I was actually feeling a little bad for kids who have the same GPA as Jane but don't get the Summa Cum Laude, but they do get the gold cord. And the dreaded Dipali was one of those kids, so that didn't break my heart.

She's going to be a counselor at the camp we've attended for family camp since she was 2 (and I attended, and my mom before me) and she's been attending as a regular camper since she was 7. The last two years she worked dish crew there, but this year she's 18 and can be a counselor. She's got mixed feelings about it since it's her last summer to spend with her friends here, but she's only committed for two weeks at the beginning of summer and two at the end, so she'll still be home a good portion of the summer.

Oh, you were on the south rim -- did you walk out onto the glass floor thing?

Yay for you! Good grief on your brother's altitude sickness! I wonder how common that is?


Nice! I've been wanting to go to New Orleans! I was there for a very short visit (like several hours) in my early twenties when I'd driven down to Texas to bring my sister home from a jobhunting trip and we swung through New Orleans just to say we'd seen it.



One thought -- maybe after last year when the comments became overwhelming to you, maybe they're reluctant to say anything, even if to them it feels like a compliment?

Sorry, must have just forgotten. Still holding steady at 2.2 under goal, went to class this morning and Monday morning. Two brutal workouts! I had a nice NSV last week when I had picked up several bags of mulch and compost, some of which weigh 40 pounds. Two years ago I would have had to call John to come move them for me -- I wouldn't have even been able to get them out of the trunk for fear that I'd throw my back out, and wouldn't have been able to get them to wherever I wanted them because they were just too heavy for me to carry. But I got them out of the car and to where I wanted them nearly with ease. My back and upper body strength are that much better. Haven't been to WW for over a month, though, because Tuesdays lately have either been overbooked or it's been a good morning to work in the yard. I keep meaning to go!

????? Who/what is (a) Dipali???

What a neat family tradition!! How old will Jane's campers be? Does she enjoy working with kids?

No, we didn't get there. It was like 200 miles away and ridiculously expensive by the time the entrance fees, parking fees, and shuttle fees were factored in. I wanted to do it, but no one else did.

I don't know, but the very possibility scared me, since I've always thought of my brother as being in FAR better shape than I could ever hope to achieve!


I've never seen New Orleans at all, or even been anywhere near it, and I've always wanted to visit there.



You could be right. It is a touchy subject with me, at least where they are concerned, and I'm sure they are aware of that.

All great news, especially the part about being able to carry the bags of mulch! I had a similar experience recently with a 50-pound bag of salt for my water softener. Isn't it amazing how much stronger we have become? (BTW, one of the things my friends did notice and comment on was the fact that I can now easily lift my arms over my head and can pull a t-shirt off without bending over at the waist and letting my arms hang down like I used to have to, which they were very impressed by!)

report: Bad day today, or at least a bad night, during which I had a major NS dessert-fest. It was precipitated by a combination of ambivalence about my latest eHarmony match, sadness over the changes in my relationship with my friends (even though things were definitely better than last year, I still feel that I am outgrowing them in many ways), and a growing desire for another major shift in my eating habits (wanting to get away from processed food, which means weaning myself off NS food, scary as **** since I have such an aversion to cooking and am such a picky eater). That led to the old bugaboo of thinking that I'd better eat all of the desserts now, because I'm going to give them up. Totally stupid. But I threw the rest of them in the garbage (trash pick-up is tomorrow). This evening I read two entire books in one sitting. One is called "Fit2Fat2Fit", which has been in the news a lot lately. It was written by a personal trainer who intentionally stopped exercising and started living on processed/fast food for six months (gaining 75 pounds in the process), then went back to his old healthy habits, in an effort to understand what his overweight clients go through. It was fascinating. The other was written by Bob Harper (from Biggest Loser) and laid out 20 rules for skinny eating. I don't think I can necessarily follow his menus (too many ingredients I don't like), but I think I can still follow the rules by adapting the menus to my own tastes. I still have a lot of NS food on hand but am going to start gradually reducing my reliance on it, and I am going to call tomorrow and cancel my auto-delivery (which I am still on after 3.5 years!!). And of course I will continue with the Beck tasks. Maybe I am making too much of this, but weaning myself from NS, particularly the cooking component, feels to me like as big of a lifestyle change as going on NS was originally. Giving up the diet soda was a big step in that direction, and I'm ready to take the next big step now. Now it will be about health rather than losing weight. That alone is a big shift in thinking.

