Good morning all. I'm happy to report dd was fine all day yesterday and so far today. Her cold, and mine, seem to be hanging on. We've both been coughing just a week. Hopefully we both shake these by next weekend or we are both off to the dr. DH thinks Sarah should go now - but she isn't sick and she is coughing once in a while. I think she needs to get the goo out and just doesn't know how to do it. The pediatric robitussin seems to be working well for her. I also put on vapor rub before school. That actually works very well - I hate to keep giving her medicine.

We did the halloween parade yesterday - of course I forgot the camera. There must have been over 200 kids in costume who took part in the 1 mile walk. It was lots of fun, Sarah was the only spider and thankfully her coat fit under the costume. It was cold last night and windy.

Today is a beautiful day - should be close to 60 today and pushing 70 tomorrow. Woo hoo, love wonderful Tuesday weather for my day off.

I did better on plan after I posted yesterday. Went to our usual place last night for dinner and had a wonderful ginger chicken salad - it did have some pecans on it but no cheese. It was delish.

Kathy, did you get together with the group in Chicago? I didn't see any posts about it, I figured it didn't work out. I hope you Sandra and Rhonda can connect.

Rhonda on the buffet. Core can be done easily, if you can skip all of the other temptations!

Vickie, it doesn't sound like you did too bad with the nuts either. PB and J made with smart balance, sf spread and whole grain. It could have been alot worse, if you figured out the points its probably not bad at all. Today is a new day.....for all of us.

Well, I'll go post my menu and I suppose I should get back to work. I had to drop Sarah off at 8 and then call into a conf call on my way in. I got to use my new phone - love the head set, so much clearer to hear then using the phone. I'll stop by later.

Nope, no Chicago get-together. Jim had an appointment so Vickie wasn't able to meet me. I had a car and Thursday was wide open since I arrived around 9 a.m. and graduation wasn't until the next day, but that was also the day of his appointment. Shaun will be leaving there in a few weeks so there won't be another opportunity.

I'm a bit out of sorts today for some reason. It's like something's not quite right but I can't put my finger on it.

BBL...

Yeah and poor Cameo was very, very sick at the time. In fact, that was the weekend she ended up at the Emergency Vet overnight.

I would not have been good company. I do feel bad about that still.

Kathy, I hope you feel better soon.

No, it was just last weekend, the 19th thru 22nd. She passed away on the 16th. But no matter what, really do I understand. I don't want you to feel bad at all.

You never know, there might be an opportunity again.

It was? Wow....I am really out of it. And I do feel bad but you're not making me feel that way. It's just the way I am. Who knows when another opportunity will ever present itself.

I'm SO excited. I met 2 Ladies at my meeting that are doing Core. They are very excited about it and they are so motivating with their excitement about Core and being healthy. I told them all about our wonderful recipes here and they are going to come check them out. They both had great loses this week despite going to a Halloween party. Very, very motivating. I gained .8 but am not worried because of the looming TOM. I've already polished off 24 ozs of water and am working on my next 24. I've been a trifle lax about that lately. The one lady lost over 3 pounds and the other Lady lost 5 pounds and it's not just their first week. I do feel motivated for the first time in a long time. I hope it sticks!

I hope you are all doing well.

It's okay ... honestly. Sometimes things just don't work out like we had hoped.

And now. Did you go to w/i? I am having to counsel my coworker / cubemate because she stepped on the scale this morning and had a terrible shock. She was up about 15 pounds since when she weighed about 3 weeks ago. She's pretty upset about it.

Oops, I see where we posted at almost the same time. Sounds like you're very excited!! I'm happy that you met them; maybe they'll come visit us!

Yeah, I went. I was just confessing. We must have been posting at the same time!

Yikes....15 pounds in 3 weeks. I'd be suicidal.

A lot of that could be water (well, not sure how much of that but trying to sound encouraging).

Any tips on increasing how much water I drink? I have a big orange bottle I keep at home and a Poland Springs in the car. I probably drink about 2/3 as much as I should. Could be worse, I know, but given how dry it is inside now that central heat is on I'd probably feel better overall if I were more hydrated.

Elana, when I was doing great on Core I was drinking 64-72 ozs of plain water in addition to other decaf beverages (decaf diet pepsi, black decaf coffee).

Hi chickies,

Just checking in after a busy weekend! Saturday had a bit of back ache - dh took little ds to his school hallowe'en party and I just vegged out at home. Watched some great old(ish) movies on tv sat night - The Omen and The Bad Seed - very entertaining! On Sunday we had that horrible windy/rainy weather - took dd shopping to the mall - she had $$ which was burning a hole in her pocket and just had to spend it! Bought herself some new runners and a pair of 'skinny' jeans - very happy child. Decided to be a fairy princess for hallowe'en so I spent a few hours (while she was at dance rehearsal) hunting down a pair of wings, tiara and a wand! Also got groceries. Ended up at chinese buffet w/dh and little ds - altho I did not overeat I know most of what I ate was definitely not core!

Last night went to movie w/dh - but was very tired - despite the EXTRA HOUR OF SLEEP! (yippee) have to keep changing all my watches as I wear them.

Tomorrow I am not in the office as I am doing my presentation at the conference downtown - I am already stressing about getting up early, getting ready - driving downtown, parking - and getting there by 8:15 am!!! I am not an early morning frouf.

Rhonda - congrats on your amazing control at the buffet - you are doing so well and are so motivated - good for you!

Vickie - think of all those extra calories you burned hanging those shower curtains - I can certainly relate to the 'height issue"! I made the cola meatballs last week - and dh made sloppy joes w/leftover ground beef - both very very yummy.

Kathy - how is your cubby mate doing? I too would freak about 15 extra pounds in 3 weeks (unless I was on some major cruise or something?).

And I was invited to Toronto this weekend to attend the bachelorette party of one of my cruise tablesmates (the one getting married in Vegas on nov 28th) - claiming I must attend and stay at her place as I would be the life of the party - too funny!

Paula - hope your dd is all cured - and it was nothing but a teeny little tummy bug - poor thing!

Melissa - how goes the battle? How is your PC doing? Any parties planned?

So is Sandra checking in anytime soon?

I am also stressing due to mortgage renegotiations - taking up a lot of our time as we are trying something very non-traditional and new (at least for canadians) - see www.smithman.net Have had 2 meetings so far with different financial peoplel - and another meeting wed night - and one pending bank meeting- my head is spinning with numbers and bank accounts and details - hard to sleep.

Now must go find USB port thing to take to conference tomorrow as I am neurotic and afraid they will have lost my ppt presentation!

Later,

Frouf

Hi All:

Whew, made it through all of today's meetings with lunch and cookies without caving in to the sugar and white flour. I did have a glass of wine at the reception. But, only one, then switched to Perrier. I also had some hard cheese, but only two wedges that I'd guess were about an ounce each.

We have our first private dance lesson tonight to see what we can put together for our first dance at our wedding reception. I'm coming down with a cold, which is OK....I'll just get the required Fall cold over with by the wedding.

Froufy, glad to see you back. And that poor woman, 15 pounds in three weeks....oh my, oh my.

Rhonda

Quiet night tonight....OK, I won't just talk to myself here...see you all tomorrow I hope!

Rhonda