Welcome Back MiWi and Blue -- we missed you.

Blue - Happy P4. Awesome work on holding your weight on vacation. :carrot::bravo::jig::cb::twirly::woohoo::cheer3::c heer2:
Glad to hear that you had a great time away. I have never been to Sarasota, why did you like it? I know there are several sites that offer homes for rent. My folks use VBRO and I think my aunt uses another but I can't remember the name (they rented a home for a month this year and 6 weeks next year).

Linda - Do you find that the daily weight is messing less with your head now that you are trying not to weigh daily? I agree with Beth -- you are doing more now and your body is likely changing. "I really don't want to go to the gym after work, but I don't want to break my cycle- kwim?" Way to go, this is a great sign toward you maintaining your weight. I agree with the not doing well with 6 hours of sleep - but I just have not been able to get much more of the for the last several weeks -- too much going on -- I think.

Beth - Sorry to hear about your DH injury. "When I can I've stopped fighting my body when I am tired - it really seems to be when the munchies hit me the hardest, at any point in the day. I've really started trying to go to my bedroom, lay down and either pass out or lay quietly and reflect on the day (or watch relaxing videos on YouTube)". Beth I think this is a great lesson and one that I need to heed. If I reflect back - when I have been exhausted, tired, sick and try to keep going the carb load was my go to...this usually caused a cycle of continued consumption..... Hope the lab work turns out well.

HIS - I hate hail. It is less common in wisconsin than it is in tornado alley, but my husband's and also his mother's house had both the siding and the roof damaged a few years ago. The silver lining was we were getting ready to sell mom's and we were able to sell it with a new roof and let the buyers pick the siding. Sorry about the pain. I agree with Beth - your body might be telling you too much to fast. Resting is a good idea and then begin by gradually adding things back when you are pain free. I can understand the fear that you are feeling. You got this.

MiWi - Glad to hear you had a great time. It always seems to rain in paradise (that is what keeps everything so green). How exciting to be able to go back to where you got engaged. Glad to hear that you are making the transition back to P1. I am still struggling as to what to do for vacation. Can you tell me about you phase off and what if anything special you did on vacation?

DH and I had our last class for Retirewise. This was a retirement class offered through work and MetLife. Well worth the 6 hour time investment (I think it helped facilitate discussion -- even if we have more questions than answers now -- at least we know some questions to ask. We got our pre-approval application for the mortgage last night and it looks like I have about 6 aliases - maiden name and middle initial name combinations mostly. Interesting that I did not see any for my DH. Mostly waiting now -- wait for approvals, wait for appraisals, wait for closing. We have started sorting and packing. If it has been sitting in the basement for 7 - 12 years, I doubt that I really need it. I would like to get a little further along in the process before we call the realtor. We will see what the house looks like after the weekend. I am thinking Mid April is to get it on the Market.

Weighed in yesterday and was down < 1 pounds (I have been struggling with water and vitamins and maybe stress too. This puts me 1.4 pounds from my original goal and about 4 weeks ahead of that schedule. I am 8 weeks from leaving for Hawaii. I still don't know what to do -- full phase off or quick. Staying in ketosis and P1 during all of this change may be a good thing. Plus I would be closer to goal. I am going to phase off this time.

Have a great Friday. Can't believe Easter is almost here - I have not been tempted by the candy yet.

Sue

Blue - :cheer2: :cheer3: I am so happy for you - and to do it away from home / on vacation!!!! Welcome to maintenance :D

Sue - Congrats on the great WI - and almost a month ahead of schedule! That is terrific!
I don't envy you on the sorting & packing...I know it's coming - DH really wants to move before DD11 starts high school (about 3 years) and I am just dreading it
I had 1 Reese's peanut butter Easter egg last Sunday after the race - and honestly, it didn't taste as good as I remember (yay for me! :lol:)

HIS - how are you feeling today?

I think I am going to have to put the scale downstairs, in the basement bathroom - ugh...it's an addiction. But I felt so good (ie, thin) this morning

I keep telling myself there is no way I ate 15,000 extra calories last weekend. 3,000 - probably? maybe? - 5 #'s worth, absolutely not

Wore my uh-oh jeans today - it crossed my mind they wouldn't even fit, but they do...and its a definite that I am holding fluid in my legs - even my calves are puffy.

