Ah... and the other key is that this is Monday. Time for BillBlueEyes to start a new thread if he were awake, LOL.

Have a Monday Monday you guys.

Oh Bill! You sneaked in a minute before me!

Somebody is up before me ! Well, maybe, I had my coffee first made in my Keurig coffee brewer that I got for Mothers Day. I hope all the mothers had a lovely Mothers Day.

Good morning! I am off in a few minutes for yet another doctor appointment. Depending how it goes with this one, I am thinking today I will call up my endocrinologist and ask to see him sooner so I can see if he is willing to try changing my thryoid meds enough to put my labs in the middle of the normal range instead of the low end of the normal range to see if that makes any difference. I've started having some new symptoms which are the same as ones I had before when my thyroid was low, so I'm really suspecting this is related.

I got a new bike this weekend! A real road bike. Now I just need my wrists to stop hurting so that I can go out and ride it for more than 5 minutes. I might also see if I can get the handlebars raised a bit so I don't have to put so much weight on my hands.

Hope the moms had a good mothers' day! It's a beautiful spring day outside here! The only bad thing that happened is that the voles in our front yard are back. They destroyed a tulip plant. DH had cleared out their nest and filled it with rocks once before but apparently they are back. Thinking there was probably only one, he took a shovel and went to take the rock they use as a roof up and kill it (we had no luck with the live trap before), but when he picked up the roof there were like 8 of them in there. He did kill a couple of them but I think he feels pretty guilty for doing it. We are so not hunters! The live trap is set up again and he filled the nest with rocks again so hopefully we can get rid of these guys.

Morning all,

It was sort of strange having two weekend days off in a row, with nothing really to do (besides the usual chores, working out, cooking...). It hasn't happened in a long time and it was nice! BF and I went out on the boat Saturday. It was such a beautiful day! I've discovered his new boat has a raised front platform that is perfect to lay on, and the side lip is a perfect pillow height.

I've been struggling to get back into my exercise routine. I actually looked forward to going to the gym Friday afternoon, and made it to the gym 3x last week. I'm aiming for 4x this week. I think I took the dog for only two really long walks last week, and a few more sorta long walks, so my goal is for four really long walks this week for her (dare I try to throw in some jogging?). I need to get moving!

Jessica, sorry about the continued thyroid issues. Sometimes it's quite frustrating when your doc doesn't believe that you know your own body. And sorry about the voles! Garden pests are so annoying. I actually have an ant nest in my veggie garden I'm battling right now.

Bargoo, coffee first - at least you've got your priorities straight. This morning the dog just wouldn't "go" and I had to wait for my coffee! I've tried explaining this to her... she doesn't seem to understand.

Bill, Monday Monday to you too.

I had a very nice weekend and Mother's Day. Saturday we all participated in the Run for Ike 5k (still waiting to hear how much money they raised, but it was a good turnout). DH, DD and I got pedicures that afternoon and then we watched a Netflix movie that night. Sunday DH and I golfed and while we were gone DS made me a nice Mother's Day card while DD went out and bought flowers. That afternoon we split up and went to two movies: the boys went to Fast Five and DD and I saw Something Borrowed. All in all it was great!

I'm really liking this Medifast diet. So far hunger isn't an issue and I'm impressed on how good the food tastes (although if I do a second month, I will not order a couple items).

Megan~I remember my first puppy who was still in potty training when it was getting cold in Utah. Going outside with her and telling her to "hurry up" finally struck a cord with her and from then on all I had to say was hurry up and she'd go. Good luck with telling her you need your coffee!

Jessica~here's hoping that at least one of your docs goes along with your wishes so you can get back to feeling normal! Good luck!

Bargoo~don't you love the Keurig? We have one for the office and it's so nice! At home I still make a regular pot--mainly because I love Gevalia coffee and Gevalia doesn't do Keurig (they do Tassimo) and I don't like using the refillable little pot as it's too messy.

To everyone else, have a wonderful week!

Good morning everyone.

Bill-- not sure if I want to have a Monday Monday. That sounds particularly dreadful.

Good morning Silverbirch.

Bargoo-- I'm enjoying coffee from my Keurig now. This morning I've got a coconut chocolate flavor. I love trying new flavors!

Jessica-- hope you get some answers and relief soon. Exciting on the new bike!
I am visualizing your dh chasing and murdering the voles and it isn't a pretty picture-- yuck!

Megan-- I've been really good about exercising the past few years but the past few weeks I've gotten lazy. I've told myself that today I go back to exercising every day (or at least 6 out of 7). I've just been exhausted and achy (thyroid probably but just on the new meds less than a week) but I'm using that as an excuse.

