GOOD MORNING!

Carolyn, catfish is one of the favorite foods here in Oklahoma! Only we eat it fried! There is a place not far from here that has an all-you-can-eat-catfish night. When Cal was alive, we would go there and put away a huge mound of catfish and hush-puppies! Ummmm Ummmmm! Needless to say, I stay away from there now, since 'fried' is not in my vocabulary any more!

War Emblem let us down, didn't he? I had my fingers crossed for him, but 'twas not to be!

Have a good weekend!

Hugs, Judy

Hey...... where is everyone?????

Judy - Yep catfish... they are good..... hehe..... Apparently Joanna and Tim didn't get a bite and came home about 2:00 a.m. dad said they were so loud when they came home (remember they live next door to one another) that he heard the fish a floppin and all the neighborhood cats were howlin.... such a jokster.....

Yes... War Emblem didn't have it in him after he stumbled.... I hope he wasn't hurt.... Naturally I cried through the whole hour and half before the race, during and afterward.... I don't know what it is with horses that makes me cry..... I purchased a portrait of Secretariat when I was in Lexington a few years back and cried as soon as I saw it and new I had to have it.... ome of my little cousins laughed at me, me crying in the middle of the mall over a horse picture.... she still laughs about it today..... but when something you love so much it touchs your soul and you cry for no reason but for the love it.... one day she will learn how it feels when she finds something so important to her and she loves it, she too will cry.... But War Emblem had a hard time of it yesterday and it just wasn't in the cards.... but nonetheless he is a magnificent animal.........

I am off for now..... gotta feed the animals here.....

Love to all Carolyn.....

It's Monday morning and I'm sitting at my computer in my underwear!! The good news is that I'm not at work!! I have a dentist appt. at 3:00 today and was going to leave work early and then decided to take the whole day off. So there! Spent a couple hours already lounging in bed watching a movie but now guess I should at least get out and about. Hope to hit the gym after the dentist but until then I'm going ... can you guess? ... remember who you're talking to..... I'm going shopping! Who me??

Spent most of Saturday out in the yard and garden and Sunday was a breakfast and Family Feud day at the VFW so NOTHING got done on the kitchen. It's going too slowly. No kitchen should mean that Jo's not overeating, right??? Wrong!! Got on the scale this morning and . What's it going to take to kick me in the b**t!?!?!?! Clothes are getting tight again and I DO NOT want to buy bigger sizes. Whine. Whine. Whine.

Judy and Carolyn, yep, War Emblem didn't do it for us. What were the odds on the winner? 50 to 1? 70 to 1? Something like that. I know a guy who bet big on that horse. Bet he's still partying. Carolyn, I cried when I heard Secretariat died too.

Carolyn, yes, I do remember your englishman. I had one too for a little while there. Remember Mike? Hm, haven't heard from him in a while. Last time I talked to him, he was looking for a job and kept hinting around that I should put in a good word for him and tell him who he should talk to. I felt really used since that seemed to be all he wanted to talk about. Haven't talked to him since.

Judy, how's the new fridge!?!? We got one last year when ours quit in the middle of summer. All the bells and whistles, ice maker, water dispenser, etc. Now if we only had a kitchen to put it in!!

Peggy, I agree with you about tours and knowing someone who can show you the stuff you wouldn't normally see. My friends showed me around England and now they say they're "cramming" so they can show us stuff in Scotland since they haven't lived there that long. I can't wait.

Thanks to everyone who got excited for me about our trip to Scotland. I've calmed down a bit but stick with me. In a couple months, old obsessive Jo will be impossible to live with.

Have to go. Hair's almost dry and there's money to be spent out there! Well, actually there's not much money but hey that's what credit cards are for, right?

Love you guys!
Jo.

