Morning ladies,

Monday. Start of a new week and new beginnings. I am back to basics starting today. That means I need to go back to journalling my food and paying attention to added sugars. When I was being vigilant about that, I was losing more regularly. I'm doing a great job of maintaining but I'm getting lazy about it.

I did get all the trim mowing done yesterday. The heat wasn't too bad because there was a breeze. But then when I was doing the last bit, it seemed to get oppressive all of a sudden. I didn't think I was going to make it back to the house; I was so hot. I flopped on the couch and stayed there for awhile. I didn't even go to the pool for a couple of hours. I was good when I did though and made it about exercise and not just floating like a blob.

I've got my stuff for the fitness center and will do that on the way home tonight. Then I'll ride Spanky for a bit. That's my focus for the week now that I've got that trimming done.

I'm off to get something for breakfast. to all!

Hello chickies, today was my back to basics day too! I know when I really keep track of what I am eating, I lose weight. I think my biggest problem of late, is tasting of what I am cooking, and then not counting it.

Terri, be careful and don't get overheated out there. My DH nearly had a heat stroke a few years ago. He didn't pay attention to how hot he had gotten and kept working. He scared the wits out of me. He was confused and I thought he was kidding at first. He asked me what color his truck was. He would ask me the same thing over and over. I wanted him to go to the hospital, but no way. I finally called his brother to come and convince him to go. Hard headed man!

Today was clean house day again! Or rather clean the den day. It takes me forever in there. Too much stuff to dust. Also, I find the older I get the longer the jobs take. Pity when I get really old. As if! But I am not telling.

We are still getting a lot of tomatoes and peppers out of the garden. Not much else other than okra right now. I love that stuff boiled. I can just hear you saying ewww! LOL! I like it fried too, but that is a no no. We have more peas that should be ready in a week or so. Love those too.

Well, I have a date with a vacuum cleaner, so I will say Ta for now. Ruth PS: Sue I am so sorry you are having to go through all of that.

For those of you who freeze zucchini and squash - how do you do it and how to you use it later on? I am going to have a bumper crop of yellow squash and am thinking about freezing it.

Good Morning!

Terri, I have frozen shredded squash just by sticking it in a bag. I used it for zucchini bread later or soup and it was fine. But generally you are supposed to slice it, blanch it for 3 minutes in boiling water, then cool it in ice water, before freezing. Then you could use it for whatever.

Ruth, You still have peas? I'm impressed! Mine were done producing in early June and I pulled them up.

My garden continues to look terrible. I have a few carrots, the turnips are about kaput, I have one onion that survived and marigolds out my ears! I'll never plant them direct again - at least not without thinning the daylights out of them. My beans are not producing yet and don't really even have any blooms. On the up side, my tomatoes are finally starting to ripen and I have cucumbers coming out of my ears!

My poor hubby is home today, the hottest day of the year so far, and our AC is on the fritz. It is original to the house, and so about 37 years old, so all things considered, it shouldn't come as a surprise! We figured we'd be replacing it today - about $2500 - but shockingly the repairman thinks it can be fixed and it's just something minor. I can't even begin to tell you how impressed I am with Lennox HVAC systems! Our furnace is original to the house too and has only needed minor work. Amazing. Still, the pups are in the neighbors basement and the boys are home sweating. I feel for them and, for a change, am glad to be in the office!

I've been doing okay since my disappointing WI on Saturday. I did go to see Batman and ate an entire tub of buttered popcorn, but I counted it and still have flex points left for the week. Yesterday I just kept eating! All healthy stuff, but it still adds up. But again, I still have flex points left. So anyway, I'm back in the saddle, as it were, with this WW thing and we'll see if starting out high and then tapering off on my eating kick-starts it. When we were so successful before, we had one "no-count" meal a week, at the beginning of the week, and it never hurt a thing. Maybe that's what I need again. I am working hard this time on getting in all my fruits and veggies and trying to keep the refined carbs to a minimum. We'll see.

I have to run. Time to try to get things done here at the office. Later!

Morning Everyone!

