Allison - mine isn't anything that is supposed to be too complicated. It is a standard heat pump zoned system. I'm thinking it was installed poorly at the beginning and am considering going after my builder - I've only been here 3.5 years.

Back from weekend trip - and this morning, the scale was up to 157.5. However ... I am crispy-fried sunburned (but not blistered), dealing with TOM (surprise!), got stung by a wasp, and spent over 6 hours actively swimming in, around, and across a big lake over those two days. I suppose I'm pleased the scale didn't react worse.

Allison, I never made it to the treadmill for that 10 minutes. I hope the swimming effort redeemed it somewhat. If nothing else, I remembered that it does feel good to be tuckered out from a whole day of fun!

Shannon, we've now run our air conditioner for 8 days straight. I can't imagine what I'd be doing if mine flaked out right now ...

Jessica, I hope your patience can be rewarded, and soon.

to everyone!

A day full of fun is better than 10 minutes on the treadmill!

I forgot to get on the treadmill today. Did walk the golf course on Saturday (played, too, but it wasn't a good game).

A day full of fun is definitely better than 10 mins on a treadmill!

Looks like I'm going to be rained out of my run this afternoon, so I'm looking at treadmill, too. Unless I decide to go run in the rain, which after my weekend I just might do. Urg.

I was a dehydrated and still-drunk 132 this morning. I look HUGE though since I have been in a total exercise funk for 2 weeks now. Moving in 5 days. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

Much love to you all.

Got no exercise on Monday with the rain and the AC tech, but got a great workout yesterday. I did the 100 again - not as sore today as the day after last time.

Behaving again. 5 hours in a car each of the last two days - exercise was a non-starter (business trip).

Dilemma has presented itself. I've been in my new job almost 3 months. It pays well, is crazy-stressful, LOTS of casual overtime and is basically 24/7 on call. I'm good at it but don't enjoy it any more. Friend at previous employer was double-promoted and asked me if I were interested in coming to work for her. Would be exactly 40 hours week, zero overtime, zero leakage into private life, telecommuting as necessary, flex time, and probably the same pay or even higher. Downside - likely to get boring pretty fast. Since I'm in the "sunset" of my career in this industry (and she knows it), do y'all opine that maybe boredom isn't a bad thing for a couple of years while I pursue my other interests? I've never left a job after only 3 months and that alone is freaking me out.

My last job was crazy stressful. I'm glad my current job is somewhat boring.

As yourself this--which will more rewarding in the long run? What are you resenting the most? What do you look forward to now? What will you look forward to if you change jobs? What's the worst that could happen?

I think that it's never wrong to change one job for a better one, even if it's only been 3 months, unless you have signed some kind of contract. But you need to make sure it's really a better choice.

Consider fringe benefits, retirement stuff, personalities, your duties, etc. Think about why you left the previous employer and evaluate whether it would be the same again. Also, is boredom on the job something you can expect no matter where you go, given the type of work?

I assume you would be interviewing, yes? It's definitely OK to interview--but before you accept, be really, really sure.

Jay

Personally, I would rather work fewer hours on a flexible schedule doing something boring than excessive hours doing something slightly more interesting. Ideally you'd work fewer hours doing something interesting, but apparently that isn't an option!

There is nothing wrong with leaving the job after 3 months if it is a bad fit.

Excellent feedback, as always!

Jay, I'm in the quality field (manufacturing, and specifically automotive). For a long time, I've enjoyed the ridiculous pace, travel, and intensity. I've travelled to some very cool places, helped solve some major puzzles, and gone toe-to-toe with the bigwigs during quality spills. It's just ... old. I'm 44, and I want to feel some passion for what I do. I know the new job ain't it either, but on the other hand, it will allow me to eat dinner with my family, won't have me losing sleep, and missing my kid's events at school. The benefits and retirement are fortunately a non-issue - spouse carries the insurance, and careful planning has taken care of the other. I doubt I'll even make to retirement if I stay in the field much longer; I've already gotten confirmation that the stress is not only fattening, but makes my thyroid freak out too.

Allison, I look forward most to getting home and pouring time into getting my gemologist certification (passion!) and building my new business. It's been on hold since I switched jobs, because I'm totally destroyed by the time I get home each night, and all I want to do is drink, or sleep, or drink then sleep. Truly, what I resent is every day that I'm not moving in the direction I want to go.

Jessica, your comment reminds me of my all-time favorite quote: "No one in the history of mankind has said on their deathbed, "I wish I'd spent more time in the office." If I must be in an office for a while longer (kid in private school two more years, $$$), it makes a lot of sense to minimize the impact of it on the things I'd prefer to be doing. It'll still be quality, and still in automotive, but much, much less intense. More on the warranty end instead of on the front lines of production.

I just hate quitting, even if it's for a good reason. I'm a big people-pleaser, and this is going to be disappointing to my current employer. Not that I have any illusions that I'm not expendable ... I've suffered through enough of the downturns to see good people being treated like used tissues. Maybe that's the proper perspective: nobody's going to look out for me except me, so I might as well get on with it, hey?

Yup. New job, especially if it means more time for your family and for your interests. Good luck!!

Hi girls,
xoxoxox
I have not been around. Seems that, for now, my Op 5-10 is my maintenance bounce with me struggling to get to 129.5. Not really where I want to be but not the end of the world either. Clothing still fitting but in that it fits way rather than a slightly loose way, maybe I need a different size way, which I highly prefer.

Yes, new job= sounds good.

I am considering whether it's time for me to leave my 9-5 job as we just got so banged on our benefits. The reason I schlep into NYC is because I am the benefits holder for the fam and they used to be really great. Not so much, as of Sept 1, 2011. For the next 2-3 years I won't do anything as I am nearing a magic number for pension, which has also taken a major plummet. Bah.

In any case, I am hoping you all are well and enjoying this fleeting season of summer

dare I say I have 3 weeks of country living (upstate with kids) and maybe I can use it as self induced spa time--> goal being 5 pounds

5 pounds is a good goal---I think I should focus on such a number. Which is ironic as it is the title of the thread. Have a nice vacation, Kitty!

I've lost 12 and maintained it for about a month now. I still need to lost another 10ish, but I just had to tell y'all--I went shopping today and EVERYTHING size 8 I tried on fit perfectly. Size 10--too big by far. I picked up a couple pair of Capri pants at Black Market/White House and a white blouse at Chico's.