Hope you had a great day!

Dipali is Jane's former friend who started dating Jane's ex after having called Jane a jealous crazy ***** because Jane couldn't understand why Dipali and Ritvik (the ex) would hang out together alone so much. We don't exactly hope for Dipali to be miserable, but when the -best- things don't happen for her, we also don't cry.

She really loves kids. She babysits for my friend Sue's grandkids for free when Sue needs to run errands without the kids -- or tries to, though often Sue insists on paying her. She won't know what age group she'll have until she gets the next week's assignment each week, but she's hoping for 10-11 year olds. They're the most fun and the easiest. The younger kids get homesick and need to be taken to the bathroom in the middle of the night. The older kids want to sneak out of the cabent at night and go meet boys.



I've heard it's a very strange feeling to be out on the glass floor.

Wow, that difference in mobility/strength must be making a big difference in your life.

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear it!

Both are probably going to be ongoing issues for you to deal with, it seems.

On the positive side: because you have an extremely high tolerance for food routine, learning to cook for yourself is going to be a snap. You probably don't need to learn to make more than a couple of breakfasts, maybe five lunches, maybe ten dinners. And I definitely applaud you for wanting to get away from the processed food! Let me know how I can help. If you want to start making one new recipe a week and just put it into weekly rotation and build each week, by two months from now you could be eating mostly unprocessed foods.


Been there.

Yes, it is! Yay, you, for wanting to be HEALTHY as a primary goal!

Report: weighed (.8 under goal, so that's okay -- we went out for pizza last night with the extended family to celebrate Jane's graduation and that of her cousin Caroline, so I deserve to be up. No wine-induced snackfest when I got home, so that's a plus. Got up this morning before my alarm rang for class, got dressed, and was drinking my first cup of coffee when I realized, duh, it's THURSDAY. No class.

[QUOTE=va1erie;4362627]Dipali is Jane's former friend who started dating Jane's ex after having called Jane a jealous crazy ***** because Jane couldn't understand why Dipali and Ritvik (the ex) would hang out together alone so much. We don't exactly hope for Dipali to be miserable, but when the -best- things don't happen for her, we also don't cry. [/QUOTE[

LOL!!! Oh, so Dipali IS a who and not a what!!! Or not.........

Yes, but Jane will know how to handle those kids who want to sneak out to meet boys, because she once was one one of them!! That's great that she likes kids so much. I actually think that having the capacity to enjoy children is a big component of a well-adjusted, healthy personality.



I'm sure it is! Part of the reason that my friends soured on the idea is that the tour guide on the bus tour we took told us that the glass walkway was built by Native Americans as a way to rake in big bucks from the tourists in lieu of building a casino, and that it's a total racket. He was very harsh in his judgment of it.

For sure! Sometimes I forget just how much, but I really need to keep reminding myself so that I remember exactly why I never want to go back there.



Unfortunately, I'm sure that is true. The counseling is helping me, though. Without that, I suspect I would have imploded already from the stress of dealing with the dating issues.

Yes, my tolerance--PREFERENCE, really--for limited variety and for very simple plain foods will definitely work in my favor here. In fact, I don't need anywhere near 10 or probably even 5 different options! I've been living on just two different NS lunches for all this time, and about 4 or 5 different dinners. And I would be happy to have just one or two breakfasts. Today I managed to follow Bob Harper's rules without cooking at all; I just bought a pre-cooked turkey and pre-cooked boiled shrimp at the grocery store, and was perfectly happy.


I know. I would imagine that anyone who has ever struggled with weight can say the same.

It feels like the logical and necessary next step in what has been a very long evolution in my thinking and behavior.

YAY for no wine-induced snackfest! You seem to be doing better with that issue lately. LOL that you were dressed for class on the wrong day!!

I didn't weigh this morning and won't for a couple of days, simply because I want to concentrate on my behavior rather than the feedback the scale is giving me. Once again I could not sleep last night, didn't fall asleep until after 8AM, barely woke up in time for my personal training session, and am still exhausted. I still haven't adjusted to the 3-hour time change. But I had a really intense session. Am about to go to bed now and will be going to bed rather hungry (one of Bob Harper's skinny rules and one I haven't been doing well with lately; late night is the time I struggle most with my desire to overeat).

