The weather is still fabulous. Yesterday the humidity broke and it was a delightful day. Gosh, I never dreamed I'd be talking about humidity in March! Miz Lacee gets awfully hot because she still has her winter coat, and is shedding like crazy. She is very happy here.

I have been doing a lot of clothes shopping while down here. I am short, and the stores have great petite sections. I've bought a lot of shorts. All the shorts have elastic waists, and I was able to get all size M instead of L. I bought 3 blouses too, and I went from an XL to a L.

judi, Do you eat eggs or egg substitute? If so, put some egg in your next salad along with other types of protein that you eat. Add some nuts to your salad and try some full fat salad dressing, that might help keep you full. Another thing that helps me in the morning, is having about 1/2 cup more milk on my cereal, for some reason that extra milk really stays with me. I bet Marley looks very handsome with his new "do" Yes, DH & I have a great relationship. I really helps being married to your "best friend". We plan on arriving home on March 18th or thereabouts. We plan on making another stop on the way home for a couple of days. You really got a great bargain on your pants. I bet they look great too.

ledom, it sounds like you were very busy over the weekend. It makes you feel good when you get so much accomplished. Good for you for getting your workout done and getting back on the dieting bandwagon.

Hi Cheryl, how is WW going for you? Hope everything is going well for you.

Take care.

Hey ladies!!

Hope that all is well with y'all! At my TOPS weigh-in last night I was down another 1 3/4 pound. Yea!!

The weather here is finally nice. No rain, and sunshine. One of my co-workers and I went to the park yesterday after work and walked a mile--it was wonderful. Of course, rain is in the forecast for, I think, Wednesday, so we have to enjoy it while we can!

For the last few days, I've been trying to find a hotel/motel with reasonable prices to stay in while in RI. Ugh. I never know what a good price is--there's always a better deal than the one I get.... I think that instead of staying all three nights in RI, I'm just gonna stay there the first night and the last night and stay further north in the middle, that way I'll be able to see more of New England.

Cheryl

Alice, that is wonderful about the size smallers!!! Doesn't that make you feel good, it makes me feel fantastic always. I do eat mostly egg substitute and sometimes egg. That is a good idea about the nuts, I love salads with nuts in them and I always forget to put nuts in when I am making one at home. I do put sunflower seeds in coleslaw along with raisins. Today I had some mandarin/almond yougurt with muesili in it. It was yummy.

Last night we went out and I had two glasses of wine, my last before lent, I wonder how that will be. I have always wondered if I could go any length of time without wine drinking. I will let you know how that goes. Tonight we are going to RCIA classes and out for sushi, that is very low point.

My DH wants me to go on the Ca. trip this month He is trying to entice me with going down the Oregon coast for part of the trip. I might. I have been missing my US grocery shopping.

Cheryl, there are a lot of nice B&B's in RI.

Good for you on doing some of your spring cleaning, Ledom. I did a bit in the form of chucking out/giving away make up and jewellery that I don't use. I am not a hoarder even though I always have a lot of stuff. I like things to FLOW thru my life. My DH is the family hoarder and pack rat.

I went for a walk around the lake yesterday. I saw five Canada geese land on the lake at the same time. It was so cool. A real sign of spring and my daffodils are about to bloom. Today's walk will have to be from the Sushi place to the church, I am feeling a bit stiff from yesterdays effort.

Are you BFL girls lifting weights?

We are still having fantastic weather. It's still in the mid to high 80's and it looks like it will continue for the rest of the week. I am not sick of the weather yet. DH has said the heat is starting to get to him...the wimp

judi, the nuts and raisins in coleslaw sounds delicious. Occasionally I put raisins and nuts in salads. Your yogurt does sound yummy. It did make me feel good to be able to fit into smaller clothes. I only hope they fit me by the time I get home. We were out for our walk one morning when we saw 2 bunnies on someone's lawn. One hopped away and I noticed it had a cotton tail. They were soooo cute!

