Kiko, I remember going to my mom's school to help her get her classroom set up for the year. She used to teach at a school for kids with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. I loved helping her out so much! We used to go in with her on days we had off and she had school and I think those are big reasons why I went into teaching.

Kara

Morning, Chicakdoolollies!

Cottage: I hope that Maggie's okay! And WTG making Curves your priority this week!

Kitty: Welcome back! Hope the excel-work goes smoothly. Excel can be such a pain sometimes!

Missmess: How exciting! I remember getting my dress taken care of being my favorite part of our wedding preparations. I'm sure it will be fun and you will look stunning!

Kaeurl: to the beach! Grab a towel and chat; this group is great!

Schatzers: Been missing you around here! It's just not the same without your hilarious commentary on things! Hope they reimburse you quickly and that you're getting frequent flyer miles.

Kara: WTG getting your five miles in. It can definitely be hard to pick back up where you left off if your exercise gets messed with. That time change on the flight would definitely throw me off!

Lisa: Sounds like you need a nap! Hope work isn't too long!

Jessie: You made a gorgeous bride! Hope you have a wonderful day!

Barb: I really envy you and Brian and ya'lls trip to San Antonio. Did I ever mention that I grew up there? I lived there until I was 20 and really miss it sometimes! I love the zoo and Sea World - you guys will have so much fun!

Kiko: I'll wait with you. I can't imagine where that whoosh fairy is! She'll probably show up on the 2nd of August, just to tick us off!

LC: Thank goodness I don't have that problem. I think I'd go into withdrawals if I didn't get to check in most days!

ME: This weekend was much more productive than I anticipated. The boys got the trees down and then bbq-ed the night away. I got the house SPOTLESS, even having time to empty the laundry hamper and reorganize several cabinets, drawers, etc. Sunday was spent relaxing, although I did get the checkbook balanced and budgeted for the month of August. With all of our company coming in, we have a lot of extra expenses.

Barb had asked about our crocheting party on Wednesday. Well, one of my coworkers is pregnant, one just had a grandbaby, and then there's me, who will be having children within the next year or so. So, we all asked our other coworker, at separate times, if she would teach us to crochet. Since all three of us want to learn, I thought, let's just all get together at my house so she only has to teach us once. So, that's what we're doing - all bringing finger-foods, yarn, and hooks, and learning together. I really can't wait - it sounds like a lot of fun!

Well, I'd better get to work. Not much to do today, but I could at least try to look busy. I hope everyone has a great day!

Kim, a crocheting party sounds like the perfect dieting excursion! If your hands are busy, there's no room for eating! Make something really big!!!

LC, glad you finally got a chance to check in. Connor is getting to the age where he wants to use the computer for his games (Lego Star Wars, anyone?!) and he's always saying, "Mom, are you checking e-mail *again*?!"

I had to log on one more time because I'm so excited that I just ordered The Best Life Diet Daily Journal and an exercise ball off of Amazon for $30 altogether, free shipping! That will be the perfect thing to keep me on track over vacation!!! I was really worried about slipping into one of those "one more can't hurt" cycles that I'm uber-famous for, but this will keep me on top of my game! Yea!

Tom says we're too peppy and cheerleadery. I don't think he understands how important that is! I've lurked around some of the other parts of the site, and we definitely have the best group down here. Thanks for all your support!!! I love coming here!

Kara

We have a "craft group" that meets during our breaks at work. One lady cross-stitches, two quilt, and I crochet. It's a great reason to get up from my desk and have some chat time!

Cottage-How do you like Curves? I have heard mixed things about it. Enjoy your workouts!

Kitty-I too love Excel. I've used it for years in my last job for data and now is this job, I am actually using formulas for budget purposes. It's a great tool to know!


Missmess-Do send pics of your wedding dress. I loved the whole dress shopping and fittings. I only got married 16 months ago. Wait until you try it on for the last time with the veil and see the whole thing together. I couldn't stop crying.

Kaurel-Sounds like you had a busy week. Hope this week is less hectic for you. Welcome back!

Schatzi-Don't you just love working from home. There is something to be said about working in your pajamas.

Kara-Have you always run? I would like to start, but just seem to lose stamina so quickly.

JessieW-Look how beautiful you look in your wedding dress. Did you just feel like a princess for the day. I certainly did....

Barb-Enjoy your well deserved vacation. I've heard San Antonio is just awesome. Safe travels!

Kiko-Have a great day. You must be close to getting ready for school to start. Seems like you've been a busy bee preparing.

Little Chick-Morning! Have a great day and hope you are able to get your computer time.

Kim-Have a fabulous day on the beach!

Me-I finally feel rejuvenated after a relaxing weekend. I watched 6 movies and made lots of jewelry. I just taught myself how to make it and now I am obsessed. I've hit all the bead stores around and am trying to find sites on line. I am hesitant to buy too much for fear of me getting over it like I did with scrapbooking. I did that for 3 or 4 years, have everything imaginable, and now haven't touched it in 2 years maybe.

Looks like I have lost any weight I may have put on on vacation. Also TOM (sorry Kara) has come and gone so am back down to 198. Still have a ways to go and really need to start exercising. If even just walking, I really need to get mobile.

Thanks to whomever suggested Taking Control of your Fertility. I bought it and started reading this weekend. Bought a digital themometer and have started the charting process. Keeping my fingers crossed that with some education, something will happen this month.

Cheers everyone. Have a great day on the beach!