I went to bed last night with every intention of getting up this morning and giving my new belly dancing a go (it's the one the was just reviewed by 3FC) and having a good low carb breakfast. There I sat on the edge of my bed, just getting my shoes on when the phone ran. I checked caller I.D. and saw it was work. I wasn't schedule to go in until 12:30 so I answered knowing there was some sort of problem. Well yes there was a problem, one of the main computers went on the fritz. This particular station has to be working so I threw on some clean clothes and went in. The power supply was not working properly so it needs to be replaced. While I wait for the parts, I pulled the defunked PC and put my PC in it's place. Then I find out some priority supplies have run out, so I needed to run down the street to the corner office supply store (I'll count that as exercise). Then I discovered that our secondary computer system which is being upgraded will not be available today as promised. I needed to tie up the loose ends created by the system being down for another day or two. Nothing goes as planned in my job, which is one of the reasons I love it, most of the time. I finally got out of the office and decided to stop by Wal-Mart to see if they had any pants in my size. Luckily they had 1 pair in my size as all of mine. We have a new employee starting today and I wanted to try to look a bit professional and not have baggy, saggy pants, with worn out knees. I spend a fair amount of time crawling around checking cords and cables when needed.

Well I better try to find something to eat and get myself back to work. Just another day in Miz M's world.

Hope everyone is keeping cool and you all have a good start to the week.
Miz M

Hope everyone had a good weekend! I spent most of mine up in the mountains in the Mt. Hood Wilderness area. My pals and I went backpacking up by Ramona Falls -- we hiked in about 5 or 6 miles on Saturday. It was pretty good exercise. I had a very full pack as I was trying a bunch of new toys out -- I think it weighed around 40# full which is a lot! I am also trying to get in condition for a more extended trip in September after I get out of school . The weather was gorgeous -- sunny and not a cloud in the sky. We had great views of Mt. Hood, and a campsite on the side of a creek all to ourselves. We were way off the trail and not a soul was around. It was so warm Sat nite that I slept with the rainfly off the tent -- I wanted to see the stars. Turns out that mosquito netting kind of blurs them and my poor eyesight does the rest . However, the moon was full and there was a lot of wildlife around. We hiked out Sunday morning and went up to Timberline Lodge at around the 8000' level on Mt. Hood. They are still downhill skiing and snowboarding up there! It is probably one of the few places in the country where you see folks in cycling jerseys and shorts in the same parking lot as snowboarders in their gear. Timberline Lodge is quite an impressive sight -- having been built in the late 30's with the CCC. I believe it provided some of the inspiration for "The Shining" by Stephen King, although the movie was filmed at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, CO.

Next weekend, Marie and I take our 13 y/o niece and 5 y/o grandson camping up to the Mt. Hood area. We're leaving on Friday nite and coming back Sunday. I think we will have swimming and hiking on Saturday and go to Timberline and play in the snow on Sunday.

My car, which I crashed 2 days after I bought it , is now fixed and back from the body shop . Now, I can get the trailer hitch put on it and get a bike rack on so that I can take my bike out riding on my own .

Well, back to work! Have a great Monday, everyone!

Lilion, the peas are blackeyed peas, not green or english as they are called. I think it is way too late for those.

Terri, if you cook the squash all the way done and cool it down you can freeze it that way. I only use that kind for casseroles and maybe stir it up with onions in the skillet until it browns. I just grate zucchin and freeze it for the bread. You could probably do that with the yellow squash too. Also good for those patties I told you about...

Gardening? You people are amazing. Im lucky to get my lawn mowed front that is. The back is just dead. I am actually trying to water the front and can you believeit? itd actually turning green!
anyway, i used to hang out here and decide to try and come back. I hate being fat but i cant seem to keep going. I start well and then crash and burn. I leave tomorrow for vecation with friends and i have no controll over hat the food choices are so Im planning to start on tuesday and try 1 day/ bite at a time.

Annie!

We're kind of slow on the 40+ board, so don't feel like we are snubbing you if you post and it takes a bit to get a reply. We're happy to see you back!

Hi ladies,

Just a quick post. I have a two-hour interview with the CFO this morning at 9:45. I spent two days freaking out about what can we talk about and then regained my senses after talking to an external recruiter. He gave me some wonderful advice and I'm in much better shape for this than yesterday.

Oh, and our A/C quit on Monday night. We have a home warranty and called them yesterday morning. The approved repair place didn't bother to call yesterday. This time its the A/C that isn't working. The past problems have been with the fan. He's calling United Heating & Cooling this morning. United is the one last summer that came out on a Friday night at midnight to keep me from dying in the heat when this other place wasn't going to make it for another four days. Of course, its going to be 95 degrees this weekend.

to all!

Hi all from (today it's) Sunny Portland, Oregon! Past couple of days have been overcast and about 65 degrees -- much preferred to 95degrees/95% humidity some of you midwest gals have -- but it is nice to see the sun again .