Hello everyone - checking in! Had to go to the laundromat this morning and do a few loads - don't have washer/dryer in the cabin. I have to put the clothes away and do bills but 1st things 1st! As we were pulling up to our drive coming back from the laundromat, there stood a beautiful deer - so we turned off our truck and sat and watched. Staring match between us and the deer - after about 10 minutes she/he decided to mosey on into the woods. How cool was that? So we proceeded to turn into our drive and what do we see but mama turkey and her baby turkeys! Never saw baby turkeys before - how cute! So, again, we stopped, shut off motor, and watched. They were so teeny tiny! Took them awhile to cross the drive and get out of site into the woods. How double cool was that? What are baby turkeys called? Baby chickens are called chicklets, baby ducks are called ducklings - do we call babya turkeys turklings? turklets? LOL

I got on the scale this morning (I know, weigh-in not until Thursday, but it showed me down a lb! Maybe, finally, I have broken my plateau, and am back OP and maybe just maybe I will meet my June challenge! 1 down, 4 to go!

Jello: Congratulations on your upcoming trip! SCOTLAND! How wonderful. Now, here is your B.......T KICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good and Hard!!!!! You can do it Jo - you want to, right? Well...... DO IT! All that hard work you put in to losing all those lbs, you don't want to gain them all back do you???? You want to look nice and swelve for your trip, right?

Catfish - I've never had catfish, but have wanted to try it ... now I think I shall have to. You guys are makaing it sound so good.

Well, guess I better get some work done - it's a beautiful day here - warm - sun shining - no rain! Oh, went to the casino last nite - the good news is I played my $20 - won $100 - the bad news is, I sometimes don't know when to stop - so I eventually lost the $80 I won plus the original $20! Boo-hoo! Oh well, easy come, easy go! LOL

OK ... talk to ya all later...

Love, CJ

Have your teeth cleaned! They're so nice and clean and smooth and feel so good that I don't want to eat and "ruin" them! I should go to the dentist every day!!! OK, maybe not.

CJ, seeing all those critters is so cool! I wish I could live in the country and see deer and baby animals, etc. Sadly, most of the deer we see in our area are laying at the side of the road. Where I work, there is a little pond nearby and every spring we get baby ducklings and baby goslings. Cute little puff balls of feathers. But I'd love to see more of that. Hm...?? How many years is it again until I can retire??? BTW, maybe they're just called "baby turkeys"??? Beats me!

Well, the sad news is that I broke down and bought ONE (but only ONE) pair of larger size jeans yesterday. The good news is that they're just a bit loose and with the first washing will probably shrink some. Now I just have to get ME to shrink some.

I stopped at the gym on my way home after the dentist yesterday and spent 45 minutes or so. Place was really crowded though. Someone told me it's usually more crowded on Mondays. Guess lots of people take the weekend off, so to speak. I have an appt. to get my hair cut tonight so I won't get there until much later than usual. Let's see how the crowds are later in the evening.

Well, guess I'd better catch up with what I missed yesterday. Boss hasn't rolled in just yet. Never know when he'll get here. Hm, must be nice to be the boss, eh?

Have a good one!
Much love, Jo.

Hi everyone. I'm back, but just for a minute. Life is caving in on me and I am desperately trying to dig my way out. Unfortunately, it seems like the only way to dig out is by eating.

Anyway, the good news is that I am not gaining; the bad news is that I am not losing, either. I don't know. I guess I will just have to worry about everything later.

Hubby's mom turns 90 tomorrow and the family decided to have a 90th birthday party for her. All eyes turn to Peggy. I don't know why it is always my responsibility to plan every special event for that family. I am really beginning to resent it. I ususally get stuck with planning, paying for, and buying the family gift (including paying for it). Oh well. All to keep the peace, I guess.

More bad news...Our granddaughter has been having a few seizures that past few months and yesterday we found out that it is full blown epilepsy. Another worry. We are going to pick up the girls next week to look after them while our daughter and sil move (have been transferred to another city). More stress than enough for them right now.

I guess that should be enough whining from the Canadian front for today. My goal for the rest of the week is to be more disciplined with my eating and try to get back on track. I need to do more planning because I find that I get tempted too easily when I don't plan what I am going to eat.

Hope everyone is doing well. I will check in next week. Hopefully things will be better then. Take care, everyone.

OK, Peggy. Brace yourself. Are you ready??? Here it comes....