I put Taking Charge of Your Fertility on my wishlist at paperbackswap. I don't need it *quite* yet but will definitely check it out when the time comes!!

Good morning all. I'm taking a sick day today. The Neurologist put me on some new meds that make me dizzy - so even though I take it at night, the new dose of 600mgs of Gabapentin for my MP knocked me for a loop. I woke up this morning, and couldn't even open my eyes with out the room spinning! It's getting better, but still not good enough that I feel comfortable driving to work. So, DH is taking the day off too just to keep an eye on me to make sure I'm OK.

Other than that - I'm doing great! The meds are doing wonders for my pain - I just hope when I have to up the dose to 900 mgs, I can tolerate it better.

I did really REALLY bad with eating this weekend. I spent the entire weekend at my parent's house canning beets and squash - and I'm one of those people who forgets to eat. Saturday I had a Light'N'Fit 4 oz yogurt, 2 slices of real bacon, and a Salaburry Steak patty. Sunday - another yogurt, and a chicken sandwich on 9 grain, 3 seed ww bread. That's it. One day of food stretched out over 2 days - and no veggies. I've got to remember to eat when I get busy! LOL

On the up side, I've broken into the 250s - so that's 27lbs gone this month! Because I'm not feeling well, I probably won't be able to stomach much today either. The eggs I had this morning aren't sitting well.

I hope everyone has a great day!

Hi chicks, not a great way to start the week, I set my alarm for 7 but must have turned it off. I woke up at 9 and had a telecon at 9:15. I just now finally had my coffee and feel like I'm just now waking up. At least I didn't sleep through the telecon! Definitely time to get my brain out of vacation mode.
Motivation Monday is exactly what I need, I want to tighten up my eating habits this week. I'm still OP, but I notice I've been much more open to little cheats lately, haven't been drinking my water, haven't been getting all my veggies, time for a wake up call before I undo all my good work. My niece goes home tomorrow, vacation are over, and I can get back into my routine.

Shequila, I'm like that too, when I get into something, I go overboard. I never did scrapbooking, but I love to make jewelry, and have boxes of beads sitting around here. I used to sew, cross-stitch, and do all kinds of crafty things. I don't have much time for it these days, and I miss it. But you sure can drop some money on it!
Kim, I'm jealous of your clean house, mine is a mess and I don't have time to take care of it right now. I don't like to clean, but I love the results.
Hi littlechick, We've missed you. I can't wait for back to school either, it truly is the most wonderful time of the year.
Kiko, glad you had some fun, and I hope the whoosh fairy visits you this week. Did the tooth fairy come last night?
Jessie, thanks for sharing the pictures, you look so pretty!
Schatzi, glad to see you posting! Working at home is the bomb.
Hugs, Lisa.
Kara, I'm sure you're getting very excited for your trip. My DD also had a different name for the first six weeks of her life. They messed up her birth certificate, so we had to get it corrected, and since we were doing that, we decided to change her name too. Her pediatrician still calls her the first name, hee.
Morning cottage, hope all is well with Maggie.
Kitty, glad to have you back!
missmess take some pictures!
Kaeurl, hello there! My kids got into horseback riding last year and they've really enjoyed it. It's all new to me, at least it's a change from dance!

Hope I didn't miss anyone. You guys have a great Monday!

Hi iammare, missed you the first time. Hope you feel better soon. Funny, but when I'm busy and stressed, the veggies are the first thing to go out the window.

Almost lunchtime, so I think I'll make that apricot/pistachio/goat cheese salad, that's my new favorite, I can't get enough of it!

Afternoon Ladies! Haven't posted in awhile due to a personal funk I was in and things at work being beyond stressful! Didn't want to bring any negatives vibes to the site so just lurked. Finally bit the bullet friday and decided there are something I just can't change. I will accept them with a smile for now and do the best I can given the circumstances! Part of that included deciding I was going to the NASCAR race this weekend in Indianapolis. It is something we do every year and it didn't look like it was going to happen. Had a great time, seats were in the shade which made for an enjoyable race! Was able to wear a halter top that in past years I would not have been seen in in public! OH the things you see at the races LOL! Did suffer one small cheat as the smell of fries seemed to follow me everywhere we walked, ended up caving and sharing an order with hubby. All that walking though is my justification!

Wish I had more time to post personals, but work calls, this is my third attempt at posting today and I guess I will just be happy with that! Planned on posting a pic taken yesterday but darn thing is not making it easy. Guess I will save for another time!

Thanks Missmess. Sorry about your appointment. I know how bummed you must be. It just gives you something to look foward to.

Welcome back pacergal. Sorry you were in a funk, but know you can always come in here and vent. Lord knows we all do it and we are here for you no matter what. Sending you some cyberhugs

Thanks for the hugs girls. I am stressed, and I am tired. I'm basically doing a lot of praying, trying to decide if my husband is ever going to change or if I should get a separation and see if that works. So far, he's not changing, and we've done counseling/therapy, etc. I just can't deal with his anger and depression anymore, but he doesn't seem to want to do anything about it. He enjoys negativity and drama just like his mother, but good luck trying to tell him that, or getting him to do something about the anger and depression.

I know I'll be ok on my own. I just don't want a failed marriage. Deep down under all that anger and mental illness is a man I fell in love with years ago and I'm still clinging to that knowledge even though I haven't seen that man in a very long time.

It's just been rough. So I need all the prayers I can get. Thanks again ladies.

Lisa