I've been doing pretty well with the 1st one-weeker, and intend to get ready for another starting Monday. I've been working for a new company and will be pretty much non-stop - 1 week down and 3 to go. It will be good to be able to start getting debt paid down though

I had a wonderful experience yesterday. DH and I headed out of town, trying to find somewhere different to walk. I suddenly thought "Let's head out to the beach!" and we did. I felt a huge surge of excitement as soon as I saw the dunes, and when we got out of the car, I just ran to the edge of the surf - so thrilling! Considered restraining myself but decided against it - wooo-hoo! I don't know when I felt so alive in recent years! We walked along the beach, a beautiful sunny day (not warm, though). I am reminded how much I need such-like in my life.

Just thinking, it's been a very good week in some ways. I did the second-to-last interview for the year for a series I write about local artists and had a wonderful chat with the artist about deep and thought-provoking areas. Great talk, and I also feel like I may have found a new friend. She was very happy with the article, too, and I feel pretty good about it.

Add in the big, happy family party I hosted last Sunday, the fact that I'm recovering from whatever the hellish neck thing was, and the fact that I'm making some money --- Yes, it's been a good week


Ohhhhh, SO much to say to everyone, and yet I know that if I start now I'll be here for another hour that I can't spare... I'm going to try to do installments, I think. A few at a time...

Flower, a huge congrats to you! And your dress was wonderful -- like Eydie, I definitely want one for myself. Hmmmm.... did you say you got it mail order?

Anagram, that is FANTASTIC news! Oh, to reclaim the sweetness of everyday life after such a time! Enjoy!

Amarantha, thanks for the 1-Weeker! I'm going to start a new one on Monday. Last week wasn't perfect, but I really did pretty well, and the commitment was a big part of that!

Kaylets, thank you for the continued thoughts and questions - even when I don't have time to read all the posts, I try to go back and get all of these. Table manners -- always appropriate (at least when one is not alone) IMO. However, these are situational. Some are fixed, though -- chewing with mouth closed being one example.

Eydie, wouldn't we look fabulous in that dress!!! I must say, I really appreciate knowing what you look like. Gorgeous!

Okey-dokey. Time to be productive. Love to all, mentioned or unmentioned! Let's make this a Wonder-full day!

Struggling to hold on today....DH and I were out doing errands and I was suddenly famished...headache, shaky, couldn't concentrate...drop in blood sugar! The closest thing was a KFC, and I had their new chicken fillet sandwich. Okay, so it was about half the calories I wanted to eat for the whole day, but I'm trying to salvage the day with lots of water to flush out the extra fat, and a big salad planned for supper with these great frozen chicken quesadillas that are only 253 calories each. Topped with a little salsa, they're great!

I'll go for a trek on the treadmill later to burn off some of those unplanned extra calories. Life happens, right? Just a week ago I would have turfed the whole day since I'd already blown it at lunch, but ....I'm getting back on the horse!

The of Bargains has struck again! I found these gorgeous men's dress pants on sale...regular $60.00 a pair, they were going for $19.99 (AND came with a leather belt), so I bought hubby two pairs in navy and a dark taupe. They fit him perfectly and have such a nice drape to them! I just have to hem them for him.

I got a yummy recipe from a friend for Morning Glory muffins that I'm eager to try. I just have to figure out how to calculate the per muffin calories/fat/carb/protein/etc. I've thought of looking it all up on FitDay and adding all the ingredients together. Any other ideas?

Eydie, every once in a while it's a good thing to restate our goals and the reasons for aspiring to them. This weight thing is on my mind every day, every minute....but sometimes I forget why it's so important and see it more as a burden. Of course we all want to look better, fit into smaller clothes, etc....but those are the superficial reasons. I'm working on finding out WHY I eat when I'm not really hungry. What is this strange relationship I have with food, and why do I have it with food and not people? Hmmmm...

Arabella, your day at the beach sounds divine! I'm trying to convince hubby that we need a week by ourselves on PEI, perhaps after DD goes to stay with my sister this summer. I'm going to start shopping around for a cabin. The ones we stayed in a few years ago for the family reunion were wonderful, but quite pricey for a week. We don't need something so large if it's just the two of us.

Kaylets, in my not so humble opinion, good table manners are ALWAYS appropriate! There is nothing so completely annoying to me than people who chew with their mouths open, slurp soup or beverages, talk with their mouths full, shovel food, etc. My very proper grandmother made sure we knew it all, and it has worked! I'm amazed with the table manners (well, lack thereof) of some people we encounter in restaurants. They would be better suited to feeding troughs! Okay, rant over.

Going to surf on PEI...will be back later!

Hi everyone!

Spoke w/ mom today and she likes the initial idea I came up w/ the ivy !! SO I ran and bought more of the inexpensive candles in glass and will go and find more ivy-- not sure how big a "wreath" I want at the base. Am also wondering how it would like with just a hint of gold glitter sprayed on the glass......


Oh, dear, KFC-- I would be in trouble too!! Its amazing to me how we are carrying extra weight but we still forget to eat!?!
Good going on the bargain for DH!! Nothing like well dressed man.