{{{{{HHHHHUUUUUGGGGGG!!!!!}}}}}

Big hugs to you, sweetie. Sounds like you've got too much going on there. I'm sorry to hear about your granddaughter. Hopefully, there's medical help for her. Now if only there was something to keep her grandma from worrying too much.

About the planning and stuff, I have a story for you. My sister used to be like you. She planned and hosted all of the family "events". We always let her do it because we thought she loved doing it. Once (after she cried and screamed and yelled a bit at us) we realized she only did it because she didn't think anyone else would, we all started chipping in to help. Now it's a group effort with everyone pitching in. Maybe your family thinks you love being the "hostess with the mostess"??? As for paying for the gifts that are from everyone, well that's just not fair and I'm sure they must know it. Since it's family, maybe you should just ask that everyone contributes his/her fair share?? P.S. Maybe you're just so good at everything you do, they feel they would be foolish not to leave it up to THE BEST!!

Just my uninvited advice for what's it's worth. As for eating, boy, if I could only give you some advice!! Then I'd give the same advice to ME!! I guess I'll just keep plugging along. I was talking to someone just this morning about how I'd thought that this was going to finally be the summer that I can wear shorts and appear in public in a bathing suit. Oh well, maybe next year...

Have to run. Take care!
Jo.

Hello Ladies, hope everyone is well. My server has been down for several days so once again I have some catching up to do. I can't remember if I posted after WI this week. I lost another 2.2 lbs. I am very happy with that. That makes 4.4 of the 6.4 that I had gained. I think we call this catching up. I will not whine. I will not whine. I will not whine.

Things seem to be slow here again. Where is everyone? Maybe people are on vacation. Not me. I'm off for the summer and my principal called today with a project for me to do while I'm off. Wonder what he would do if I called and told him I had a project for him to do. Wonder if it would get done?

I'm going to back up and read some of the posts and I'll try to come back if my server is willing. Have a good week-end.
Carolyn

Hey Ladies!!!!!!!!!

I've been on a high since Thursday night!!!!!!! Just now coming out of it...... the RED WINGS WON THE STANLEY CUP!!!!!!!!!!! It was soooooooo cool........

JO...... talking about spending money and using your charge? I too spent some serious cash.... errrrr credit...... I have been wanting a pro hockey jersey for sooooo long and the boys won so I celebrated by purchasing a Stevie Yzerman #19 hockey jersey...... $300 later I've got one.... well actually its being mailed to me as it is on order.... I guess Stevie's number is the one to have......

CJ...... yes it is nice to see nature at its best.... and you are very fortunate to have so much around you..... we do a hustle and bustle dance for so many years that we forget to stop and see whats really going on around us...... fortunately I am more like my dad in the sense of being laid back.... I have never been one to try and fill every minute of my life with something to do.... I enjoy the quietness and the nature around me...... sometimes so much I feel quite lazy........

Carolyn..... GOOD FOR YOU for losing 2.2 lbs!!!!!! Thats wonderful..... way to go!!!!! Keep up the good work kiddo!!!!

I too need a big BUTT KICK...... I have been eating and eating..... and its so easy to gain 5 or 10 pounds it seems.... and thats just what I have done..... It doesn't take but a blink of an eye to gain thats for sure..... a couple of weeks of indulgence and there it is.... finding me..... YUCK!!!!! Need to get my butt in gear and do something....

I am going to go for now..... I am in the middle of watching a video and needed a break..... so everyone be good and watch out for the snackaroos.......

Just thought of something..... I've been craving a cigarette so bad..... maybe thats why I've been eating everything in sight.....!!!????? Could that be why?

Behave yourselves......

Love to all Carolyn

Hi Ladies......

I can't believe that no one has posted in 3 days!!!!!! Am I talking to myself???

Things are good here...... the Red Wing Hockey - Stanley Cup parade was fantastic!!!!!! I had a great seat.... on the patio, 4 stories up front row... standing room only..... it was great!!!!! Detroit was a mad house with about a million people roaming the streets and watching the parade..... history in the making.

The weather has been great too...... it just isn't warm enough for this time of year though....

Well...... I was just checking in so everyone take care and be good!!!!!!

Love to all...... Carolyn

I come to read the new posts but no-one has posted! Soooo.... I don't post either! What a waste of time! Oh well......no news must be good news, right?

