Morning ladies,

Sorry for being AWOL for a few days. I was at a "Women & Horses Expo" with my sister this weekend. It was a lot of fun. Its been a while since she and I have had a weekend with just the two of us. And add horses to it and it couldn't have been much better. I got home later last night than I had originally expected but it was still before dark. There were clinicians there giving training advice, parades of breeds, and drill teams. The youth drill team was amazing to watch because the girls were riding horses that were either mustangs, rescused from the slaughter buyer at the sale barn, or rescues from abused situations. It was great to see what that was doing for the girl's self esteem too. Then there was the Royal Freisians of Kansas City that rode as a drill team in their knight's wear. Just absolutely stunning.

I probably will be AWOL a lot over the next two weeks. Two weeks from today, I wll be taking the Auditing section of the CPA exam. This is crunch time on the studying for me. I may even be giving up my gym time in order to work, take care of animals, occassionally speak to DH, study, study, study some more, and sleep. I'm having trouble remembering what I study. The material isn't hard since I have had so many years of experience; its the brain's accepting of the material that is the issue.


I better get moving since its Monday and work calls.

to all!

Terri -- Good luck on the studying!

I may see some light on the horizon. I might not have to grade tonight!!

Happy Monday everyone!
I managed to get outside this weekend (1st time in a few weeks) -- I went on a 7 mile hike to Larch Mountain -- along the Columbia river. The weather was great -- not too hot, but sunny and clear -- and the fall leaves were quite pretty.

Last week, I managed to run for 90 seconds a couple of times during my workout -- I don't know how long it will take me to get up to running for 20 minutes, but that's what I'm working towards. I arranged to work with a trainer here at the fitness center -- we have our first workout today.

Work is still a bit meh these days. Rumors of layoffs are swirling in the air along with the fall leaves -- not fun .

Hope everyone has an OP week!

Hey Gals -
Just a quick hello before I head off to bed. It was a tough night with DH, youngest son, and I all up sick. Thankfully our oldest son has managed not to get it yet. I felt like a truck ran me over today, but I stayed tough and got in my training session. We shortened it a bit and cut out a couple things, but I was proud of myself for doing it. I haven't eaten much of anything today, but I'm staying hydrated.

I'm trying to stay awake to watch the hopefully last game of the World Series!

Sweet Dreams!

I'm 48, and trying to get back in shape. Lifting at least 3 days a week, and walking every day (I hope). Barb, hope you're feeling better.

Hi Radar - Welcome!

I'm on the way to get in my cardio workout. I'll pop back in later. I am feeling a lot better than yesterday...thank you.

See ya in a bit.

So sorry to hear you and your son were sick, Barb. Hope you guys are up and around soon. I go for a mammogram tomorrow so I will be weighing in then instead of today, as I didn't want to waste the gas going two days in a row(I weigh at the doc's office). I'm probably up(at least I feel like it, I'm all bloated and UGH! feeling) as I'm getting close to my TOM, but will see.

Have a great night everyone

Hello everyone, How are you?

Barb, Hope you and your son are feeling much better today.

Nothing much going on around here to write about. I am still trying to figure out the best plan of eating, to stay out of trouble with all the things going one with me, and still lose weight! That is taking some trial and error. Good thing I like chicken! Cluck, cluck.

Terri, good luck! Ace those tests!

Lilion???? What are you up to?

bigmomma, Ouchie, hope your trip to the Drs. is painless. Good luck with the weigh in.

Heather, should I throw out the life line yet?

Elmay, I hope you don't get caught in the layoffs. Bad time of year for people to lose jobs, as if any time is!

Radar, welcome! Come and join us daily, err, well, that is almost daily for me. (not even close. )

Well, that is about all I have for this morning. Ruth

Morning ladies,

Just a quick note as I'm working from home today. DH has an appointment with a neurosurgeon this afternoon. His new doctor thinks the significant deterioration in his ability to use his legs is not caused by diabetes but rather degeneration in his spine which is pressing against nerves. Her opinion is that his sugar has not been so out of control that would cause this significant change over the years. She thinks there is something else. DH is hopeful but I'm afraid to be as we've done this before with a doctor saying to see the surgeon and the surgeon says they can't do anything.

Studying is progressing. It would help if my allergies weren't so bad that I can barely focus my eyes.

Exercise is zilch and food is starting to slip. I can't let that totally derail me.

to all!

Hi Ladies!

Just a super quick Hello! All is good....YAY PHILLIES!!!

Exercise is great, food is great, emotionals are always a roller coaster.

Tomorrow should be a good weigh-in for me. I don't want to jinx myself...

More later!

Hey Girlies
What's everyone up to? It's so quiet around here. *chirp*chirp*

I had a great cardio session at the gym tonight. It was the first night this week I really felt 100% and got my heart rate up there. I also did abs and a good stretching session. I'm having my evening snack of an apple w/ PB. Yum.

I am going to spend a lil time with DH.

Talk to you tomorrow.

HI all!

I had a couple of days off from grading, but I'm fighting off a cold... ah well.

No Halloween candy in our house and we're going to the gym tonight before dinner. I need to get back on track and prioritize my HEALTH again. My pants are quickly tightening!

Good Morning!

Heather - Feel better!

I'm thrilled to report that I've reached my current mini-goal of 50 pounds!! I'm down 3.4 pounds this week bringing my total to 51.4 pounds lost forever!!! My next mini goal is to hit 275...that will be my lowest weight in nearly 14 years!!!!

I just did the Halloween treat shopping this morning. I didn't buy any of my favorite treats. Nothing will get opened until trick-or-treat time. Both DH and I want to take our boys out in the neighborhood so I'm not really sure how we are going to do both. We'll figure out something.

Time for me to work...

Good morning ladies,

Where the heck is everyone? I'm still trying to keep focused on just getting to and from work, work, and studying without screaming at anyone in between. I feel those moments of incredible tenseness creeping up on me as it feels like I can't remember anything. Which I think means I need to allocate at least 30 minutes to doing some spinning at home to clear my mind each night. Plus, I should work this in and not let myself get derailed by other things that happen in life. Right?


for Barb! You are just killing that scale! I am so happy and in awe of what you have accomplished and your total commitment.

Back to the books. Have a great weekend!

Oh, gas last night was a $1.97 a gallon. It better stay that way for a while and not just be jacking with us and zoom back up to $4 a gallon as soon as the election is over.