Hello everyone!

It's awfully windy and cold, about 28 deg., but the sun is out.! I got back from my hair appt. a little while ago and I'm BLONDE AGAIN!!!!

Thank you all for your condolences. I didn't know him very well, but whenever we'd be at family get togethers he was always nice to me.

lynn, yes, I'm just about all packed. All that's left to do is put some last minute stuff that I'll be using tomorrow morning in the suitcase we'll be taking into the motel rooms with us. I was taking my T-shirts out of my closet to fold, and when DH saw the pile, and I do mean pile, he looked at me as if to say, You're taking all that? He knew it was in his best interest not to say anything. I know how you feel about not wanting to go out in this cold weather. You must be getting very excited about opening up your trailer. Three weeks isn't all that long. Thank you for sharing the recipe link. I went into the recipe site and added it to my favorites. There are quite a few recipes I want to try.

ANNE, at least you'll have a month of peace and quiet with recouperating from surgery. Thats wonderful you got the days off you wanted. I use any holiday or event as an excuse to eat off program.
I haven't seen anymore Robins. The one I saw must've hightailed it on out of here and warned its buddies

nikki, glad you got some outside work done. It must have felt really good to get outdoors. I went into that recipe site lynn posted and found the WW recipes. I saw a recipe for chicken fried steak, which DH absolutely loves. So, I thought I'd give it a try when we come back. Last night we had frozen dinners for supper and I had a Sesame Chicken and there was pasta for the starch. It was ok. The chicken was very good but there wasn't enough of it, and more than enough of pasta. I was wishing it was the other way around.

Have a wonderful day.
Aleka

Good morning,
It is suppose to be in the low 70's today and it's already in the 60's and so nice. I got a lot done that I wanted to yesterday and have a list as long as my arm for today, but I have some things to do with DD, so don't know how much I will get done. DH says if he feels like it, he'll till my gardens later this afternoon. WOOHOO! I usually have to beg, plead and stand on my head to get that done. This year, I guess he's going to get it done early enough that I won't have to wait to plant. It will start to rain and then keep on raining and then it's too wet to till, that's what usually happens.
Last night, the moon was full and there was a halo around it. It was so beautiful. I love to stay out late and watch the moon and the sky.

Anne, I haven't done the gazelle or BF for awhile. I'm doing those Slim in 6 tapes and the one I'm on now is a killer. It's almost 60 min of intense exercise. The first 30 are aerobics. When you feel like you can't do anymore, she switches to those elastic bands. She works you until you can't move anymore, then goes into floor work. First push ups, leg lifts (seems endless) and finally abs. This goes on till I can't lift myself another time and if followed by yoga to stretch out and cool down. The next tape is suppose to be even more intense. I can't do all of this one, but I sure feel great when the tape is over with. I mean, I feel like I have more energy and I'm in better shape


Aleka, one more time, where are you going again? Is it Fort Meyers? I saw an ad for that on tv last night, it looks wonderful. How long will it take you to get there? Gosh, I'm sorry to ask again, I pay attention, I just have little retention.

Lynn, I know what you mean. When we go camping, I feel the same way. The good thing is, since we have done it so much, we just do things automatically anymore. But, there is always something that we forget, so as soon as we set up camp, I have to start a list of stuff to get from home. It never fails. Since we have cats, I have to come home everyday anyway.
I didnt' get to check out that website yet. Last night was the Discovery Health Challenge program on DHC so I watched that instead. It wasn't that interesting, but I like to see what people look like before they lose weight and how they do it. Boy, they sure can lose weight fast. One guy lost 24 lbs in 4 weeks. Wish I had that much determination.

Well, got to run, will check in later tonight, Nikki

An early goodmorning to everyone,
I wanted to get going early, so I can get my exercising in. Yesterday, I didn't do it first thing and before I knew it, I blew it off completely. Just too tired and my joints wouldn't move anymore. So right after this and my 2nd I'm going to hit it. I didn't sleep much last night, at first, I wasn't able to sleep, then I couldn't stay asleep.