Cheryl, congratulations on your weight loss! Way to go!!! Are you still lifting weights? Which hotel/motel did you finally decide to stay? Are you still having your stretch of good weather?

ledom, how are things going with you? Hope everything is well.

Have a great evening.

Good night.

Hey everyone, Alice I am glad you are enjoying yourself. Your so smart to do Fla. before spring break!

It has been a busy week at work after missing 3 days last week for ice and snow. Lots of make up work to do. And you are becoming positively svelte w/ all those smaller sizes. Way to go!

You're doing great too Cheryl. Keep up the good work.

I have finally stopped weighing. It was starting to get me down. I am doing a lot better w/ the diet this week. I am still lifting weights judi. I have changed my routine up a bit though.

Not much new here, just work and well...work. But I am enjoying it. Can't wait for some warm and non-windy days so I can get out my kayak. It has been on my mind lately.

We sure have been quiet over here this week. What are you all up too?

Cut my hair of SHORT yesterday! I think I like it. I love my hairdresser, but he didn't get it quite the way I hoped. I had a picture and his interpretation was a bit shorter than mine. Still, it is a good cut. I'll hang on to the picture and keep directing him until we get it right. You gotta start someplace. Speaking of my hairdresser, love must be in the air. He is getting married and he was just so happy yesterday. Also, two of my neatest former students have announced their engagement. They are especially interesting, they never dated when they were in school though they had many of the same classes. They discovered each other after they graduated. I have known and loved the guy since he was 14 and the girl is just so cool. That they found each other and fell in love renews im faith in romance somehow.

My diet and exercise have been mostly good this week. One minor slip and it truly was minor.

Hope all is well with you guys.

Good morning! Oh, it's FRIDAY!!!!

Wow, I lurked by the BfL/Bodybuilding forum this morning before coming by here and "MAN!!" It's like an invasion has taken place over there. Maybe some of the L & Sers will become regular posters on that board.

Not really much goin on here. The weather is finally supposed to be nice this weekend--highs in the 60's and low 70's. Hope all is well w/the three of you!

Sorry for the short post.

Cheryl

Goodmorning!

I am so glad you are enjoying some great weather Alice! Guess what it is doing here today...it decided to SNOW at this late date Though my DH is going to take me to town tomorrow if it is still here.

You cut your hair Ledom!!! That is a big bold step! I think you will like it. I like mine more and more and I don't feel I look so dated.

I am going to do the "What would Jesus Eat?" Diet by Dr. Colbert and count points. It is fish (I will have the canned kind) but no shellfish, in this he sort of follows the levitical laws on "flesh" eating, no white bread, white sugar, no processed foods (no diet Coke) whole grains etc. plus lots of walking. I am easing into it...I can't quit cold turkey and I want to use up the groc. I have.


The most difficult for me will be the whole grain aspect...I love homemade WHITE bread and I don't like whole grain pasta Also giving up diet coke...help! Ledom! I feel pretty hyped about it.

That is sweet about your two students, Ledom. My friend's son just recently got engaged. Love must be in the air.

It is so weird that it is snowing because yesterday in Vancouver I walked by a bit of lawn that had just been mowed and it had that fresh cut grass smell and the cherry trees are all in blossom. I hope it is gone by this afternoon.

Hi Cheryl!

Have a good weekend everyone!

Well, girls, only 1 more week to go. The time surely did go by fast. In a way DH & I are anxious to go home to get back into our own house, own routine, ect. But, to leave this fantastic weather is going to be very very difficult. Hopefully we won't have too much winter left when we get back. I know I'm going to miss our walks in the morning.

ledom, you cut your hair! That's fantastic. I'm sure it looks fabulous. How short is short? What a great story about your students. I wish them both the very best.

judi, SNOW??? Did it damage any of your pretty flowers? I hope you made it to town ok. I bet the snow won't last very long. Your new diet sounds very interesting. I eat whole-wheat pasta, and it's just ok. I have found this pasta, called whole-grain Vita Spelt in the whole foods section of my grocery store that I prefer. It has a lighter taste and reheats very well too. If you want, I can give you the brand name when I return home. I have decided when I get home that I am going to go back to Somersizing and count the WW points. I was eating too many carbs and I felt BLAH most of the time. So, I guess we will both be shaking up our WW.

