Now speculatively staring at the black squirrels that ransack my mother's backyard birdfeeders and the hanging suet.

So that's what those tree-rats are good for.

I had an on-plan weekend, mostly laptop work and the gym, though one trip to an antique shop to retrieve my tuned-up clock. This what it looks like.

http://p2.la-img.com/1257/24448/8841508_1_l.jpg

A Connecticut clockmaker named Riley Whiting made it sometime in the 1830s.

It has a wooden works inside it, not metal, but I fell for the carving, which resembles that on furniture of the period.

The clock won't chime the hour or the half hour, because the wooden works are so worn. (I don't recall the exact details of the clock guy's explanation, but he said this could be repaired for about $80, and I'll think about that.) And I am now trying to acquire the habit of winding it daily, to keep it running. It's good for old clocks to run.

Things like this keep me sane, because I like them better than food. As I said, I had a black moment yesterday morning, thinking, "What in life gives me pleasure?" I couldn't think of anything. But then I go look at something like this and it makes me happy that some man in Connecticut made it over 100 years ago.

I love your clock. Your apartment is going to be so beautiful when it is done. Are you going to invite us all to your housewarming ?

saef, it's gorgeous! Have to admit I'm even more curious about what the inside of it looks like - I cannot imagine creating a clock with wooden guts. Marvelous!

So now I've added squirrel to the roster of venison, boar, pheasant, quail, grouse, wild turkey, woodcock, turtle, frog, alligator, cobra, elk, bison, antelope, rattlesnake :chin: I know I'm missing a few others. As I've mentioned before, not being a picky eater has been a significant contributor to my weight concerns!

My ticker's updated. Not the horror I expected and not that much worse than a typical weekend blip. Count me back in the saddle again. Before I went to bed, I checked the local pool schedule and discovered that deep water aerobics starts again tomorrow! Yay! It will still be a challenging week, as DS12 has 4 rehearsals before Saturday night's concert. DH stepped up and will take him to Wednesday's practice, thank goodness. I see some Subway in the lineup this week!

Beautiful clock, saef!

I just don't know about the squirrel. I have had rattlesnake, though. And emu. And alligator. So who knows.

I'm not changing my ticker. My weekend resulted in a 2 pound gain, but like most Monday weigh-ins, that's about par for the course.

My ticker is as close to being accurate as it has for a long time, still slightly over goal but 13.4 pounds less than the first of the year. Still want to move down.

Now I realize I've posted the clock pictures in the slimming forum, rather than in the chat forum.

They're usually next to each other. I didn't look hard enough before I leaped.

I forgot. And I was the one complaining ... Pot, meet kettle.

Now I need to think of what non-standard meats I've eaten. :lol: Venison, bison, elk, snake, alligator, emu (or was it ostrich? I don't recall), frog, snails, ants . . . That probably covers the animals. But on the other hand I've also eaten chicken trachea, chicken sternum, tripe, tongue, liver, and pig's blood soup. I've never killed my own food though, this has all been at restaurants! Oh wait, I guess I killed the ant I ate in Australia.

We ended up hiring the higher-priced in-home sitter for Carter and now are in the process of getting our vacation approved. Then next up is plane tickets, then hotels. I'm trying to decide between a red eye (= extra half day off work but extra full day at destination, but more jet lag) and an all-day flight (one day less at destination, but less jet lag and less travel time). The all-day one looks tempting but it only has a one hour layover in Toronto and I'm not sure if that's long enough for an international connection. Dagmar, I assume you've been in the Toronto airport enough times, do you know?

Weight is up a little after this weekend, but I did my run today so hopefully it will go back down this week. I can't decide whether or not I should bother trying to get to 133. It seems like every time I get close I just go back up to 135/136 again.

Speaking of hormones, TOM still has not arrived since I've been off of BC (hopefully will be due this week), but the lack of BC is having some obvious effects on my hormones. I haven't turned into a raving lunatic yet, but I have to say going off it has restored my libido and resolved related issues. :o In any case on the one hand I'd like it if TOM arrived on the same schedule I had before, but on the other hand I'm spending this weekend cooped up with my in-laws, which is not the best scenario if I end up with super PMS.

DH called me from work @ 6:25 to say he was leaving. I am ready to eat the desk, keyboard, papers on the desk. We only have dinner together 2 nights during the week now so I'm trying to wait for him and it's really tough. :stress:

And I want my computer back. Which keeps telling me one of the connections is unplugged. Darned if I can find it!

I think I'll go and stand in the warm wind in the backyard for a bit, maybe blow my frustration away.

Dagmar :tired: and :hungry:

[QUOTE=saef
Things like this keep me sane, because I like them better than food. As I said, I had a black moment yesterday morning, thinking, "What in life gives me pleasure?" I couldn't think of anything. But then I go look at something like this and it makes me happy that some man in Connecticut made it over 100 years ago.[/QUOTE]

I only have to look over at my cats (:yikes: is Mud puking yet again - LOL just kidding) to see who makes me happy. And to think about the dogs. Today Lucy was running full out on the beach with a bunch of other youngsters. Suddenly she turned, raced over to me, and buried her head in my knees for a couple of seconds, her looong tail wagging furiously. Then she raced away to continue her game.

Hap has now figured out how to open the sunglasses drop down thing in my car. I say "glasses" and she pops it open with her nose. I take them out and she pushes it closed. The only reward she wants for this is a "good girl". She gets lots of those from me.

Dagmar :D

Down another .6 lbs. I have the "memorial' dinner for Solo tonite. Ribs are being served. I will eat some of everything and cut back some on the "everyday" cals Wed. Sometimes the event is more important than the diet.

I did provide myself with some incentive by buying a sheath dress (in the almond colour) from BR this morning - on sale and 25% off on top of the sale price.

http://bananarepublic.gapcanada.ca/b...d=1&pid=450157

Nice and summery and it goes well with the "new" pre-owned Coach bag I bought last week from eBay.

Good Tuesday all!

Dagmar :cool:

Love the dress, you will look stunning. From your previous posts I know you have some beautiful dresses, I always think of you in sweats with the dogs !

WooHoo! My 2 pound blip from the weekend is now only half a pound!

Cute dress! Although I'd probably have gotten black. Neutral shades like almond don't work well with my skin tone. Hope the party goes well and not too many tears are shed. You made me laugh last night when I imagined the dog opening the glasses compartment in your car!

Down 1.5 (from the 4.0 up). I made my first post in the food accountability thread last night. I'm in that ticked-off penitent stage where it's easy to be on plan.

Dagmar, I'm envying you the ribs. I don't think I've had them since last fall. Are you wearing a light-colored dress to eat ribs? You're far braver (and neater) than I am! ;) It's a beautiful dress and you will be amazing in it!

jessica, sounds like you're having an interesting ride with getting off the hormones. Perhaps having a wild libido while at the in-laws isn't the best scenario either? :rofl: Or it could be a good way to not get invited back for a while!

bargoo, how's the grandbaby doing? Is DS coping with the lack of sleep?

allison, congrats on the quick blip removal! 140's, here we come!

LOL Becky, TOM finally arrived this morning so hopefully the worst of it will be over by the time we go for the weekend. :lol:

Dagmar, that is too cute about the sunglasses!

Well, I got my vacation approved at work and booked my plane tickets to England. Woohoo! Now I need to find a hotel in London and figure out what we're doing for the rest of our trip. I wonder if my credit card points will let me book a hotel there?

Allison and Becky, good work on showing a loss.
I'm still holding steady, a little over goal, but still over goal.