Hi Rosey,

I am SO HAPPY for you. We will be here for you and anxious to hear about your progress.

Lynn

I am computing by candlelight. Lost electricity about an hour ago. Lost my modem, but remembered that I have an air card. So, between that and my battery-powered laptop, I can amuse myself for an hour or so - length of time my battery should last.

When we lose electric, we also lose heat. However, my neighbor has a fireplace in the living room of her condo, so I can sleep on her floor if I get cold.

Take care,

Lynn

OMG Lynn! Stay safe and warm!! Keep us updated when you can.

Thanks Karen,

It's back already - just out for 3 hours - not enough time to get cold - just bored.

When it came back on, I was SO HAPPY!! Life is back to normal.

This made me think about the poor folks in Haiti. Life must be just horrible for them.

Lynn

Well, it stopped snowing. Now we've just got to figure out how to drive through the mess that's left behind. I think I need to wait one more day before I try to get to the gym - maybe later today.

Yesterday I did the 2 mile Leslie Sansone DVD. If I can't get to the gym, today I'll try the 3 mile one. Got to do something to get rid of this 6 lbs I've gained since Thanksgiving.

Lynn

Hi Linda,
I am reading a book - Swan Thieves - about artists. A recommendation by the art teacher character is to make 100 drawings a day! You might enjoy this book - it is a novel, but goes into a lot of detail about painting, drawing, and art works.

Hi Donna,
The young girl in my Avatar is my great-niece. I have 6 great-nieces and nephews (my sister's grandchildren) and she is my favorite. My DH used to call her "mini-Lynn." Same horoscope sign, same red-hair (as I used to have), she's even going to college to become a teacher.

It's strange how a day can go from great to bad. I had a nagging but slight headache yesterday but woke up feeling great. I did a few crunches, squats and counter push-ups when I got up this morning and then went for my walk. Now, I can barely stand straight. My lower back muscles are in a spasm and I'm not sure what's causing it (maybe chopping wood after the walk?) but I won't be able to practice the fitness test today. Took a couple of Ibuprofen and going to take a hot soak in the tub later on. OK, Bobbi, I need a boyfriend name for that ailment.

I don't know where I am with personals but this is what I can remember.

Zoe, it's funny how our tastes change. DH just told me the dry cereal he had this morning was way too sweet. We've been eating oatmeal for months and today he wanted Honey Bunches of Oats with the strawberries. He never puts sugar in the oatmeal and usually has it with a sliced banana. Well, he found quite a difference. I'm even finding my oatmeal sweet (and I like that) with the dates and mashed banana that I mix in.

Lynn, congratulations to your daughter on winning the photography contest. Quite an interesting picture of the baby bird. I've got to go check out that couscous recipe. I think I have couscous in the cupboard. Glad your electricity came back on. It might have been a rough night on your neighbor's floor, albeit a warm rough night. And BTW, even though your new avatar is small I can still see those desserts. I zoomed right in on them.

Lovely, sketch, Linda. When I taught Grade 1 we'd do a class newspaper article every morning. It would be a group activity, composing and spelling and editing the piece of writing. Then I'd draw a picture to illustrate the story and the kids would suggest an appropriate caption. The kids always complimented me on my "art" and thought I was a very famous artist. You, my dear, are leagues ahead of me in the art department. The Grade 1 students would have been gob-smacked with your talent. Are you taking lessons?

Rosey, hope everything goes well with your first appointment. I know it's more than a month from now but time will fly.

A big wave to everyone else, Donna, Giovanna, Releve, Georgia, Karen, and I'm sure I've probably missed someone.

Catch you all later and hope your day is less spasmy than mine.

