So glad to see all our friends from the coast posting and your ok. I haven't had any time to post this weekend as we have been busy as a bee. Hubby comes home in 2 days!!!!YIPPEEEEEE!!!!!!! They ran from the storm with the rig to Sabine Pass, TX. Just wanted to tell everyone hi and am still on track with my eating.... Missed breakfast this morning because I stayed up so late last nite washing and drying clothes and then had to get out in the garden and pick butterbeans off my vines....its kinda cool out but I know it will heat up the rest of the day. Now I have to shell them but I enjoy shelling beans so it will be a welcome thing.

Everyone have a wonderful day!!!!!

Hey everyone! I had a weird morning...not sure where it went. I took a little nap, and the next thing I knew it was like 11! I had to take James to work, and then I went on to Harry's Whole Foods to get milk and way too much other stuff. I got some unusual good oils- like macadamia nut oil and walnut oil, and a few packages of their organic ground beef. I found that they carry Carlson's Cod Liver oil, so I got a bottle of the capsules to take. Then I hit the olive bar and got too many olives. I snacked on too many of them on the way home! Amazingly, I did not forget what I went there for...milk!

The rain has kind of stopped...its still overcast but much lighter than it was. Occasionally, I see a bit of sunshine. I will be happy when the rain ends, and the sun comes out for good again. They are predicting intermitten showers for the next day or two, so I am trying to be patient.

My knitting is coming along nicely. I was making this jewel toned blanket for myself, but decided to give it to a lady at church who was recently diagnosed with cancer. Her prognosis is good, but even so, I am enjoying applying my new knitting tactic to the piece: pray for the person you are making it for with each row. On the baby blanket its been fun praying for the mom and the baby... I can see how the piece for a cancer patient will inspire me to pray for her more.

PANCHO: Happy Birthday to Lane! I hope and pray she recovers enough to enjoy what all you have planned for her special day. I agree with everyone that it is good to get those palpatations checked out. They could be nothing serious, but its never good to ignore something if you are not sure. My husband's father had a heart attack fairly young, so he has been really good about keeping up on his heart health. His cholesterol is high, but he had one of those new tests that checks the arteries for plaque, and his came back totally clean. The doctor STILL tried to talk him into Lipitor but he refuses to take it, and eats really well and exercises regularly instead. I bet they will find all is well with your hubby.

TONI: I hope you had a nice birthday! Shame on your step daughter for sending you candy! I think I could resist any kind but Fannie May! All because I grew up in Chicago, I guess. Jump right back on the wagon now!

THUNDER: I am go glad your hubby will be home soon, and they were able to stay safe during the storm! Good for you staying on plan!

TECH: Sounds like you did not do as badly as you might have...but no more excuses! And hey, you were almost right! Dennis wobbled to the east and hit at Navarre instead of Mobile. Maybe you ought to go back into weather ....

FILLISE: Yeah, rub it in! You are going to the beach while I am hoping to find an ark....

TEENSY: <<hug>>

Ok, where are Heartmom, Country... you are missed! Check in!

Well we are getting some side affects from Dennis. (MY DH's name too). We really need the rain. My grass is worse than straw. Some parts of the state have water restraints and can't use any. I think they are now predicting flooding. No in between.

Eating today has been good. All legal.

bf: 1 egg with cheese, coffee.
snack, cauliflower and dip
lunch: large salad with mushrooms, cheese, cabbage, strawberries.
Dinner, grilled cod if DH gets gas for the grill. Veggies. If not ??

Gator, no we went to the Domican Republic. I sure wish I had known you were close too. Going out (International Flights) I guess the airport was small and yucky. Coming back the area was nicer and larger and the food cost less. Go figure.

Monet, Yes I am bloated, plus none of my clothes fit. But by Tuesday of last week, DH's shorts were too tight too. I have spent the day in the potty so hopefully the scale will be waaaay down tomorrow. What a sweet thing for you to make for your friend. What a lovely idea.

Julia, I bet Jess was excited about her new room. I thought my scale was reliable. Who knows. At least you have a good reason to be gaining and not eating right. How have you been feeling?

Nat, I'm so sorry Lane is sick on her birthday. I know she is disappointed. You really can't enjoy it feeling yucky. Hopefully it is a 24 hr bug and no one else catches it. Are you injesting caffeine? That could make your heart race. I wouldn't fool with it, get it checked out. I'm sure DH is fine to. Let us know

Susan, glad to hear you made it safe and sound. Be careful in NYC. With all this stuff in London, you have to be watchfull. Enjoy though.

Toni, Happy belated birthday. Sorry I missed it. Glad you got your SB foods. Let me know ifyou need anything else and I will send it to you.

Tech, if I came up there and kicked your butt, you would be able to pulverise mine. One week of too much food and alcohol. It was all free, what can I say. Now let's both get back on track and get going.

Teensy, I am so sorry to hear about your dog. I know it is so hard for you. Prayers for all of you.

Sonya, I never knew of anyone growing their own butterbeans. Man I love those things.