Have a great day tomorrow!

There you go! And I gave you the instructions for both poached boneless skinless chicken breast and for fish baked in milk. So there are four proteins right there! And you've done sauteed zucchini, too, I think? Concentrate on deeply colored veggies -- sweet potatoes, carrots, dark leafy greens such as spinach and broccoli, red and green peppers -- and on whole grains. Brown rice is easy but not fast; I can give you instructions for that, too, if you like it. Quinoa is a mild-tasting, very easy to make, VERY nutritious whole grain. For salads, go for dark green lettuces instead of iceberg. Iceberg is pretty much just crunchy water.


I'll have to look for that book at the library!

Didn't weigh this morning, but I ate very reasonably yesterday even though we put the dog down. Running late to get to my "meeting" and tomorrow I have the market, family in from out of town and a grad party, so it's possible I won't be in here until Sunday, but I'll try to find a few minutes!

Yep, I have those recipes you gave me. I especially loved the fish one. Harper's book mentions quinoa. Can you describe the taste for me?


I think it just came out recently, so the library is probably featuring it. My trainer told me he saw Bob Harper on TV hawking that book.

Oh, I'm so very sorry to hear about the dog. Losing a beloved pet is like losing a member of the family. Hope the graduation party is a wonderful celebration!

Didn't weigh this morning. Did a lot of heavy cleaning, which I turn into a game to move as much as possible (playing music, dancing around, etc.). I had a great counseling session with my therapist. Tomorrow I plan to walk to the gym for a workout. See you Sunday if not before!

It's a very mild, very tiny grain. Looks more like a seed than a grain. Sort of the texture of plain rice, but chopped finer and a little wetter, if that makes sense, because it's so small and it's a whole grain so still has its hull, which soaks up water. A mild taste, a little nutty in the way whole wheat and brown rice tastes nutty but milder, closer to pasta or bread. Most people who like rice, pasta, bread, potatoes would like the taste and find the texture unchallenging.




I put it on hold!



Yes, it was a drag. He'd become more and more incontinent over the past year, and in the past three weeks would simply pee in his bed and then lie in it, poor guy. It was time. He would have been 16 in August, and as a lab/golden cross that meant he'd broken most records. Goldens typically live 12-13 years and labs 12-14. He was a service dog, trained by Canine Companions for Independence up in Delaware, which we got when we didn't know what Michael's capabilities would turn out to be. But he ended up simply a well-trained pet. When I called CC to let them know, they were astounded he was still alive.

Was up early this morning (forgot again to weigh!) so I managed to get in here. Busy day -- I'll be heading for the market to help set up in about 45 minutes, then home to finish getting ready for my cousin's visit and the party. My cousin, who loves me and wouldn't care if my house looked like a crime scene, is one of the most meticulous housekeepers I've ever met. So even though I know I'm her favorite relative I always feel like I've not quite managed to get the house and yard where I'd like before I have her here!

Bob Harper's book recommends quinoa over brown rice, or maybe that was Fit2Fat2Fit?? Anyway, I hate nuts in any shape or form, so maybe I wouldn't like quinoa. But I'd be willing to give it a try.




YAY!



Wow, he was part of your family for a very long time. It sounds like his was a life well-lived, though, and he was obviously loved. I'm so sorry for the loss.
But like you said yourself, she'll love you anyway!! She's coming to visit you all and celebrate Jane's graduation, not judge your housekeeping and gardening skills!

I still haven't weighed myself (intentionally). It was 92 degrees today, so I walked in the mall rather than walking to the gym, AND I also worked out for two hours straight at the gym. Read my cards. Followed my eating plan. Tolerated a lot of hunger (am starving right now and hope I can sleep!).

Hope you are having a wonderful, celebratory weekend!! Savor every moment!

Do you like brown rice or whole wheat bread? That's the level of "nuttiness" I'm talking about. It doesn't taste like any nut, but the flavors have something in common.






Thanks! He was a good dog.




I still haven't weighed myself (intentionally). It was 92 degrees today, so I walked in the mall rather than walking to the gym, AND I also worked out for two hours straight at the gym. Read my cards. Followed my eating plan. Tolerated a lot of hunger (am starving right now and hope I can sleep!).