Aleka, have a safe journey. Will be waiting to hear from you when you can get to a computer. Hope you have a great time and relax and enjoy yourself.

Lynn, I still haven't checked out that website yet. Last night, I attended an on line meeting at Beachbody, then, I just completely zoned out with the tv. Watching the news the other night, they were saying that tv may be a contributing factor to children developing ADHD and to limit their viewing to 1-2 hours a day and children under 2 shouldn't watch it at all. I've always wondered about this. I never heard of this or even saw this disorder when I was a kid, now it's common. Even adults are diagnosed with it. I'm trying to do other things with myself that are not related to tv, but when you want to sit and relax, it seems so much easier than opening a book.
Well, the caffiene must be kicking in, I'm starting to ramble. Think I'll check back later, have a good day everyone, Nikki

Good morning everyone

I just wanted to make a quick post to say good bye. We'll be leaving in a few more hrs. because we're waiting for the Culligan guy to come. I told DH there will be no chit-chatting with him. Sometimes he & DH can talk for hrs. I've done my last minute chores so I can relax a bit. DH is packing the truck. I will not help him because I can never put anything in the right spot. Last week we bought some small items like toothpaste, mouthwash, and dental floss. I have no idea what I did with them. Hopefully when we unpack they'll turn up. Another BLONDE momemt! I guess the blonde hair dye seeped into my brain.

nikki, I heard that too on the news about TV and kids. There are a lot of things with children today that we never heard of when I was growing up. All the childhood cancers, I don't recall anyone in all my 12 yrs. of school having cancer. Sometimes you wonder if it's the environment or all the processed foods everyone eats with all the chemicals.

ANNE, lynn, hope it's warmed up for you. It's supposed to be near 50 today if the sun ever comes out. Hope you both have a good day today.

I will be checking in sometime when we arrive.

I hope you all have a wonderful Easter.

Bye for now.
Aleka

Good Morning All:

Nikki, sure sounds like the slim in 6 is a great program for you. Are you
going to splurge over Easter Weekend though?

I have constant problems with sleep Nikki, I think this is one of those
perimenopause things from what I am reading I know Suzanne
was really talking alot about that subject when she was on Larry King
a few weeks ago.

Our weather is pretty darn nice today considering what we have been
dealing with lately. Right Lynn!! Do you know we are expecting snow
on Easter

Hi Aleka, I bet you are busy!!!

Todays my last day until Tuesday ladies

Talk to you all later.

Anne,
I've lost 10 lbs since March 1st. I didn't want to say it, because everytime I do, I gain it all back. But this time, I'm very committed to sticking with it and continuing on. Beachbody has a bulletin board that I'm spending some time at and it helps. When I first started doing Slim in 6, I thought, "I am never going to be able to do this, it's too hard, I'm too old, I"m too....whatever." After visiting the BB over there, I see a lot of people that start and quit because it's hard, but I see alot of people that realize that you aren't going to get in shape over night and you will get better as time progresses. So, I'm trying to keep that in mind, when I"m laying on the floor, whining about my sore backside or thighs. Wow, those leg lifts reallly makes that part burn!
I doubt I'll go off plan over Easter, because there's no big dinner involved and no kids at home with baskets of candy sitting around. That makes it a lot easier, I know. This is one holiday I don't have to get too stressed about. I think I'll just pray a lot that day and spend some time with God.
I hope you have a great time on your days off and get to relax some too. You are so busy and do so much for everyone else, Nikki