Sorry to keep whining about this - I know, even my PDoc said a full week or two to deflate ;)

DH was able to go out for a bike ride yesterday and said his foot felt good. Step in the right direction for him :)

but unfortunately now it's looking like I may have an issue leading up to the 10 miler on 4/3 - I don't feel well :( it started yesterday afternoon (tired, cold, headache) & woke up this morning with a sore throat & stuffed up nose :crossed: it is just allergies. I am using my allergy meds again, so I guess we'll see if I get some relief.
If I'm not feeling better after lunch, I may try and go home for the afternoon.

Sue, the routine of P1 might be helpful during this busy season, as you said. Personally, I think you could do 1 week of P2 and 1 week of P3 and be fine.

Beth, have you tried compression socks? I wore them after my long runs and really noticed a difference in how my calves felt. Some people run in them, but I think they'd be too hot for me. Get the really good ones that come all the way up to your knee. I have some I found at Tuesday Morning, with less compression, but my good ones were the $40/pair socks that I bought at the local running store.

Thanks for the recommendation about that RW article, I hadn't seen that one. I think the tip about finding a new normal is where I'm at. And using the time off to figure out how my injury happened.

I did practically nothing yesterday other than a couple loads of laundry and fix dinner. I had intermittent sharp pain all day. But last night, as I was walking through the kitchen, I heard and felt a grinding sensation in the fracture area, and then a couple of steps later, a pop. It didn't hurt at all, although it was very disconcerting. But I haven't had any pain since then. I suspect I must have displaced the fracture a little bit when biking. But just to be safe, I'm doing no activity until Monday. Keeping my step count under 8000.

Scale is still up a couple pounds higher than I like, but that's to be expected with being so sedentary. DH and I are going to FL in early May, and then Dd wants to take a cruise with me in mid-May, so if my weight continues to creep up over the next two weeks, I may do P1/P2 for most of April.

HIS - you know your body - my only word(s) of caution would be to be mindful of eating P1/P2 level calories vs the healing process with the pelvis. I think back to the cold I had last spring (right about this time, go figure) on P1 and how I immediately developed a double ear infection & it took 3 weeks to really kick it to the curb...still wonder if the lack of calories had something to do with the length of time I was sick...? Idk

I have been thinking about picking up a good pair...part of my hesitation has been how (forgive me) 'dorky' I would look running with socks like that :lol: but then after seeing 2/3 of the folks at the RnR Marathon in them - let's say I feel MUCH better about putting those worries aside ;)

I went last night and splurged on a couple pairs of nice summer-weight running shorts and tops

Good point, and something to think about. One of the things I read about pubic ramus stress fractures is that they're most commonly seen in anorexic women runners. Being on the P1 protocol is pretty dang close to anorexic eating, and maybe that contributed to my stress fracture.

Fortunately, I'm generally very healthy for someone my age (no problems with blood pressure, diabetes, etc.), and I can't remember the last time I had a cold or flu. I have pretty much accepted the fact that I won't be running for at least 4 more months, that it will be a slow recovery no matter how I eat. The P1/P2 would just be 3-4 weeks in April, to make sure I can vacation without getting myself into trouble. But maybe by the end of March I'll still be safely in my comfort zone, and won't have to worry about it.

I think the compression socks are cute on small women like you! I've seen a lot of people pair them with running skirts. :) I'm too tall to make that look work, and it's just too hot here most of the year to wear them. I already have that weird runner's tan - shockingly white feet and upper thighs. LOL. Can't imagine how strange it would look to have white calves and tanned thighs. hahaha.

That is interesting - and yes, no matter how you parse it, P1 level calories are generally below 1,000 per day...but most anorexics are not taking the vitamin regime we all did in P1 - so they weren't getting the calcium...but even so, I can only imagine the level of stress we truly put on our bodies continuously eating less than 1,000 calories per day...and wonder how much was leeched out of our bones (not to go all Debbie Downer about IP...) - adequate protein should have offset that but I wonder from person to person how true that is, kwim? What was adequate for one may not have been for another, for any variety of reasons.

:lol: it gets pretty hot and sticky here too...I was just thinking on the walk I took how much I wish it was going to be in the 60's / 70's tomorrow morning so I could sweat out some of this extra fluid ;) but nooooo - stupid groundhog...30's & snow Sunday, the first day of spring :mad:

*sung in my best Frozen soundtrack voice*:
"Do you wanna build a....STFU...I wanna build a SANDCASTLE!!!!" :lol: :lol:

HIS How exciting! 2 holidays coming up for you in May. Sounds fun!
Going back to P1 till then might be OK, or it may cause problems with healing, as Beth said. JMHO, but this sounds like a conversation you should have with your Dr before you decide. If you get the green light, maybe consider alt-P1 so you'll get the dairy.
Other than the healing risk, going to P1 till your vacation sounds like a plan, both with losing those few lbs you wanted to drop, and the "no exercise" part of it.