Nothing new here, same old struggle every day. The only thing that has changed is the weather! Beginning to get HOT!!!!!

Hope to hear from everyone real soon!

Hugs, Judy

Hi everyone. It is soooo quiet here these days. For me, well, I have been just plain sick. Finally felt like getting out of bed today. The rest of the week I got out of bed, but probably shouldn't have. Oh well, next week will be play time with the granddaughters, and I'm ready. Got the ice cream cones, the cookies and the toy box ready. Their mom and dad won't be there, so we can actually have some fun

Also trying to get the kitchen finished before all the company arrives after the mil's birthday party. When our last son moved out last January, hubby mentioned that we now have 5 guest rooms so that should accommodate any company that we would ever have. Just figured out this week that there are still going to be people sleeping in the trailer, on the floor and putting up tents in the back yard for the kids. My questions is "Can this be done without a stove in the kitchen?"

Through all of this there is a bright spot. I have been managing my weight. Haven't lost, haven't gained. Yeah!!!!

How are the gym workouts going, Jo?

How is everyone doing on the June challenge?

Are you all off on summer vacation soon? What are the plans for managing your weight loss programs while you vacation?

Hoping to hear from everyone soon. I will try to check in more faithfully, however, work demands and home demands for the next couple of weeks are really high. I'll do what I can, though.

Have a great one...

Hi everyone!!!

Everyone sure is quiet around here..... I will step lightly to be sure that I don't wake anyone up.......

Its really really hot here..... 94 degrees.... Just complained a couple of days ago that it was not warm enough for this time of year and we are getting July weather within a couple of days..... thank God for air conditioning..... I am cool.....

Went to a nice restaurant last night about 35 miles on the other side of town.... doesn't sound that far to go for dinner but when all expressways headed that way are completly shut down/closed or partly closed for construction it takes about an hour to get there..... and then we waited 2 1/2 hours to be seated..... but the company was good and so was the food... its called Bahama Breeze..... everything was tropical... drinks, desserts (didn't partake in) and the main courses.... it was great......

Not much going on around here just wanted to drop in and say hi......

Behave yourselves......

Love to all Carolyn

Hi Ladies........

I am stunned....... someone pinch me...... I cannot believe that I have been talking to myself...... this is great..... I am the only one posting faithfully..... gee what a turn of events......

Mom and dad are due in Tuesday...... or did I say that in my last post? Joanna and Tim will not be able to come up as Tim has to work on the 4th of July.... They purchased baseball tickets for the 4th of July at $75 each right behind home plate..... and they can't use them..... what a drag.... I guess if Tim called in sick he would be fired and/or would not be paid for the holiday even if he works the day before or the day after the holiday.... what rules eh? I am thinkin' it sucks.

Everything is quiet at work, my boss is on vacation next week, the girl I ride to work with will be on vacation for the next 2 weeks... and one of the other girls I go to lunch with will also be on vacation for two weeks..... so its going to be real quiet at work for about 2 weeks... maybe I can get some reading done during my lunch hour......

I went for the training for the volunteer parole officer job... there are quite a lot of volunteers so our case load will be light for the first few months.... It was really interesting... I always show up to meetings ready to take notes but usually never take notes..... but man I burned up the note pad last night taking notes.... It was really interesting and I paid attention. I think I am really going to like it.... I shadow a supervisor July 22... I go in with her during her meetings and meet the person (criminal.... hehe) and watch how she conducts the meeting.... these are people who may be down on the luck, druggies, alcoholics... shoplifters..... and sometimes they will try and con you.... so this should be really interesting. We'll see..... I'll keep you updated on this one....

Well.... its friday night and I haven't had dinner yet so I am going to head into the kitchen and see whats going on..... not much I sure as I'm am the only one here and have to get things started myself...... But, mom will be here next week.... and she will be cooking for me..... too cool...... can't wait......

Everyone behave yourselves and be good......

Lots of Love..... Carolyn...

Well....... since I am talking to myself..... I may as well start a new thread..... what do you think? I am thinkin' I hope I get it right...... hehe

Carolyn