Oh, yes, Lazy Girl walked with Leslie today, but not yesterday. Yesterday was a weird day. We were bracing for the snowstorm that was supposed to come this far north, but it never quite materialized, except for maybe an inch or two. Even that didn't stick to anything, and the roads stayed clear for the most part. But I had meetings first thing in the morning at work, and was racing around in the morning (slept late for some reason) trying to get ready - didn't bring any lunch because I was so SURE that I'd be leaving work BEFORE lunch because of the storm...and didn't leave until 2:30, at which point I was famished, which is a dangerous condition for me to be in. Got home with no trouble - kept expecting to drive into blizzard conditions, but all the snow did was meander on down, one lone flake at a time whirling around in what little wind we had so that by the time it hit the ground all it did was make a little wet spot. No, I'm most definitely not complaining, but it just felt a little surreal - all those snow plows at the ready beside the road, the sense of urgency everyone was feeling, and then, the anticlimax of it all. But, aside from unpredictable weather, I have had an unpredictable appetite this week, which most times, I've been able to ignore, but at other times, it's been quite insistent, and I've eaten a bit more than I'd like to admit (but if I don't admit it here, then where?) Mostly healthy things, but more than I normally would have. So this week, despite walking with Leslie, is feeling like a bust to me, and I doubt that I'll weigh myself this Saturday. If I've gained more than last week's half pound, I'm afraid I'll be depressed and frustrated and use it as an excuse to give up - if only temporarily - and I don't want to do that. SO, I intend to do better. And I will. Grrrrrrrr. (Psychic Twin, I could use an extra pound or two lost in my name, y'know... )
Lynn, I don't know how you can stand all that stinking snow! (Well, I suppose planning a trip to Italy helps, yes?) We haven't been able to take any *real* vacation since the twins were born - omigosh - almost a year ago, now! They'll be a year old next month! Time sure does fly. And then my DD's illness and period of recovery. I'm hopeful that we'll be able to get away somewhere for a couple of weeks this year - and leave my other vacay weeks for family plans. Time will tell on that one.
I like your sketch, Linda, and yes, it's a good idea to commit to one a day. I wish I could commit to a page a day on the book that I keep saying I'm going to write, but it's been at 150 pages for about 6 months now, and every time I go back and re-read it in order to move ahead with it, I end up re-reading and then closing up the document because re-reading has taken up all the spare time that I had.
G'morning Bobbi dear, and Karen and Isabella and Freda and Rosey, Giovanna, Georgia...<looking around>..

Z

Busy morning. Got my BLS out of the way for the next 2 years, TYG!!! It was a royal pain this year. They change things all the time. I get used to one thing and they change it! I am not good with change. Old age? Got the grocery shopping done afterwards, so the rest of the evening is free. It has snowed a bit this morning, but nothing to stick to what we already have.

Lynn, Glad to hear that your electrical loss was for such a short time. It's bad at any time, but especially when it's 0 out. Our last long outage was in the summer time, and I complained because of lack of air conditioning. Not quite the same as heat. We do have a fire plave and lots of wood so at least we would be ok. And my stove is gas. AND I have several oil lamps and lots of candles. Be prepared. I can see why your daughter won the prize too. That was one ugly bird.

Z, I can't believe the babies are almost 1. I'm not sure I will have enough time accumulated to take a vacation this year. I had to use all mine up while I was off with my broken foot. Maybe I can arrange something, get someone to cover me . HOPE, HOPE....are you planning what you will do with yours?

Rosey, I am so happy for you. I know this is something you have been wanting for some time. And a month goes by quickly.

Isabella, I can surely symphatize with you, for the sore aching back. My back has been hurting all morning and I couldn't figure out why. Finally realized that it was doing the CPR. A heating pad sounds just like the right thing for awhile.

Giovonna, Sorry to hear about all the stress you've had lately. When that happens we do tend to want to comfort ourselves. And food is one of my great conforters. Sometimes we just have to ride out the hard times and make a plan to do different on a certaint date.

Hi Karen, I don't blame your doggies for not liking company. They are used to getting all the attention and don't want to share it.

Linda, Love your drawing. I always admire talent,since I have none. I draw stick people.

Revele, I think we've all lost a post or two. Very frustrating.

Bobbi, I think you mentioned the carpenters were supposed to be finished today. I hope that is ture and you're at home cleaning up right now.

Freda

I wish I was cleaning up, carpenters are gone. The two guys that will be tiling the shower dropped off there stuff today, evened up the shower floor with some gunk that gave me a terrible headache. Tomorrow they'll be back to do the shower walls. Then the plumber has to come back and put the toilet back in and put faucets and shower head in. Then we have to have the cabinet maker come back and install that. What a circus! We should have finished one project at a time instead of doing the whole basement. The one bedroom downstairs looks fantastic with the cedar closet and cedar ceiling. Smells good, Bruce started staining the new closet doors and trim today. Next he'll paint the walls and that will be done with the bedroom. The length of the basement we put in a Birch wall, that will just have a sealer on it, the other three walls will have to be painted, the trim stained. Whew! We still have a lot of work to do, it'll probably be a good month before we're done. I just put a bed sheet up over the entrance to the basement, the smell is really making me sick, bad migraine coming on. You probably won't be hearing much from me, I scan the new posts and that's about it.