Sue I am not looking forward to giving my kids jelly beans for Easter. I LOVE jelly beans. Oh well, if I hadn't eaten so many jelly beans in the past, I wouldn't have to be on IP!!! Anyway, back to your question about phasing off. I agree with HIS about one week of phase 2 and one week of phase 3. I think that is plenty for vacation. I actually think Phase 3 is most important when phasing off. I don't think I did enough Phase 3 before the PR phase off and was feeling a bit nauseous. I think when I phase off to maintenance, I am going to do 3 weeks of phase 3. That's just me. While I was on vacay, I ate what I wanted. DH and I noted we tend not to go for as many carbs as we used to, and I tended to eat the meat and veggies before I touched the carbs...but I had wine and bread and ice cream. I gained the carb bloat for sure and maybe an additional pound, but most of that is gone after four days of Phase 1 which is worth it to me. I phased off for vacation last year and was much better at doing the low carb thing and would never have touched ice cream, and you know what? I gained more weight during that vacay than this one!!!

blue Hope Phase 4 at home is going well.

HIS Phase 1 is totally like anorexia (without the clinical mental health part)!!! No wonder why people get worried when they see us lose weight so quickly. Where in FL are you going? Do you know what kind of cruise? Woo hoo!

Beth Hope you are not getting sick. I know my boys have had runny noses the past couple of days. I've been wondering if it's allergies. Allergies can make ya feel sick though.

I am looking forward to a weekend at home with DH and my little guys. Like Beth said, it's supposed to get freakin' cold and snow for Spring. At least it's supposed to warm up again next week. Perfect time for at-home snuggles. Have a super weekend.

Hi all -

I am very tired today and feeling hungry (a little) for the first time in a while. I ate my IP snack earlier because of this. Thanks to Beth for her post earlier this week, so off to bed I go.

I will catch up with everyone tomorrow.

Sue

...and I didn't heed my advice so am here, humbled and abashed:

Got into the granola, nut butter, sweet potato chips, yogurt craisins, and Nuetella :(

Here is a pattern I'm starting to see - going super low calorie (Less than 1,500 a day Tu - Th) while running (ran 7.5, walked 6 more) is leading to these binges where I just can't stop eating carbs, fats, sugar. I even tried egg whites and ACV & was still hungry! :eek:

Doing an hour on the roads tomorrow morning so I'll work off some of the excess but know I'll need to be mindful this weekend *sigh*