Cheryl, glad you are having good weather. How is WW going for you?

Take care everyone and have a great weekend.

On giving up diet coke. Judi, I did it cold turkey. It is not without pain to do it that way. I had a headache for a week, but I just felt that once I decided to just taper off gradually would not work for me. I just had to let it go. Good luck with that and with your new PLAN.

Alice, what a nice long vacation you are having. I think the best thing about vacations is that it does make you appreciate being at home more. It is good to get away and even better to get back to your spot.

Happy news on the home front. We have found a male lilac point siamese kitten. It is a week old and is being saved for us until Easter. We've decided to just meet him when we pick him up because it'd be hard not to be able to bring him home. D and I are very excited though. Gotta meet the kitty before he gets a name but I am calling him Jolly in my mind already.

Cherly, yep what pretty weather we had yesterday and supposed to be really warm today. I may get the kayak out here in a few minutes. So many things to do, so little time. I'd also like to hit the darkroom some and also do some cleaning. Just so I don't end up doing nothing!

Have a good weekend everyone.

Ledom, you are getting a lilac point Siamese...How WONDERFUL!!! My aunt has a Siamese and it is a real conversationalist...it will sit at the patio doors and imitate the sounds the blue jays are making. The new cat will be so nice for you and your D.

Alice, sounds like you are having a nice time. Yes, we had a lot of snow over the weekend but it looks like it is melting today. The flowers look uncomfortable. The cat didn't know what to make of the snow. You are looking forward to coming home, eh, I know when I go away even if I am having the best time I miss my house, my things ... just being home.

Bentley was over the other day with my D. Is he ever a nice looking dog, he has perfect proportions. He still has his food allergies but he is back to eating everything because he was getting way too skinny otherwise. He has a little ezcema spot by his nose

Scale was down a couple of pounds this morning. I am looking forward to the new diet. I don't think I will give up Diet Coke, too many new things...I am already giving up wine for Lent plus trying to fast on Wed. and Fri. (one meal and the other two meals can't equal more than the one meal, no snacks but water, coffee, tea and juice is ok anytime...this is not too rigorous but def. more than someone like ME is used too). I am going to allow myself to eat whatever on Sun (no wine though). Yesterday I had some ice cream but really had no desire to go overboard on anything. I am feeling so much better eating less...I think it is easier because I am not regarding it as a diet as such and I no longer eat what I don't like just because they are low calorie etc. (like rice cakes, blech!) Let me know how the Sommersizing goes for you Alice? Is it more protein?

How is everything going Cheryl? Still busy at work?

My DH is going to Ca. next Monday and I keep going to and fro, I am going/I am not going etc. I have just gotten into a nice routine and going away always throws me off. But I know he would like me to go with him...but 2 weeks is so long It takes me forever to get back into things once I am sidelined on anything.

The lady who cleans my house is coming today Such a nice luxury. I would rather do without something else but have someone clean for me, and I love getting pedicures and manicures...I will buy less clothes or buy less for the house, which has too much stuff in it already. Since I came back to church in July the place has had an influx of "Catholica"...DH says some of it is tacky but it makes me feel good.

Well, have a good beginning to the new week!

Weather is the same old..same old.. We've been running the A/C for the past few days. AHHHHH! This weather is not typical of FL at this time of year. Quite a few miles north of us had a tornado touch down last night. Thankfully nobody was hurt. Those nasty storms stayed to the north of us.

ledom, you're getting a new kitty! I am so happy for you. A lilac point Siamese, he must be very handsome. When will you be picking him up? Did you get out in your kayak?

judi, congratulations on your weight loss Way to go!!
I'm glad that you saw Bentley. Has his allergies lessened a little? Poor baby. How does he get along with Estaban? In FL there are little chameleons zipping across the sidewalks into the flowers and bushes. Her nibs went after one the other day right into the bushes. She chased a larger one into the outside elevator, and DH had all he could do to keep her from pouncing on it, as he was trying to maneuver it out the door. I wish I had a camera for that! That's great you are so excited about your new diet. Just take everything one step at a time. I wish you great success with it. Somersizing is mostly protein, although you can have carbs, but not with protein. I felt much better when I was eating that way.

