Pam, that's funny. I was up late last night, too. I just couldn't get to sleep, so I read more of my latest David Baldacci novel. I finally turned in at 11:30; usually I'm in bed asleep at 9:00. TOM started, too--oh joy. The mirror sounds pretty. Congrats on being OP.

Susan, I hope you like your new do. All right, what are lowlights? I'm always learning from you ladies. If 123 works for you, go for it.

Lisa -- Lowlights are streaks in a colour that's darker than your natural colour. I needed to be educated too - had no idea what the stylist meant when she mentioned it.

Hi ladies,

I have you all beat, I stayed up until 1 am last night. I had to call London to change a train ticket and the offices didn't open until midnight our time. I watched "supersize me" last night -- oh my gosh -- boy was that a kick in the keester to start journalling and never eat fast food again. Then again, the only fast food I eat is seldom, but holy moses... It did make me crave french fries....

Pam and Melissa I heard about your windy weather. Take and bundle up.

Pam -- That is a great present. I really regret getting rid of my full length mirror when DP and I first got together (30#s ago) and I stopped hanging out at my own abode and her house has no mirrors. I am not kidding. 13 years later I have no full length mirror at home.

Lisa-- I'm nearly 40 and feeling no major love for my career and no real chance for advancement. Don't get me wrong, I have a great job, very flexible and great benefits etc.... However, sometimes you just gotta figure out what color that parachute is, ya know?

Melissa -- good on ya for the loss. You are amazing. I think you are about 8" taller than me and weigh less than me! Yikes. I am really really needing to finish this goal.

Susan -- I'm trying flex again. Journalling and trying to up the exercise. I am good at starting goals on the 1st of the month and I did pretty well yesterday.
DP says I can retire, but then I'm not going to be able to travel, clothe myself and keep the dog in kibble. Guess I'll work.

Okay, gotta get to work. My head still hurts and my hip feels better thanks to advil. I did do 45 minutes on the ellliptical this am, but need to start weights and toning again.

later taters,

lala

TGIF ladies. Another beautiful sunny day here. I think they've got another rainy weekend in store for us though.

What are your plans for the weekend? We're planning a relatively quiet one - only one social function and that's the Tragically Hip concert on Sunday evening. Can't wait - they're my all-time favourite Canadian band.

Otherwise, got a few more gifts to wrap, a little decorating left, lots of laundry, a few more Christmas cards - odds and ends of lots of things. Next weekend, it's DH's Christmas party on Saturday night. It's also the weekend I want to get some baking done. This will be my first attempt at food gifts. Wish me luck. Baking was never my forte.

It's cooler here today, but the sun is out. Yes, TGIF! It's been a hectic week and frustrating, too. I thought I had a huge project all ready to be sent out and this one guy decided to make wholesale changes to it (argh!) Then I was given an assignment that I've never done before, so I said I've never done this and I need help!

Plans for the weekend--buy a Christmas tree, do some decorating, mail Christmas gifts, do some decorating, and some baking. I've always enjoyed getting home baked goodies as gifts. Good luck, Susan, with your efforts. Choose some simple recipes and you'll do fine. Have you ever heard of forgotten cookies? I make them every year and they are a favorite. They're like a meringue cookie with chocolate chips inside. Yum! In fact, one of my friends insists that I give her some as a gift each year.

Tomorrow night I'm going to a 50th birthday party (we can relate, huh, Susan?) Unfortunately it's outside and it will be in the low 50s. To top it off, the honoree wants us to wear Hawaiian clothes (I'll freeze). I'm also supposed to sing two songs at this shindig (Because You Loved Me and The Prayer a la Celine Dion). That should be interesting.

lala, I was in the same kind of career funk a couple years ago. Fortunately, I was able to change careers. That is difficult to do because folks want you to start over (not fair). I hope your hip is doing better.

Hello, Pam and Melissa.

TGIF allright!

whoo hooo.

I have a few things on my plate. Cookie dough making for our christmas cookie decorating party on the 12th, greens sale this afternoon, getting a new car stereo put into my decrepit bassetfur mobile today, one last class meeting for seminar, a bit of decorating and maybe a play tonight.

DP leaves for DC on Sunday, so I can finish up some stuff at home...

Lisa -- I'm thinking that even starting at the bottom of some corporate ladder will be equal in pay to what a middle level scientist makes, so I'm okay with that...

Susan -- the best way to get started on the food gifts is to make sure you have all the ingredients before you start mass baking/mixing/collating.

Hi to everyone!

lala

Hi Ladies,

Well I'm down 1.2 lbs... yeah staying OP for a week actually works. I'm feeling like I can stick with it and I might as well get back on track now while it's only 5lbs. It's chilly here today,maybe some snow tonight...yuck. Not much planned for the weekend. Some friends of ours asked us to go out to dinner tonight. We really don't enjoy going out with them (looong story) so I think I'm going to call them as soon as I'm done here to decline.
My DS just made my Christmas shopping for him very easy..he told me he wants to go to Cancun on spring break and asked for $$ for the deposit.

Lala I had a career crises a few years ago. I was an accountant, but just couldn't imagine doing that for the rest of my life. I handled most of the real estate accounting for the company I worked for and was always very interested in that so I switched careers in my late 30's and am now happily a property manager for a large retailer. Change is good..follow your instinct and start looking around.

Lisa could you give me the recipe for the forgotten cookies? They sound yummy and I need to bake something for our office get together.

Susan have fun at Tragically Hip". Sounds like it will be fun. I feel your pain when it comes to baking for food gifts. I never think anything I make ever comes out good enough to give away

Hi Melissa..have a good weekend!!

I'll talk to you all later.....

Pam, sure I'll get you the recipe on Monday.