Just when you think you got it in check :p oh well, tomorrow's another day :D

Sue-I will admit, I have not been able to stick to my guns. The daily weighing is really screwing with my head. I need to get my act together and start limiting it. If Ikeep this up, I'll never get to "ween off" my weekly visits. Truth be told, I'm not ready to anyways- I think my coach would like me to start going bi-weekly, but I'm just not there yet- Then again, sometimes, I just need to be pushed off the stern and surprise, I will not sink....(lol- that happened :). ) I am loving going to the gym though....that's been a good experience. I do wish that the restorative yoga class was at like 530 not 415-(that was ok back in Januaury- you know-before I started going to the gym) but in the landscaping business...I'm lucky to leave by 5...oh- and to jump back- this is why they tell you NOT EVERY DAY!! This week I have bounced around 125 up to 127 (which, please understand-after a FULL month of weighing 125 -the only variance was in the flipping ounces-pretty freaking LUCKY-luck and nothing else-I know this!) yes, this fluctuation - and mostly weighing the 126 and getting used to that- grumbling- no matter that I know know know it has to be some muscle....anyways- screwing with my head....today I'm 124.4-so you tell me- LINDAJEAN-DON'T WEIGH EVERY DAY!!! but it's so GD hard! Hide it or not, remember I was the one who didn't weigh in P! Ever at home- until I was almost done....as for the vacation.....I would say, based on what we've seen here this week with Blue's amazing news- do a phase off- jmtcw-that would be my choice. Good job on the weight loss!!! Don't let yourself get balled up with the stress that's starting with the houses...it's only temporary and before you know it, you'LL be settled in to your beautiful new home xo
HIS-echoing what everyone is saying about the healing process. Through the winter (last) that was a huge concern of mine-an injury and not being able to continue on P1- now, it's similar- but thinking about what would I do without the exercise - which in the past has usually been my downfall- getting bored with the exercise routine stopping and then - well, you know....here comes the weight again.....Maybe the alt P1 for the extra calories and make sure that you are getting proper supplementation? You guys would know better than I. I am using a supplement called Bone-up that I got on the recommendation of the women I have come to depend on at the Vitamin Shoppe- she's about 10 years older than I am and she knows her stuff- she gets talking and my head starts spinning- lol-
Candi- Jelly Belly jelly beans...love them and haven't had them in over a year- lol- last night for the first time, we saw the Russell Stover Vanilla Cream Eggs- my favorite since a child- DBF said "do you want me to get one and tell you how terrible it is?" I said absolutely not!! If he did, I would have taken a bite,,,,,THAT was a close one...especially because I was so tired and HUNGRY.....Victory for me...(at least for that day) We are now the ones getting the brunt of the flipping storm here on the Cape....GRRRRRRRRR
Beth- LOVE LOVE LOVE the Frozen reference!!! Last night, woke up from my "nappatizer" and before I went up to bed, yup.....nutbuttermonster....at least.I used a small fork instead of a spoon- I feel like it is less that I scoop than if I used a spoon...lol- any port in a storm...rationalize rationalize rationalize......at least you have legitimate reasoning- you are running your tail off- I skipped exercise Thursday and Friday-Friday's are usually always a day off. Thursday was the day I decided to listen to my body and really rest when I got home- and the monster didn't rear its head.....I need to remember to ask my coach later what the deal with it is- it's like I am craving fat- honestly my fat percentage on MFP is running on the higher side. I'm finding that I am "sneaky peteing" too and not logging everything-like a couple of pieces of shaved cheese- (that BelGioso Asiago salad mix) nibbled - I question myself after-you know, that slippery slope....again, I am interested to see what my coach says - glad you treated yourself to your splurge!!! I love clothes- in case nobody figured that out...lol- some really cute shorts that I had bought some years ago for working out that never fit right- well, they still don't....as I watched them fall to the floor.....hot pink and orange, orange board shorts, green and blue board shorts.......I was laughing with someone the other day that hasn't seen me in a long time - told them I feel like I have the body of a 12 year old boy....(okay- yeah the loose skin/intoned crap notwithstanding) but the twins- there's nothing left and I am kind of worried about bathing suit season....more because of that and not the loose skin- lol
Okay- 630- time to get up make my breakfast - have my appointment at 915, then have to work the local Home Show at the high school today for a couple of hours. Nice way to waste part of my Saturday- it wouldn't be so bad if we got compensated for it- (even my bosses father calls him Simon Legree) BUT my paycheck doesn't bounce, I have a job when many don't-(which with all the help wanted ads-my co included-I don't understand how anyone around here can be without a job) he pays me pretty well, and I can pay my half of the bills.....so- off to the show I shall go.
I hope that everyone has a wonderful Saturday - hopefully a nice long walk with DBF this afternoon-

LINDAJEAN - (sorry not sorry :) ) - it makes me happy to hear you're loving the gym. My twins have all but disappeared, too. I plan on buying a new swimsuit from Land's End (they carry long sizes) with padded cups. The only time I had real curves in that area were when I was breastfeeding or fat. :(

Candi, I agree, P3 is much more important than P2. IMO, P2 is more for the mental transition back to real food.

The FL trip is an annual thing to see my in laws, who live between Tampa and Sarasota. When our kids were small, we stayed a week and did all the touristy things. Now that it's just DH and me, and the in laws are in their 80s, we stay about 5 days and sit around a lot. I try to get to the beach one day, and do a little shopping. The park where they live is nice to walk/run/bike in, so I do a lot of that. Food will be challenging. My MIL is very obese and always has snack foods around, and we eat out a LOT when we're there.

My daughter (not the one doing the protocol) really wants to try a cruise, and since I've done two, she figures I'd be a good traveling partner. I suggested the Caribbean since 1) my DH won't ever go there with me, and 2) those are some of the less expensive cruises, and 3) we can go out of a port in TX. The May trip is tentative, depending on if she gets her passport in time. Again, careful food choices can be tricky, because cruise food is so good and tempting. My DD has celiac disease so it will be interesting to see how they handle a gluten-free diet on a ship.