Heading home. Talk to you tomorrow

Hi all:

We just got back from Build-A-Bear, and Lane seems to be feeling a bit better. I still cancelled swim lessons though....she wasn't up to that.

My DH is FINE! He is better than fine. His cholesterol was under 130, and his blood pressure was 117/something. They checked his arteries and all are clear. They told him he was going to break the equipment because he was in such fine health . They asked if he was a vegetarian...which he is not. But, he is eating so much healthier since I switched to SB. The doctor said he probably strained a muscle or something. He said to keep up what he is doing, and he will never have to see a heart doctor.

I called my doctor, and they are getting me in tomorrow a.m. They wanted to get me in today, but it was Lane's birthday and she is not feeling good. I will have to take both girls with me tomorrow though...wish me luck.

Jack: I am glad you are getting some much needed rain. I don't drink coffee, maybe drink a diet soda 3x a week, and I do drink a glass or two of iced tea per day, on some days. I do drink green tea at night sometimes, but it is decaf. I'm not sure what it is from. I hope to find out soon.

Monet: I am glad your body got the nap it needed. Enjoy that much needed rain. I am glad the blanket is coming along so nicely. I cannot believe a doctor wanted to put Tom on medication when he is fine....Good for Tom not taking it!

Tech: First of all...I am not pregnant, Thank heavens ! I love my kids, but two is fine for me. So, that makes it even more troublesome. I can't imagine something like that coming up out of the blue, and being normal. Delaney is turning 3 today. I am glad the festival wasn't rained out, and that you and the kids enjoyed yourselves.

Gator: Thanks so much for the reassurance. It's not so much the flutters that worries me, as it is feeling my pulse so intensely through the rest of my body. It feels like the bed is moving.

Toni: Get rid of that candy! We passed a See's in the mall today, and Britt wanted to stop for a piece of candy. I reminded her that we will be having cake tonite, so I got out of that one . Now, you can get rid of that and start on your Sobe stuff. I hope your birthday was enjoyable! Enjoy the rain.

Fillise: Glad your machine was on. I hope all is well when you return home!

Hello to Ken, Thunder, Teensy, and anyone else I forgot.

Britt wants to go decorate the kitchen for Lane's party.

Have a great evening!
Nat

just a quick one handed hello lol shoulder/arm painful today...think I;ve been trying to do too much. eating a little better. scale stable..at least not going up

Weather update: Okay, guys...Tropical Depression #5 is out there about 1000 miles east of the Windward Islands...that arc of islands that bowes out into the Atlantic Ocean. This is soon to become Tropical Storm Emily. What a busy season! I remember when Andrew came in in the early 90's...the first named storm in September!! Now this will be the fifth named storm and it's not even the middle of July!! Holy Toledo...don't forget...a cheap house is for sale right next door to me!! As long as you don't mind the cold, that is!!

Okay...off to be with the family...I'll keep my eyes peeled on the tropics for you!!

Nat: You know...you and Julia have the little girls and SHE'S the one with one in the oven. Sorry, didn't mean to give you undue stress.

Hi Melf...hope your arm/shoulder is feeling better soon!!

Hey! Hope all of you who live with me in the south have not gotten waterlogged! At least not yet, it looks like we will be getting on and off rain for a while
I just have an idea. I wanted to see what ya'll think. If we change weigh in to Mondays, how about having "wonderful Wednesday" where we could share one wanderful thing from our week. Be it the weather, something our kids have done, etc. Something like "counting our blessings" If this is too corny, don't hesitate to say so. I promise I will not get my feelings hurt. Just an idea!

Dinner tonight was beef and asparagus rolls, with sliced cucumbers and cherry tomatoes. The boys had theirs on soba noodles. I passed on the noodles.
I also had a snack of a handful of shelled pistacios. I made chicken salad tonight for the guys lunches, and of course took a taste...now I feel ready to pop! I am finding less food is more satisfying since I have been taking steps to eat within the guidelines of Rosedales program. We shall see what the scale says...

So far, it looks like we will be switching weigh in to Mondays.. anyone got any ideas for what to call it? Metal Monster Mondays?

THIN: Oh, my GOSH, is that CORNY! I LOVE IT! Its a great idea so thank you for bringing it up. Counting our blessings, or finding something positive is a very important part of loving ourselves, and thus feeling motivated to take care of ourselves. Are you waterlogged yet? Its almost amusing how it will clear off for 30 minutes, then get all stormy again. I will be glad when this is over!

JACK: I am wondering if you take fish oil? Its supposed to help the joints, and I remember years ago taking a few from a friend and feeling incredible improvement in my aching joints in just hours. I figured it was a fluke. Well, part of this program I am experimenting with requires certain supplements. So, I dutifully started looking for the fish oil they recommended..Carlson's Cod Liver Oil (lemon flavored). I found it today at Whole Foods, but opted to get the capsules instead of the liquid. I took one at lunch, and one with dinner. Frankly I am SHOCKED at how much better my joints are feeling already! I have not had any knee pain since lunch! Its freaky. So, I thought I would pass the info on to you. The idea is getting enough Omega 3 fatty acids, and the fish oil is the best source. The Carlson's has been recommended by Mercola, the doctor who wrote the book I am reading, and obviously they are top quality. You might find they help your joints...