Hello everyone! Sure hope everyone is staying safe and warm. We still don't have any snow here but it isn't very warn yet.

I've tried so hard to stay on the crack the fat loss code diet--- but I just don't think I am going to be able to do it much longer. I really think I am going to have to go back to good old calorie counting. I did lose the 13 pounds but today has been horrible--- I've wanted everything that I'm not supposed to have! So I will just have to do calorie counting and move more!

So far "no one" has mentioned anything about birthday/valentine plans. But I think if nothing else comes about I want to just go to Red Lobster and have dinner. I THINK! I like mexican food too but for some reason Red Lobster just sounds really good!!

Rosey, I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers and be sure and keep us updated. I know we would love to follow your progress here.

Hello Zoe, Bobbi, Lynn, Isabella, Giovana and all who I might have missed. Everyone have a great evening and I will try to get caught up sooner or later.

Hi Everyone,

This is yesterday's post. Just sending this morning. Still trying to keep
up

I don't know why I didn't think of Notepad as a way to keep up with you all.
I'm on track now though. I've managed to stay on plan and proud to say I didn't ditch my exercise. I dragged my butt out of bed and plugged in Ellen Barrett's Fat Burning Fusion (Pilates/Yoga blend).
Today was so tempting though. It's cold, dreary, raining. The perfect day to curl up with a good book and snack non-stop. It was almost irresistable, but I think what saved me was that it was my day to sit with my granddaughter. She's 6 mos. old now and I've been sitting for her on Tues. and Thurs. No time to sit around with a 6mos old learning to crawl!

Jess: I'm sorry you are feeling pain in your hips. You do say every day is better though, so that must be a good sign! You go girl! Congratulations on another pound lost.

Bobbi: I know where you're coming from with the renovation. My parents (in their 70's!) did a whole house reno a couple of years ago. It was the year from ****. I love the idea of a cedar closet. I hope you were able to curb your migraine before it got too bad.

Ella: I'm like you in that I tend to avoid the scale if I feel like there
might be a gain. All I want to see is positive feedback, LOL.

Isabella: I sure hope your back is better this morning. I can't believe you
chop your own wood! WOW!

Lynn: I'm going to look for Swan Thieves at the library. I'm a voracious reader and DH has me on a strict budget. He said I was reading us out of house and home, LOL. Thanks for posting the 10 ideas for keeping on track!

Rosey: I hope everything goes your way with plans for surgery!

Linda: Congrats on losing 10lbs! Thanks for sharing your sketch. I'm looking
forward to seeing more of them.

Giovanna: Welcome back! Sorry to hear of the troubles with your family. I hope you can get a little relief from all the stress soon.

Ta Ta For Now,
Cindy

Good morning, Everyone,
Going to scrapping today. Navigating around the snowdrifts to get there. Check back later.
Lynn

Hi Linda,
I weigh myself at least 2 times every day. As long as you realize your weight fluctuates & you don’t let the numbers discourage you, doesn’t really matter. The important thing is the trend line. If you use one of the software programs like FitDay or DietPower, you get that trend line along with a record of your weight and nutrition.

Hi Isabella,
So sorry you are hurting. Hope you feel better soon. Leave that wood alone!
Those desserts are absolutely calorie-free (NOT) – oops, you caught me. I thought they were too little to see.
Hi Donna,
No – she’s in her senior year of college – no trips for her until she becomes a teacher & has off in the summer. We’ll go to Europe then.

Hi Zoe,
This has been a VERY strange winter. First time in my memory that we have more snow than you! I’m with you in the appetite department. But, I’ve been blaming it on the snow. Maybe it’s just something in the stars. Unfortunately, I know exactly how much damage I’ve done. Planning to change things today. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Hi Freda,
Congratulations on your BLS victory! I used to teach a course for ed administrators about managing Change. VERY few folks are good with change – young or old.
About drawing – I used to teach ESL to folks from other countries. Many times, I needed to resort to drawing to get ideas across. My drawings were so bad, that students were OFTEN reduced to hysterical laughing!
Hi Bobbi,
Pretty soon, you'll forget about the turmoil & just be able to appreciate your beautiful newly renovated rooms. Enjoy!
Hi Karen,
My hat is off to you for sticking to that diet for as long as you have. I quit after the first week & gained back the 5 lbs I lost while I was on it + 2 more lbs! I just can’t do the VERY low-carb diets anymore.

13 lbs loss!!!!!!!!!! DoInG tHe HaPpY dAnCe for you.