Cheryl, hope you are getting some decent weather. How is TOPS going?

Take care and have a wonderful day.

This is a late night post. Work was so weird today. Lots of stressed out vibes from my students which I seemed to absorb like a sponge. I was beat when I got home and went straight to bed. Now it is 10:30 and I am wide awake. So here I am.

Alice, it seems like the X-treme weather is following you around. Hope you aren't too uncomfortable. Maybe by the time you get home you'll be seeing some signs of spring. I hope so.

About the kitty. After we lost RM I started looking around for another cat. I guess it is silly, and there is no replacing him, but I did want the same breed and sex. I found that they were hard to find. One lady in the state paper advertised but by the time I called her she had sold them all. She breeds a litter for around christmas and another around easter so I asked to be put on the list. Then I called back about the time they were to be born. I called about a week early but then she called me to let me know. He was born on Feb. 27 and will be ready 8 wks. from then. The mother had two, a boy and a girl, so we feel lucky to be getting him.

judi, good luck deciding about your trip. I know you will be happy when hubby retires so that you don't have to decide between accompanying him and staying home.

I did get out in the kayak this weekend. We had one day that go into the 70's. Now it is cold again but will warm up by the end of the week. Two of my girl friends and I are planning to camp next week for the vernal equinox. My spring break isn't until the week after, but I think I can swing it. This semester is flying by.

You are right Ledom, the time is flying by....it is the middle of March already ... wow. That is ok though...summer will soon be here. Soon you will have the new kitty!!!

Sorry to hear you are stressed...go get a pedicure, that is so relaxing.

Alice, Bentley is quite a hooligan now that he is getting older, he challenges all other dogs, he used to be very aimable. I bet Lacee had a nice time on holiday.

Diet (W.W.J. eat) has been ok, except He wouldn't have a diet Coke. It is easy for me to follow it and because it is wholesome food, I don't get hungry. I STILL haven't added exercise.

The no wine thing is going along ok. I am kind of surprised it hasn't been more painful. The only thing is that I don't feel like going to any nice restaurants...how can you eat really good food without vino, to my mind you can't. Sushi works though...I have been having avacado and California rolls when I go out.

I have decided to stay home and let the dear DH, go himself. Though I promised to bake him some bread to take along.

We are having a lot of rain here.

Every have a good day!

Will Estaban be traveling w/ DH this trip? Glad you are getting to stay home.

The weather in this part of the country has me digging out my capris' and sandels. It feels so good. I am hoping for another kayaking adventure this weekend, though it depends on the wind. Windy weather is not the best for paddling and you know how March is?

My spring break is in a couple of weeks. This year I am sneaking a couple extra days the week prior to the actual break. My friends are having their breaks a week earlier and I plan to camp w/ them on the full moon or the Vernal equinox, whichever night the weather cooperates. My boss is flying to visit her son in Paris a week early, I guess we are lucky to get away w/ a couple of extra days.

Ah the diet - I am in week 11 of the second challenge. I haven't weighed in a while. I am more muscular but not much lighter I am sure. I haven't done it so strictly this time around, and I'm ready for this challenge to be through. I will do a third one after taking a week off. My feelings on this? Well, first of all I am excited about Challenge 3 and am anxious to begin it. I want to do it really well. On my imperfections of this challenge? You know, I wish I had been stricter w/ myself. On the other hand, I haven't lost any ground and have made some small improvements. All the clothes I am digging out of the closet for the new season fit so much nicer than last year. Sure, I wish they were too big, but they are loose. I am not going to spend time with regrets. I am ready for another big push for myself though. By next fall I hope that I will see a huge difference.

Alice, have you headed home yet? Drive safely when you do.

Cheryl, are you still swamped with work? Take care all.