Yes Arabella-- good for you, "Just doing it" --- Sounds like you couldnt believe how long it had been since you'd been there!!
Your description had me selling saltwater and hearing seagulls!!

As for table manners--- when did talking w/ food in your mouth become acceptable? Talking on the phone much less!! Since when do we not have enough time to finish swallowing??
Never forget the first time the stepchildren saw me french fries w/ a fork. Of course, I know that's a stretch but still priceless.

Speaking of which, did I mention DS is now working at a pizza place? And might even have a job next week at a CD/DVD store??
We'll see what happens..........

well, the rhubarb is back up in the garden!
Which reminds me, remember last summer when I was hauling water outside from my dehumidifier to water my baby dwarf fruit trees during the drought?? They're budding!!! One of apple trees is even flowering!! Now there's a lesson in patience !!
I thought for sure I'd lose all of them and all 3 came back!! The rasberry bushes are doing a crazy Robin Williams impression and trying to take over whereever they can reach " We're BACK- AND we're not going to climb the trellis" -- My new climbing hydrangeas are budding and growing too- But the blueberry bushes are gone -- gone without a trace-- oh well-

not bad I guess, the crabapple tree would have gotten too big and we knew we'd have to dig it up. That's why we got the 3 dwarf fruit trees- and the blueberry bushes were really really tiny so it would have been a long time b/4 we saw fruit from them.
So-- as I said, during those hot, dry days, I wondered why I was lugging water when all things pointed to a waste of time.
Some things just need time. Like it or not.

Think we're running out to the library. We ordered Signs and its in.

I'll be back !!

Wildfire, let me know if you're coming to PEI. I would love to get together while you were here!

Kaylets, I so envy you all your fruit! We had wild blueberries, raspberries and strawberries the last place we lived, but you would literally have to spend the day collecting them if you wanted to have enough to do anything with -- other than a sprinkle on cereal.

Feeling rather satisfied after my big salad and 48 oz of water! Finishing my eating for the day with a hot cup of coffee...I don't indulge often in coffee, but I do enjoy it when I do. The carafe is full, help yourselves!

You know, if we believed everything we read on those information pamphlets they give you with prescriptions now, you'd never take medicine again! The NSAID my doc prescribed for the pain in my back has some doozies....stomach bleeding, nausea, vomiting, headache, impaired concentration...hey, this is supposed to HELP, not make things worse! We shall see...

Kaylets, so I'm NOT the only one who eats french fries with a fork! My grandmother taught us that the only time you eat french fries with your fingers is if it is fast food, because they don't supply proper utensils!! If you order them in a real restaurant, you should use your fork. I believe her only exceptions that counted as finger food were spareribs and bacon. I've since added chicken wings to that list because they are impossible to eat with a fork and knife. Hubby and I have an ongoing debate in which I insist that pork chops are NOT finger food!

I totally agree...there is nothing like a well-dressed man! Our company allows casual dress, and I'm trying to convince him to get out of his jeans more...er...that is, to not wear them as often...he looks great in them, but I like to see him dressed up, too! I save my jeans for Fridays. I just don't feel professional wearing jeans to work every day.

I think a spray of gold would be very nice on the candles.

You know, your story about watering the fruit trees has a lesson....one we should apply to ourselves. Even when it seems like our efforts are in vain, one day we'll see the results!

I liked Signs, but I found it to be more about his family than the aliens. I was expecting a scary movie, but it really wasn't.

Arabella, I was thinking the same...wouldn't it be great to get together? If we are able to go, it would be sometime in August. Of course, by then we're going to be at or near goal and we can take fabulous pictures to share with the rest of the group! Most likely we'll stay in the Cavendish area. I want to be a stone's throw from the shore. Someday I'm going to live on PEI. Or at least spend June - October there each year!

I've babbled enough....better finish those dishes.

Okay, now I'm really getting envious ... I've lived in PEI off and on in my imagination ever since I first read Anne of Green Gables and the sequels ... and reread them ... and reread them ... and ...

Made some bodybuilder oatmeal cookies today with oatmeal (2 cups), Myoplex Lite vanilla powder (one scoop), turabundo (sp?) sugar (one tablespoon), egg (one), baking powder (dash), DaVinci SF vanilla syrup (dash). Made nine good sized cookes at 96 calories each, rather low in sugar and decent in protein and fiber.

Just felt like posting that!

Hello all!!

Have been reminded this am in the planning of my folks' party how "brainstorming" can start so many great ideas and carry the process to a higher level.

Common goals plus shared energy. That's the secret of support groups-- For all our many differences, we are still more alike than different. We come here to share, we leave motivated. We understand by extending ourselves, we are helping ourselves.

Spring is the season of renewal. We've been celebrating renewal and recommitment each day, each meal, each choice. We are in a very real sense, recreating our life styles--
By sharing our energies, we are taught as much as we teach.
We are discovering fire!!!!!!!!!


Today's thought is:

"Perhaps this very instant is your time....." Louise Bogan


Today's question is:

"What is your favorite book? " from Table Topics


Empress, I think we have a good idea of one of yours!!
But how did the cookies taste??


