Melissa --- The weight is TOM related. Don't worry. Have fun in Chicago and Buffalo! (you are travelling as much as me).

Lisa --- Is this your florida room? I could probably design it, but I'm not too good on construction. I just looked at Jeanne's tracks and she's staying much more off shore. I wish you luck. I hope all my friends near N.O. are okay.

Anyone have any exciting plans for the weekend? I'm making and canning salsa. DP is at NSF bootcamp until next Thursday, its just me, the cat and dog hanging.


lala

Oy, I forgot to say, I am having a really hard time adjusting to being back. Went out to dinner last night and had one mojito (really really potent), basically made it in the door, let the dog out, changed my clothes and collapsed. Woke up two hours later, did a few more things and collapsed again. Woke up at 3 am and didn't get back to sleep. THis never happens to me.

lala

lala, it's our pool enclosure--a pretty large structure.

It will take you a while to adjust to the time difference, I guess.

What is NSF bootcamp?

National Science Foundation =NSF, hey I'm involved with a pencil necked geek.

Okay, I just ate a bag of potato chips. What is with that?

lala

Lala: I know the WI was TOM related but it's like a rude awakening in some respects because I really did go off on a salt tangent for a bunch of days. Anyway, I'm getting back on track and I'm trying to curb those nasty cravings. Hope your eating/sleeping patterns get back on track!

Lisa: I talked with my friend in Clearwater and she sounded relieved with the fact that Ivan took a turn--I don't ever recall this many hurricanes battering FL in one season in a long time.

I'm looking forward to the trip to Chicago--we're heading to an Octoberfest so it'll be fun. The hotel we're staying at is offering free shuttle service to the fest--so we don't have to worry about driving! Our meeting will be held at the hotel and then we'll head over to the fest for the official opening ceremonies. Should be a fun time. Our flight on Sunday leaves a little later that usual so we'll have to time get up and leisurely pack.

Hi Ladies,

I'm having a sort of frustrating evening. My daughter's birthday is coming up and she asked for one of the Lance Armstrong yellow Live Strong bracelets. I thought it would be simple enough, but they are completely sold out everywhere. So I went on line and looked up the Lance Armstrong Foundation to see if I could get one. The website to order them is closed. So I read a little bit about the history of the bracelets and found out that most of the proceeds from the sale is going to cancer research..the cost of the bracelet is $1. A friend of mine at work told me to try going on Ebay, so I did tonight. Now, I'm a novice to Ebay..so I shouldn't judge, but I couldn't believe what I saw. People are selling hundreds of these on-line, but the bidding was exceeding $25 a bracelet!!! To be honest, I would pay the $25 if it was going to cancer research but this was pure profit for some very enterprising/greedy individuals. I don't mean to offend anyone who sells/buys on Ebay but wow, that was unbelievable. Sorry for the rant.

Lala you had me laughing about the pencil necked geek comment. I refer to my DH (tax CPA) as a pencil pushing geek. Lovingly of course. The mojito sure packed a wallop..hope you recovered.

Melissa enjoy your time in Buffalo and Chicago. I always like the Dutchess, she has a lot of spunk. I admire her for taking off the weight and being able to keep it off. She looks good.

Lisa it looks like the Florida panhandle really got hit by Ivan. You mentioned your parents were on the gulf side, I hope they didn't get any damage. It looks like New Orleans got lucky. Keeping my fingers crossed for you on Jeanne.

Hi to Susan..hope you have a nice weekend.

Talk to you later.....

Hi all --

I am in a major funk, I have no idea why, but I am just blue. I think it may be coming home to fall (yes, I am wearing a coat and hose these days), darker days, old and grumpy dog, loud caterwauling cat and no one else at home. I am stymied at work too.

I am getting up in the middle of the night and getting a snack. What is with that? I have never done such a thing in my life. Its very strange. I am hoping I'll get out of it by the end of the week.

Other than that, Pam -- do you want me to look locally for these things? I can ask my friend who has one.

Lisa -- I am hoping that Jeanne stays far off shore. It looks like you'll be spared. I am too hoping your folks are okay.

I'm in a quandry, I reserved a bunch of hotel nights on free nights I had earned and now I am short one. I guess I either cancel one night and buck up the $300-400 bucks for the night (none of these are inexpensive properties), or I buck up the points. I am not amused.

I made a recipe from the turnaround book last night. I split it with my friend who is flying to Alaska today for a short work cruise. He is going to eat it on the plane. I also gave him the rest of the macarons that are plaguing me.

I will post the recipes.

I also posted two yummy recipes from Nigella Lawson's column in the NYT. One is for a rataouille with butternut squash and one is for a herbed couscous. I lowered the amount of olive oil and they are now both core.

Check them out in the core recipe section.

later taters,

lala

Lala sorry you're feeling down, it probably is the time of year, but it could be others things too. You mentioned that DP was back to school and you wouldn't have a lot of weekends together for awhile, or maybe just a little bit of PMS is going on. Whatever the cause it seems like you have a good group of friends around to do things with. I hope you're feeling better soon. I am going to check out your butternut ratatouille recipe, it sounds yummy. Take Care.