Hi Everybody: Aleka I hope you have a safe trip to Florida and great weather!!! Will love to hear from you from the sunny south. Anne, Glad you are having a mini holiday, and yes I heard that there could be snow on the weekend. Lets hope not enough to shovel LOL. Sleeping is horrible at this stage of our lives. The last 2 nights I have been awake almost all night. Last night I couldn't sleep but was to tired to get out of bed. Thank God for tv!!!! Havn't been on the computer today have been talking to DD. Her boyfriend's company is doing major downsizing and a lot of heads were to roll today. He found out a little while ago he keeps his job, but so many were let go it is going to be **** at work. Apparently the company is on the sale block and this is a way to boost profits. I'm with you Anne, with being away from home for the holidays I will not be to careful. I havn't been exercising so I will be lucky to have held my own this last month. On that note CONGRAT"S Nikki. 10 lbs is awsome!!!!!!! Keep it up. Keep talking about your exercising to motivate me. I missed that about tv and kids. Wow, when you think of it though we never watched the tv these kids do. Almost every kid has a tv in their room today and my kids got theirs when they were in their teens, in fact they both bought theeir first tv's themselves. Interesting. Well that's it for now. Talk to you later

Good morning,
It is sunny here, but pretty chilly. The weather is turning for the worse and they said we may have snow by Sunday.
Lynn, this morning I need someone to kick me in the butt and make me exercise. I'm tired and I don't feel like it. I have to take DD to a funeral for her neighbor that she was friends with. Neither of my DD's have cars now, so I'm running around a lot these days. Thank goodness, this is a small town. I'm going to the funeral too, then later, DD has to get groceries. I was planning on looking through the greenhouses while she shopped, but it will be too cold out for that.
That's good that your DD's boyfriend got to keep his job. The economy is in the toilet now days. So many unfortunate people are losing their jobs. DH works for the VA and they are closing the one that he works at. They keep saying it will be in a few years, but then move the projected date farther into the future. DH will be able to retire in a few years, with 30 years of service and he has to be at least 50 years old, so at least he will be able to retire, but he won't get much of a paycheck since he will have to get out so young. I feel bad for the other people that will either lose their jobs or have to move to another VA to work. DH says he will work as long as possible, but I wish he'd get out of there and get a job somewhere else when he can. Every morning he comes home telling me how much he hates his job. It's very stressful and the management there is just plain crazy. I use to work there too and I've seen some odd things, but it's like a bad nightmare now.
Well, better get moving. I didn't get much sleep, then didn't want to get up. I sure can tell the weather is changing as my ankle was so painful and swollen last night. I put icey hot on it and wrapped it in a heating blanket. Sometimes, I get mad at my body, but at least I can walk and I'm doing that better all the time. I watch some people struggle to get around and realize, I've got nothing to whine about.
Have a great day, Nikki

Goodmorning Anne and Nikki: I just realized that it is the 3 of us for a while. You are feeling like I am today. If I don't get a good sleep every 2nd. night I am draging my butt. You are probably a lot worse than me because you have a funeral to go to. DH was lucky he retired with full pension at 51. He had 30 years in and wasn't penalized. Thank God for strong unions (he was a fireman) Things have changed in the last 5 years and everytime he is in contact with other firefighter's they always say how relieved they are that they got out when they did. DD's boy-friend is very smart with money (Dh and I could take lessons from him) anyway they budgeted to always have 6 months of mortage, utilities, tax money in the bank for emergencies since they are both in the same industry (insurance) and there have been a lot of cut-backs since 9/11. Some companies are doing well insurance companies make money on their investments not us so they say. I think DD's BF wanted a package. His would have been 6 months salary lots of time to find another job. DD's company is doing very well in fact she received her biggest bonus since 9/11. Nikki does VA have something to do with vets? I am rambling so I don't have to go to work. Today is a busy day as I get ready for the weekend. We want to leave here by 7am tomorrow so we can see the baby before they leave for Michigan. My neice and I spoke yesterday and she is doing a dessert for sunday, I am doing the veggies, Hostess is doing ham and scalloped potatoes and DD is doing appetizers. I will have them in dishes that when the ham comes out of oven they can go in to be heated up. My neice has just bought a house and is remodeling it so as she lives near by is going to take us over to show us the house. It is very cold and will be snowing on weekend also. On Sat. night am having friends over for dinner so will be busy. Well I am rambled enough will check back later.