Off to knit!

Did much better with my eating today. Also got more done around the house after I took something for the pain. Cleaned out 2 desk drawers of old mail, etc. Did lots of shredding. Washed 2 loads of clothes.

Picked figs with DH late afternoon & even cooked supper of boiled chicken breast & sweet/sour rice (Lipton Sides) counted 5 points on WW but it was something quick & easy to do. added fresh cukes & salad greens. Not bad even though it wasn't 100% SB legal.

I noticed something that really made me smile today as I read the posts. I remember when I was on the board before that talking about our faith was shall I say a little "taboo"??? I see allot more easy sharing now & it's really nice.

Monet and Jackie--I take fish oil capsules. Right now they are at the other end of the house from where I am, and I don't want to look up how much I take. But I take 4 large capsules a day. I got mine at the advice of my holistic doctor, who recommended them for heart health, not joint health. The only thing she was insistant about was my taking ones that had been tested to not contain any mercury, as large oily fish now so often contain mercury. I take MSM and glucosamine for joints.

Good idea for a new name for Wednesdays, Thin. Mondays, hmmm. Monday Mondays, Marvelous Mondays, Measurement Mondays, Weigh-in Mondays, Melting Away Mondays, and Monet's suggestion of Metal Monster Mondays.

GATOR: That is why Mercola recommends the Carlson's brand...no mercury, or other toxic heavy metals. I will probably start with two to three a day, but I am amazed at how much just two have improved my joints! The book does talk about how beneficial it is for heart health as well. Too bad it isn't a magic pill for metabolism too, huh?

MELF: I am glad you are getting around a bit, but don't over do it! Laundry sounds like a horrible thing to try and do with one arm! Why, its horrible enough with TWO arms! Are you combining WW and SB? How is that going for you? Fillise loves it. I probably could do that now, but just WW is not a good alternative for me. I figured out that last time I did it that these little potato cakes were one point, and if I cooked them with spray instead of oil, they were still one point. Well, I could eat my weight in them, and they wreak havoc on my insulin levels and, well, you get the idea...

Good Tuesday morning Ladies.

Dennis is hitting us hard today. But it is much needed so I won't complain (too much).

Dinner ended up being the grilled fish. It was yummy. Cauliflower and squash and zuchinni and a salad. Everyone was starving since it was their first day back on their diets.

I am so tired today. I woke up 3 times last night to potty and then 3 times with leg cramps. Don't know what brought those on. usually it is DH that gets them. I always have to get up and rub his calf/leg for him. He never even knew I was wallering around in the bed in pain. Go figure.

Well the scale was down 10 pounds today. I was hoping for more. Hope some more comes off this week. That is amazing to me how someone can retain that much water.


Kris, I enjoy some of that party hardy too but after this vacationI will stick to wine and vodka and skip those sugar ladden drinks.

Nat, Sure glad to here DH is fine and such a fine speciman of a man. Let us know what you find out today. glad Lane is better and got to enjoy some of here birthday.

Melf, welcome back. It's so good to see you back on here. Glad your surgery went well and you are on the road to recovery. Take it easy but stay with us.

Thin, I'm always up for counting my blessings. I am truly blessed.

Monet, yes, I take fish oil. We just started it a few weeks ago and did not take it on vacation, but started back on it today. Also taking it for brain power. Since my mind is gone, I'm trying anything to help out.

Gator, I will have to check out the fish oil we bought for the mercury. I only take 1 a day though.

Got to get busy here. Be back later.

Monet--Sounds like Mercola is a smart doctor. The capsules I am taking are a combination of EPA and DHA essential fatty acids from cold water fish. I take a total of 2400 mg per day of the fish oil; 4 capsules of 600 mg each. Monet, do you take MSM or glucosamine at all? That is really great for joint health. My sister is a pharmacist and worked for a "natural" independent pharmacist, and she recommended that especially, as did my holistic dr. also.

Got my 2 mile walk in today. I have been a little "spotty" the last few days. It rained yesterday late afternoon/evening when I was gonna walk, so that got trashed. Only got about 4000 steps in yesterday. So far today I have 6300. I have a bit of grocery shopping to do, and will also go to sign up at a new gym, about 15 minutes from here. The members of the old gym are having fits because it was the perfect place to work out. The machines were top of the line and everyone that went was serious about working out, and not into the babe/leotard thing. So several of the members are looking for a place to relocate the gym and they want to buy the machines and open up as a "key club" type place, with independent personal trainers. The old owner is going through a mid-life crisis and is getting out of the business altogether. This will all take a month or so to get in place, so I will work out at the new gym until that happens. Then may or may not switch back, IF the old gym gets off the ground.

I start my French language classes again tonight, 2 X per week. Will have to get back into the groove of thinking more in French.

Well, gotta go. Everyone have a great day.