Beth, isn't it frustrating that our go-to snacks aren't veggies?? I was hungry and craving junk last night but ended up choosing an apple with a smear of peanut butter on it. Totally NOT was I was craving, but it did satisfy me. But I think you've said that fruit tends to trigger carb cravings in you, so that may not work for you.

The RnRDallas is today. Glad I'm not running in it - it's 38 degrees here. Sheesh. Winter is making one last gasp. I had to start a fire in the wood stove this morning as it was 58 degrees in the house.

I'm going to meet with some lady friends this morning, then go to Costco with my DIL. She has a membership and I need a couple of things. Hope I'm not tempted by all the giant economy size packages of goodies.

Weight is still hovering around 160, two pounds over my comfort zone. I'm managing to keep my calorie intake around 1600/day but that feels very restrictive. I can definitely see that physical activity plays a big role in weight management.

Stay warm, iPeeps!

Thanks, Sue. We saw lots of places that would be nice to vacation in - Sarasota is a nice size, not crazy busy and easier to get around. Great beaches. We have friends that have used VRBO ( both renters and owners) and it has a good reputation. Now the work of finding something.
About vacation phase off, I know for me I was pretty close to goal, so the full phase off made sense. Have to agree with the others, maybe 1 week each of P2 and P3 might be enough, then you can enjoy P4 in HAWAII ( OMG! I've never been there, always wanted to, you are going to have such FUN!!)
I found in P4 while I was away that I was just cautious about carbs... ate them but didn't pig out :D ... and separating carbs and fats; maybe a bit simple, but it seemed to work for me.

I found the same thing, I think all those months of no carbs at meals has become a habit. Even now at home, I'm finding I consciously have to think of a carb to add at dinner ;)

It's good to recognize patterns (you're so good at that). Are you consciously keeping your calories low on running days? I know you have to weak your food because of the running, and I don't really understand all of the adjustments you've been making. But if you know you're going to be running, couldn't you add in a few hundred extra calories sometime during the day? Or am I simplifying it too much, I'm sure it's more complicated than that.
I've started using MFP again, and I'm finding that for me, I like to fill it all in ahead of time, either in the morning before breakfast, or even the day before, so I can see what I'm doing and make adjustments.
I have to admit, not tracking during vacay is really scary NOW, :eek: looking back, I was doing so many things wrong, no idea how it all worked out. Pure dumb luck! The carb/fat ratio never seems to work out, fat is always higher than I know it should be. Well, as you all have said over and over, it's a learning experience that never ends.

LINDAJEAN -:lol: reminds me of when my Mom used to yell at us kids, she used all.the.names :dizzy:
Fwiw, I don't think it's the daily weighing that's making you flip out. You KNOW your weight can fluctuate day to day, P1 sure taught us that! You've been bouncing around from 124 to 127, that's 3 lbs. I can't remember who posted awhile back the analogy about setting a number that's the "rumble strip" on the road, and then a higher one that's the scream weight. What if you set your rumble strip at 127. If you're below that, no worries. If you hit it, then next day, just eat clean, low carb. If you hit your scream weight ( and it may never happen ;) because from what you're writing, you are being very careful, even with the so-called "cheats" ), then go right to a P1 day.
I know my coach used to caution me about stressing out to much about the number. Maybe rely more on uh-oh pants :)
What does your coach say?

Oh yeah, the best part of being fat was I finally had boobies :D. Before vacay, I went to get a couple of new bras, got fitted, and the poor saleslady, she did not have an easy task with me, she kept saying I don't really have much there to fill up those cups. All padded, for sure, and even then....

Chill here again today, but sunny. Went for a short walk this morning. Hated wearing a winter jacket and mittens. Doesn't feel like spring is tomorrow. But next week is warmer.

Ah, it seems to be lunchtime. Egg salad with real mayo on lettuce with green onions and celery. Have a great weekend, everyone!