Lynn,
I like to read your posts, even if you think your rambling. You sure do have a busy weekend ahead. I'm just waiting for a little bit, before I head out the door.
Yes the VA stands for Veterans Administration. I worked there almost 20 years and DH has now been there for 28. We have a union, but because it's government, we aren't allowed to strike. Needless to say, the union is not what it use to be either, so things are not what they once were. To get a full pension, DH would have to work to 55. We were both under the old civil service retirement plan. Now days, people have to work to 65 to get to retire. But, they are lucky if they get to keep their jobs that long too.
I sure wish I was as well disiplined as your DD's boyfriend and she is about money. I've tried to keep enough to pay just one months bills back and that seems like a huge struggle to me. After I had my accident, we went for a year with no income, except for DH's. He makes about 1/2 of what I use to, so it was a big change. We were lucky, as the house was paid off and we only had one credit card bill. If it wasnt for him, I'd have either lost everything or would be living in a cardboard box. Or worse yet, living with DD. I love her to peices, but can't imagine having to live with her and depend on her to support me.
Better run, remember, take breaks and rest occasionally, Nikki

Hi Nikki: You are ahead of us, we don't have a paid off house. In fact we joke the kids have more than us, but sadly it is true. We had both of them in collage at the same time and no student loans.and one needed a car so we didn't have to pay for residence. DD boy-friend is smart and good to DD I wish I knew why I can't like him as well as I should? I often wonder if I am a bit jealous, we could have had her with us forever, now DS he I couldn't live with anymore......too anal. Up here we have what we call the 85 factor. To retire you have to have 30 years in or your years of emplyment plus your age add up to 85. DH couldn't strike but during the 70's and 80's the unions were VERY powerful here. The guys on the job have lost a lot of stuff the last 5 years but we are covered under a grandfather clause. Well off to iron will check back

My old girl Patches died last night. She was 17 and a very good girl. The smartest cat I've ever known. I am crying a little this morning, but she was really sick last year and I thought she would die then. She pulled through, but was so fragile all winter. I was able to say good bye slowly that way and even though it hurts this morning, I still expected it to happen. She still enjoyed her life up until a few days ago, when her breathing became more labored. I was glad she got to see another spring.
I'll talk to you all later, Nikki

Anybody up for a Spring Re-Inspriation Week? I post on the regular LC weekly, but I started a Menu thread, and wanted to invite you guys to join in for a week of re-commitment to our plans. Posting menu's always helps me plan ahead and stay on track..
I know you ladies have a special connection here, but I wanted to see if you were interested! Have a great weekend! dottie

EDIT: Nikkie-When I entered this post I saw your news about your cat- I am so sorry, that is very hard. My cat died last spring and I still miss her. DH and I still are silly and pretend that we are talking in her "voice" like we used to when she was alive. We just can't let go of her!

Hi Dottie,
That is very nice of you to invite us over . I think since it's Easter weekend, everyone is kind of busy (but me ). I'll point them back to this post when they come back, since we start a new thread on Sunday and I want to make sure they see.
I am not doing low carb right now, just low cal. I just hang around this thread, since I've been here for a few years So I probably won't be posting my plan, but thank you anyway.

Thanks for the cat condolensces. She was so old, it was her time to go. It sure is hard when I look at her favorite chair and she's not there though. She adored me and I loved her. I'm fortunate, I have 3 other cats and now we have room for more strays. DH doesn't think so, but there are always new stray cats walking up the driveway, needing a home, and I can never refuse them.
Nikki

Good Morning All:
I've been busy like heck with my Easter preparations
Nikki, I am so sorry to hear about your cat I know it;s hard. I only had
one dog in my life and when she died on valentines day when I was 18 I
thought never again. She was a lovely beagle named Kelly. Who knows,
I may weaken someday.

On a happy note, 10 pounds!!! Isn't that wonderful!!!

Hi Lynn, freezing ain't it!! I was just reading your post about your DH
retiring at 51. I am 47 and in my 30th year at St. Mikes. I will be able
to retire when my age and years of service equals 85 which will put me in
my early 50's.

Nikki, my knees are like your ankle. They service to tell me the weather
too

It was just nuts today in the grocery stores. Couldn't beleive the crowds!!
Talk to you guys later.
Anne.