISH COVER LETTER!
Got through Monday on 17 cigarettes, Tuesday 17, Wendesday 16. Today I am going for 15 and I have 4 left. It is 10:30. Guess I will have to go to sleep by 1!
I DID IT!!! I jogged a full mile in 11:21. I did it on the treadmill. I have heard (but don't believe) that it is easier to run on the treadmill than on the road. Does anyone have 2 cents about this? Anyway - it was tough enough and I did it! Yeay.
I made the crab dough into "crab brownies" (i.e., baked in brownie pan - I am sure these pans have another name, but to me they will always be brownie pans ). They came out pretty good but a little bland. If you make them, you may want to use more seasoning. I put cocktail sauce on mine. Yummy.
Another recipe for ya:
Preheat oven to 350. Get out 4 eggs worth of egg beaters (they may have to be kind of old, I don't know). Beat those suckers for about 1/2 hour. When they are still not stiff, read egg beater box and see that they are not recommended for meringues. DO NOT BE DETERRED BY THIS WARNING! Go on ahead and add 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1 t vanilla and 1/2 t salt. Mix well. "Fold" in 1 c chocolate chips (although folding into liquid is not as easy as it might sound). Look at batter, look at spoon, look at cookie sheet, look back at batter. Put spoon and cookie sheet away and pour into brownie pan. Turn oven off as if you were making meringue cookies. Come back in several hours and cut through thin brown crust on top. You will likely notice that you now have a layer of "meringue", a layer of melted chocolate chips, and a layer of some type of raw egg mixture. Do not be deterred! Turn oven back and cook until edges burn. Remove from oven. Make holes at all corners and pour off remaining raw egg. Eat from pan with spoon - strange but oddly good!
Unfortunately, I do not think this is a low-point snack. (Plus, it is such a perfect mixture of sweet, salty and chocolate, I can not walk by the pan without taking a bite!)
Nanci: I was wondering how you cut down so quickly! Right now, I am doing ok with my "cutting down" system, but I think that I will always need at LEAST 5: 1 on the way to work, 1 at lunch, 1 on the way home, 1 after dinner, 1 before bed. We'll see... Maybe we could go to betty ford together? What kind of dance classes? Sounds fun.
Karen: Keep up the good work with the food! Best of luck on JAVA. The only thing I know about it is that I know NOTHING about it!
Pryia: You are doing great. Hope you guys had fun today - I went to work with my daddy too
Tech: LOL - did you have to trade pictures afterward? Put them all up front and rate them for artistic tallent? Great job maintaining - Gardening IS exercise! I am not sure if it is just my cooking or clam cakes in general, but if given the choice, I would stick to crab cakes! GL with the kitchen.
RR: Enjoy the redwings. Will keep SD2 in my thoughts.
Lyssa: Gald AF is backing down - GREAT JOB on the exercise - I was cracking up reading your crab cake analysis - very informative. I am not a coffee fan. I would not say that coffee is a "drug", nor do I necessarily have a lot of problem with some "drugs", but I will say that I know a lot of coffee drinkers who demonstrate addictive behaviors. Hide that stuff on the family vacation, it is just like being right back on the adolescent detox unit (as an employee, of course).
Rabbit: Enjoy the new clothes! Hope WI is not to bad - good for you for going.
The job itself sounds very challenging though. It's working for the Sr. VP of the Construction division and the VP of Business Development and Client Services, which is really Marketing and Sales. Met with HR person, Office Manager and the 2 VPs! Was there from 9-12:30!! 
I am home early from work and taking her to the MD....Dh had to drive to Houston for some meeting at some refinery today ...I have the family to myself!!!!!His big meeting is in Hong Kong next year...Thinks we should go!!!Not sure if a 32 hour flight is part of my plans!!!
I know four kids who could use your help indirectly!!! You could always help those of us around here with kids keep from totally screwing them up for life. I know, that wouldn't help your career advancement. I would love to help kids of divorce understand their life cituations. I think counseling should be required for all children of divorce, to help them cope. 
Wow - how did you cut down from a pack a day to 5 or 6 a day so quick? I'm impressed! The dog is depressed because today is my "day off" from running 
I'm not feeling good about this. It's a HARD language too. Are there any programmers out there that can commiserate with me? I'm supposed to be learning JAVA.
Morning!