Allison-- does sound like your mom's day was nice! Mine was nice too even though I worked Sat. and Sun. Dh left yesterday for Asia for two weeks so he and I went out Sat. night while dd was at prom. Yesterday afternoon dd and I went shopping with a $200 gift card dd had been awarded from work! We bought a cute sweatshirt for Dewey the puppy (but it's too small--- I can't get it over his big head), we had lunch at a lovely salad restaurant, and I bought two items at Black House, White Market (my fave store!). On sale, I bought a beautiful white dress and a white top. I still have $$ left to spend! Dd tried to talk me into letting her use the rest for herself but I didn't relent.

This afternoon I'm going to an award ceremony for the Read-a-thon. I know my school will be recognized but I don't know the specifics so I'm excited. I plan on wearing the new white dress!

I'm also thinking of scheduling a consult with a chiropractor. My back has been killing me and it isn't getting better. I've tried all the usual remedies and I'm worried about starting my end of year inventory with all of the back breaking moving of books and shelves while I'm in so much pain. I've cut back on exercising to see if that would help and I'm just cranky that I'm not exercising.

Dd (college) was going to get a kitten but it doesn't look like she'll be able to. She was working through a shelter and they contacted her apartment (which supposedly allows pets with a deposit). They said if she didn't have the pet when she moved in (she just moved in), she has to wait at least 6 months to get one and can only get a cat over 1 year (she wants a kitten). We are debating adopting one here and driving it up there for her but she is going to "lay low" for awhile. Her other option is craigslist but she would like to know it has been screened for feline leukemia, etc. so she is hesitant to go that route.

Happy Monday to all!

Michele, yeah, I was a little upset that he had killed them, but I think he was really upset/guilty that he did it too so I didn't want to say anything about it. Voles are considered garden pests and most people would just poison them so it's not like he was doing anything that most people wouldn't do. I don't think there was any chasing involved though -- he just picked up the rock and whacked them with a shovel.

Back from the doctor visit. He also seemed to think it was a good idea for me to go to the endo again. This is turning into doctor week for me -- tailbone guy today, foot guy tomorrow, and I just got scheduled with the endo for Thursday. Today's doctor also gave me a prescription for Lyrica to try for chronic pain treatment. I'm going to hold off on starting it until after my endo appointment Thursday.

Michele, I love White House Black Market! I can't go into that store without spending $300 though so I avoid it generally.

Allison, sounds like a fun weekend! Glad the medifast is working out for you.

Megan, ugh, I hate ants. I know you can get back into the swing of things with exercise. Have you considered training for an event to give you some motivation?

Good afternoon everyone! Sounds like everyone had a good weekend. Mine was lots of driving, but pretty good. We had a lot of fun at our Mother's Day luncheon, great food and great company. DH & I took my MIL out on Sunday, that was fun - though our order got lost in the kitchen so it took us over an hour to get our food even though we were there when the doors opened. That was annoying. I had a pretty good weekend exercise wise, got up and went for a run this morning anticipating evening chaos. Our new restaurant opens today and I have no idea what might happen today...

Bargoo - I love my Keurig! We've had one for awhile.

Michele - also love WHBM. I know you will look fabulous at your awards ceremony!

Jessica - cool on the bike, not so cool on the voles. Ick.

Allison - glad you are enjoying Medifast!

Megan - two weekends off in a row is rare for you, wow! The boat sounds fantastic!

Good day everyone!

Busy with all the pets here - lots of grooming!

I tried an elliptical for the first time this morning - interesting. Had no idea what to program in so ignored all the stuff flashing at me and just went with what my body told me was a good cardio workout. I suspect parts of me will be a bit sore tomorrow.

Jessica What brand of bike did you get? I ordered my hybrid last weekend (from some very UNhelpful guys) and will pick it up this Sat. I'm really looking forward to having a decent bike. The beater I've been riding for 2 years is really uncomfortable. I'm also looking into taking a workshop to learn how the gears work and how to use them properly on diffferent terrain.

Good Tuesday all!

Dagmar

Dagmar, I got a Trek Lexa SL. They gave me a discount on it so it ended up being about $975. Expensive compared to my old bike, but entry-level for a road bike. The cheapest model of Lexa is more like $650-$750 but I thought it was worth a couple hundred extra for the better shifters and gears.

I'm working from home today to make it easier for me to get to my podiatrist and back (it's closer to my house than to my office). Considering asking for Thursday afternoon off to go to my endocrinology appt since that is 30 mins drive away and will take half the afternoon anyway, which is more time than I can make up by working through lunch. The weather is beautiful right now so working from home is really nice -- Carter and I are hanging out with the windows and back door open listening to all the birds chirping. Now I just have to get all my injuries better so I can go out and enjoy it!