Hope you are having a wonderful, celebratory weekend!! Savor every moment![/QUOTE] Had a great weekend with my cousin! Didn't overeat at the party or dinner or breakfast this morning. I'm taking Jane up to camp tomorrow morning and will stay with Gwen (my cuz) tomorrow night. Didn't weigh today, must remember to tomorrow when I get up for class before leaving for camp.

Yeah, I like brown rice and whole wheat bread just fine. I wouldn't describe those as nutty!
Glad you had such a good weekend! Have a safe trip, and check in if you can..

Had a good day today. Went to the gym for an hour and a half and am very sore! Made plans for another date with my latest eHarmony match. We're going to take a hike on Wed.

If that's not the "nutty" you dislike, you'll probably like quinoa fine!


I'm taking my laptop with me, but I'm spending the night at Gwen and Russ's so not sure what my free time will be. I know they want to go out to some place called Vintage Estates. They're party animals.

Hope you have nice weather!

Report: weighed (1.8 under goal, yay!), didn't get to class this morning before we left as I'd planned. Helping Jane finish her packing, and then we'll be on the road!

Have a great day!

It's worth a try!


Looks like you didn't get on here today, so you must have had lots of fun last night! I didn't make it on here last night, so I guess we're even, although I'm sure you were having more fun than I was. I have an ear infection that is driving me absolutely crazy. I went to the doctor today for some medication, and he said it's a fungus that I probably picked up in the gym. Ugh. I fell asleep on the couch last night and ended up staying there all night. I woke up this morning with the TV and lights still on, and still dressed.



Yay for being under goal!! Hope you had a good trip.

I went to my personal training session (at which I sweat more than I ever have in my life, I suspect) today even though I felt so lousy. Ate about 1350 calories. Read my cards. I'm off to bed now.

I canceled my date for tomorrow because I am definitely not feeling up to it at this point.

Can't wait to hear about your trip!

Yeah, yesterday was a long day -- spent the night at my cousin's after going out with her and her husband and other friends from camp, drove home, then drove a friend to get our monthly peel from the lady who sells us our facial care products, got home late and went straight to bed. BUT I got a good night's sleep the last two nights, so yay for that.

Bummer on the ear infection! Ugh is right! Hope you can get it under control soon. Gyms are a little scary! You just know there's all sorts of trace bodily fluids being left pretty much everywhere.







Because of the ear infection?

Had a very nice trip, though Jane slept the ENTIRE way up, which was a bummer. We left early and she'd come in late from a last evening out with friends. I hope she has a good two weeks.

Report: didn't weigh this morning. Grr. Oh, well. Ate reasonably the last two days, though I did drink several beers at Vintage Estate and my cousin and I had a small beer-induced snackfest after. But I feel okay about it.

Hope you're feeling better today!

Wow, that does sound like a very long day! I'm so impressed that you get a facial peel every MONTH!!! (I've never had one in my life!) YAY for two nights of good sleep--something to celebrate for sure!

Yeah, I try not to think too much about all of the microorganisms at the gym. I did make sure to carefully clean every surface after I touched it so as not to pass along the joy. I feel a little better today but still in a lot of pain.







Exacty.

Wouldn't it be nice to be able to sleep the way teenagers do?

YAY for reasonable eating!

I didn't do a lot today other than make a lot of phone calls to schedule a bunch of appointments. Ate about 1450 calories, got no exercise, read my cards. I need to get going on Beck tasks again.

Hope you got another good night's sleep!

THURSDAY: Had a really intense training session. Went to see the play Mamma Mia with four colleagues at the campus PAC--awesome!! We went out to dinner first, and I had a lunch portion of fettucine with chicken and broccoli with the sauce on the side. A very busy and productive day.

I get it because I buy her products -- the company she works for uses it as a way to make sure customers see anything new and get a chance to order replacements instead of defecting to something easier to get.



Man, that's a bummer. I think I've had an ear infection -once- and it was not pleasant.








Whoops, sorry! I didn't even realize I hadn't gotten in here. The days all sort of run together during the summer for me. I don't know what I'm going to do to keep track of the when both kids are gone this fall, or when John retires! I'll just have one long blur of days and will never know what day it is.

Weighed -- up, to .4 below goal, so must get on that again. Haven't eaten badly but I've had three nights this week that I was out somewhere having a glass of wine, so that's likely it. Am probably not going to my class as I've been up since 1 and am hoping to get back to sleep. Gah. Oh, well. I had three good nights this week!

Hope you had a great day!