Our new owner is making themselves felt at work (my 1B$/yr publicly traded company was purchased last year by a 14B$/yr publicly traded company). Things are quite tense around here -- a lot of change happening and a lot of pressure being exerted. So far, I have not been too affected, but it is a little crazy.

Got a call last nite from my dad -- my mom (who lives in an adult foster care home in Northern CA) was taken to the hospital last night by ambulance. Turns out that she was dehydrated. She is quite frail these days -- she had lost > 30# in a few months and is literally skin and bones now. It is strange to see your mom, who was always overweight, unrecognizably thin. She's been dealing with Parkinson's disease for the past 15 years or so -- and in the past year, it has really affected her mind -- she still knows who we are, but not necessarily where she is or what is going on. She and I were able to make our peace several years ago which is a real blessing.

This weekend is camping with kids up at Mt. Hood. It should be fun .

Terri -- Hope the interview went ok. It sounds like you are competing with a collegue for the same job and the one who doesn't get it has to leave? That must be awfully stressful -- not just during the interview! Hope your AC got fixed!

Annie -- Welcome and you're right it is just one bite/one day at a time. One of my recent messages to myself is "I can always start over, starting now." In other words, one mistake does not mean I have to "throw it all away" and give up.

Miz M -- Sounds like your job keeps you busy! That's cool that you found some new pants at WalMart. I was doing the "corporate look", but since regaining the weight I lost (which I am now losing again) and deciding that I am not so interested in climbing the corporate ladder here, I've gone back to the blue jean and tennis shoe look .

Lilion -- AC problems for you too -- yuck -- hope they got fixed! I like having a cheat meal or cheat day -- it seems more manageable long term. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you are staying smoke-free .

Ruth -- A hot date with a vacuum cleaner, huh? Good for you for getting the house in order! I need to take your example!

Sue -- I'm sorry to hear that you're having all those problems. I hope you are feeling better and that the meds are clearing things up.

Well, off to write the last performance review for my group for the year. Have a good weekend all!

Hi ladies,

Whew, I've made it to Friday. OMG, what a week.

Finally got A/C going yesterday. They did a quick repair but who knows how long that will last. I'm hoping through August and then it can die its final death. About time for a new one anyway - on the home warranty company preferably!

The two hour interview turned into three hours. Remember all that negative crap I had to deal with my recently former boss? Turns out he has spread his thoughts far and wide. At least I was able to explain to my potential new boss that I had no idea that he felt the way he did and that he never gave me any feedback or opportunity. Also was able to explain that the way he delivered my review was to flip it across a desk and say, it is what it is. She also hadn't known that I hadn't signed my review either. She seemed somewhat shocked. At least I was able to clear the air. Today I have two more interviews, one on Monday and one on Thursday. It has been horrendous on the mental outlook. I talked with a recruiter at an agency last night and he was able to shed light that this is how Corporate America does it now to protect themselves against lawsuits. It all stems from the lack of trust we have now that we have been through so much turmoil the last several years; and knowing that your boss was doing nothing to support us but rather making himself look good at our own expense. So, in light of all that, I am doing my best to recognize paranoia as what it is and relaxing. It may be another two-three weeks before I have a final answer. Sure is hard on the healthy living though.

Elmay - Yes, there are four managers applying for three positions. I applied for two. I am more than qualified for both. Which really should make me feel confidant but there's that trust thing again.... I should come up and go hiking with you this weekend to get away from it all! Wish I could.

Annie - Welcome and enjoy your vacation. One day at a time!

Lilion - Good luck with your WI tomorrow morning!!

Thanks to all the squash tips. I will be working on that this weekend.

Well, I better get busy since I'm leaving early today for a hair appointment.

to all!

Hey everyone! I've been kind of MIA, more so than usual at least, sorry.

I actually did my WI at lunch today. I was mostly OP - ate MORE actually and used a few of my flex points this week - and lost 1.8 lbs - a total of about 3.6 total so far. I'm pleased with this weeks loss, but wish the overall in 4 weeks would be better. At averaging less than 1 lb a week, it just takes so long! I admit it - I'm an instant gratification girl.

This weekend I'm headed to St. Louis for a night at the casino with my hubby and a day at Six Flags and Hurricane Harbor with hubby and son. Food choices are expected to be limited, but I'll do my best.

Terri, glad you got your AC fixed and the interview sounds...interesting? I don't know whether being shocked the old boss was a butt-head is a good thing or not, but I don't see how it could be bad. I'm thinking good thoughts : and hope your job situation fixes itself soon.

Got to run.....