The podiatrist gave me a referral to physical therapy. Now my biggest concern is my insurance's annual limit on physical therapy visits -- 20 visits per year allowed ($25 copay per visit up to 20 visits, after which I pay 100% of the bill for any additional visits) and I already did 13 for my tailbone. Standard treatment for plantar fasciitis is 12 visits. If it works then I'm willing to pony up the $$ to pay for the extra visits. I think if my doc calls my insurance and complains they may be able to authorize additional visits.

I hear you, Jessica, on the calculations that go into the time off needed for doctor appointments & whether we can make up the time or need to put in formal requests. My calendar has three rather enigmatic-looking appointments this week. I hope they make my manager a bit nervous. She would not like to have to replace me just now, when they're looking at two new hires. (Generally, I help train these people when they come onboard.) Anyway, I'm making my slightly dented ego feel better just now by perusing Monster.com & Media Bistro. I had never even glanced at these sites before. But contemplating infidelity to my current employer after years of service feels quite good.

I am still feeling low in spirits, but the gorgeous weather keeps tugging at my sleeve, trying to get my attention & to cheer me up. I need to go birding this coming weekend. Probably up at the Rockefeller's place. I took a walk in the park along the river Sunday, but all the bicycles whizzing past me were not conducive to my really sinking into the atmosphere. Some of them were being ridden by small children who haven't quite mastered balance or steering yet. I worried about them falling over or crashing into things. (Which some of them did.) Not to mention all the goose turds on the pavement. Why do I think the park is such a pleasant place? Really, it isn't. Only the idea of it is, when I'm not actually walking in it.

Jessica~in my experience, physical therapists are more than happy to work with you for only a few of sessions and to teach you exercises you can do at home. If you're nice and explain your insurance obstacle, I'm sure they'd be willing to do that for you.

Saef~even if you don't go through with it, is good to keep on top of what is out there, you know, just in case.

I'm looking forward to this weekend. DH and I will take off early Friday and drive down to San Diego. We have reservations for a nice evening Friday and then Saturday we'll get up and golf. Late in the afternoon we'll attend a wedding and reception. All this is at the same resort. Sunday we'll drive back home. It sure is nice having a built-in dog/cat sitter (namely DS)!

The weather here is weird. It didn't even hit 80 yesterday and the low was below 60 last night. DD said it poured rain in Fullerton last night and we woke to dark clouds overhead this morning (they've since cleared, but it is still quite cool).

I'm (or I should say we) are progressing quite well on Medifast. I'm down 3 pounds in less than a week, so I am quite pleased. Of course, this weekend will throw us off course, but we'll manage.

Saef, it is frustrating to try to sort out when to request time off. I think technically I am allowed to count all my time at doctor appointments as sick time, but it feels sneaky to do that. Usually I just make up the time by working through lunch for a couple days, but I have three doctor appointments this week which doesn't leave me with enough lunches to make it up. The whole leave system is so confusing -- I get unlimited sick time with no approval required, which isn't tracked officially (although I'm sure they'd fire me if I was "sick" every Friday afternoon!), but I have to use vacation time for anything else which is much more strict and requires approval. Then our vacation time request system is really bad and difficult to use, so I don't even know if I put in the request properly (and there is no way to check). I typically put in a request, then send my manager an email to tell him what I was trying to request, so if what he gets isn't want I wanted he can reject it and I can try again.

I hope the nice weather can pull you out of the doldrums. I like how you put this -- "contemplating infidelity to my current employer." I understand that thrill! Last time I was annoyed at still not getting promoted I looked up jobs online and found one (at the level I'm trying to get promoted to) which calls for my exact skills and experience, which made me feel pretty good. Not that I applied for it, but it's nice to know that there are jobs out there for someone like me if I decided to quit.

Allison, sounds like medifast is working out well for you. Have fun this weekend!

So at some point when I had the door open a fly flew into the house. I haven't been able to get it with the flyswatter yet. Poor Carter, who is afraid of flies (literally), is hiding upstairs. I need to kill this fly already so my dog will chill out. Dagmar, any tips for teaching a dog to not be afraid of flies?

Jessica-- sorry but I'm LOL at Carter being afraid of flies!

My time off situation is weird. I only get two paid days off a year (I work a school year so I get plenty of holidays though). I have sick days but I obviously can only take them if I'm sick. Doctor visits count but they won't get a sub for me so if I'm absent, the library is closed so I usually work unless I'm really quite ill. It is frustrating to me to have to take days without pay though when I go out of town when I have so many "sick" days. I'm too honest to use a sick day though.