Ok....going to get the cattiness out of the way first and just say...yah, its swimsuit season ;)

Linda - congrats on the scale victory this morning :D
you paid enough $$ for products I don't think it should matter how long you keep checking in...that said, it probably would be...healthy ;) to start weening off
:cheer3: on avoiding the dreaded Cadbury Egg...may I brag a bit and say I've never had an issue with those...Reeses peanut butter eggs were my :devil: so it was a relief last Sunday to find out how much my tastes have changed (granola and quinoa instead :lol:)
My girls are gone - they deflated..I mean, like a super stretched out balloon deflated ;) Not looking forward to finding a swimsuit
Hope you drummed up some interest in the biz today :D

HIS - a cruise to the Caribbean sounds wonderful as I watch it rain out the windows and listen to the furnace rev up (its 40 degrees here)
I've found if I am craving something its better to indulge than try to divert - b/c I'll divert and then still go after whatever it was I was trying to avoid...something else to work on :) progress, not perfection

Blue - the problem is I overindulged before and after the race last weekend - not separating fat/carbs...eating out...I went crazy and ate a lot of things I hadn't in over a year. I also didn't do P1 Sunday or Monday. I own it and I'm paying for it

So while I say "I own it" - and I do, I tracked, I plugged everything into MFP & I didn't do what I needed to I would be lying to say at this point, a week later, that I'm not frustrated and frightened. Even 3 days of clean eating hasn't help and I am a 1/2 pound away from my scream weight. I can't totally P1 right now with 3 more races coming up and truthfully don't have the inclination to try alt P1 either.

I'm human and I screwed up.

The plan now is to get through the Historic Half 5/15 & my nephews wedding Memorial Day Weekend and start back on full P1 until I am back to 145 - however long that takes

Evening Everyone,

Beth - Don't be too hard on yourself. You are doing many of these things (1/2 marathons, etc) for the first time. There are many "fears" associated with these long athletic events (including bonking and not having enough energy to finish). The good news is that with each event you are moving from novice toward expert. You are still on the road and have not reached the rumble strips. Be proud.

Blue- Thanks for your thoughts re phase off. The funny thing is in general I don't miss the carbs, I miss the fats bacon and cheese. Though the main reason I want to phase off is tropical fruit - and reading some IP related stuff those might not be the best fruits to start with. The advantage of starting P4 on vacation will be the ability to focus time on learning about it. While we do stuff on vacation, we tend to spend a large amount of time relaxing. Plus I love the morning walks along the ocean.

HIS - I agree that one has to be more careful when not exercising, this may be an opportunity to prove to yourself that you can maintain with a low to moderate exercise level. Regarding cruise -I did not find doing gluten free that hard. About 1 month before I left I let the cruise line know that I was gluten free (for IP). The dining room was great - Each night the head waiter would give me the dining room menus for the following day. I would then look through and we would discuss the items and potential modifications they could make. Honestly, I thing the no carrots / potatoes was harder for them. We took a ships tour while I was on the ship and they prepare cold apps ahead (to some degree) and desserts as well. Gluten free desserts were clearly marked in the buffet (but gluten free foods were not) . Gluten Free and Sugar Free were not readily available. (good thing for me).

Linda - You are doing a great job staying within the lines on the road. The IP philosophy seems to be to weigh daily, if that is what works for you maybe you need to stop fighting it. I want to design a scale for maintenance that is Green (3- 4 # window), Yellow (5 - 6 # window) and Red (7#). Pick your zones and focus on which zone you are in. If you are green you are green. No numbers to mess with the head. The funny thing about me - when I weighed daily on other WL programs I have done better. When I don't weigh I have found that I go off the program. For me it is like checking the speedometer, it keeps me focused (and keeps me from driving or eating at 80 mph). I think you may have been smart to spend some time mastering P4 before adding in the exercise. I understand that exercise is good, but I know that in the past that I have exercised as an excuse to eat more. I even did 6 weeks of WW without exercising to prove to myself that I could lose weight without exercise.

MiWi - Thanks for the thoughts. I am actually wondering about doing 1 week P2 followed by 2 weeks of 3, but I don't know yet. Once I know the closing date of the new house I think I will pick what I am going to do. The cooler / rain snow weather is good for me now as I have a ton to do in the current house to get it ready for the market. Enjoy the weekend with the fam.

Went to bed at 8 pm last night and got up about 6 AM. My folks came over to help us sort / pack. My mom is great to help with the get rid aspect. We are starting in the basement and there are a lot of things that I have not touched or used since I moved back to Wisconsin. We managed to cut the Christmas decorations close to half, and part with a lot of my souvenirs from college and high school. After mom left I laid down and ended up falling to sleep, I probably would have stayed there, but I needed o get up and eat -- and so I could sleep tonight. More tomorrow.

Re "the ladies" I would be happy to loose more in that area. I don't remember ever being flat chested. I would love to loose more in that area (and not have to wear 2 bras when running). I have dropped several band sizes in bras so far so they are shrinking.

Sue