I 'm getting hungry!

Arabella, I enjoyed my vision of you at the beach! How often do you get to go? Makes me want to go back...

Wildfire, did you make your morning glory muffins? I love those--like little carrot cakes for breakfast! If when you analyze the calorie count of your muffins and it turns out to be something lethal, I have a recipe for them from 'Cooking Light' that I could share.

Amarantha, thanks for posting your recipe. I have some Spiritein plain protein powder---maybe I could substitute that. I need to make myself some treats that I can take to work this week.

Kaylets, I really do enjoy your questions! My favorite book of all time is "The Mists of Avalon" by Marian Zimmer Bradley. What's yours?

Happy Easter to those who celebrate!

Hey, wouldn't it be cool if we all met this summer...say on PEI? I would love to plan a get-together where we could all spend a weekend together. Somewhere more central, though, as PEI would be quite a distance for most of you! What a fabulous weekend that would be!

Amarantha, what is turabundo? You really have to visit PEI if you've never been. It's the prettiest place...."untouched" is how I see it. There are still vast fields and farmland and seascapes at every turn, and quaint little towns and the friendliest people.

I don't think I could name one favorite book. I've read too many that I really enjoyed!

Eydie, no I haven't made the muffins yet. I need a few ingredients first. Of course I'm going to substitute applesauce for the oil the recipe calls for, and use egg beaters instead of eggs!

I posted my success with the one-week challenge on that thread, but I have to tell you all I lost 3lbs this week!

So, have we made any decisions on a new thread? How about Victoria Day, May 19th? We can use Amarantha's inspirational quote from the Queen about not entertaining the possibility of failure? We shall all be Victory Queens. That would be four weeks away, and after that we could go to Canada/Independance Day which would be six weeks. Any takers? Other suggestions? Yeas or Nays?

Wildfire-- I love it! Yes, it would add just the right touch to remind
us how we regal we really are!!

I really think its the best!! And a chance to learn more about the holiday too!!

Did I hear you volunteering to start us off?? I think I hear the movers coming up path to help rearrange the parlor-- They await your command!!!

what do you think??


As for favorite books, yes, I too have many-- I still love James Michner -- have reread The Souce, Cheseapeake and Centennial many times- also loved Sarum by an author I can't recall--
Those books are great to get lost in. As for inspiration and reflection-- the last novel that made me really think was "The Hand Maidens Tale"-- I recommend it if you are not familiar- If you saw the movie, please read the book, the movie did not do it justice. Victoria Moran's books gave me much to think about as well as Max Lucado and two books by Mother Teresa. As you can see, my taste in books is as ecclectic as my taste in music. I do favor biographies --

Need to run out for a minute- DH and I got a terrific deal on eggplant las t night and he is baking eggplant slices to freeze but some will go into a casserole for dinner.

PS-- Did one coat of glitter on the candle glass and I think we have a winner!

Hmmm. I DID misspell it ... it's turbinado aka washed raw pure cane sugar ... I love it and live under the impression it is healthier than the refined kind. Soon I'm going to have oatmeal with that in it!

I would love to come to PEI and visit with all of you ... except I don't have anyone to take care of Old Dog and Silly Cat ... must think on this!

I'm going to change my profile to reflect a Victoria Day goal ... since I do a weigh-in on Sundays, May 18 will be my Victoria Day goal. As you might notice, I'm fond of Queen Victoria, so that should work out nicely!

Yes, the Anne books are among my favorites ... but gosh that's a hard question if one tries to narrow it down ... one wants to say something quite adult and erudite, but in truth it's children's books and light reading that have had the most impact on my life ... here's a list of my top favorites ... can't get it any closer than that ... these aren't in any order:

The Anne books

Little Women & sequels

Gone With the Wind

The Hobbit & Ring Triology

The Harry Potter books

The Rubiyat of Omar Khayyam (sp?)

Islandia

East of Eden

Amarantha, thanks for the explanation of turbinado. I'd never heard of it before. Is it alright, then, if we borrow your Queen Victoria inspiration? Old Dog could travel with you to PEI (if Old Dog is the travelling type) but Silly Cat probably wouldn't like it so much.

Kaylets, sure, I'll start the new thread! Maybe later tonight, so it will be fresh and waiting for everyone on Fresh Start Monday.

What shall we be? Victorious Victorias? Victory Queens? Or maybe we should have Queen Victoria's Royal Court? I'm open to anything, so if any of you creative personalities can come up with a zinger, please share!

I'm off to ye Royal Treadmill.

Still rosy from a nap-

Wildfire- any of those choices sounds fine to me- especially the Royal Court but you know best.

Looks like its 70 degrees and for sure its very sunny. Dogs have been in and out 1/2 dozen times and once even dozed off in the sun on the patio.

PEI sounds like fun ! Never been over the border- came close but never officially left the US.

Maybe a cup of tea is in order.

Turbinado is super in chai ... will whisk one off to the islands with a taste!

I like Victory Queens or any of the names, Wildfire!

Don't think they'd let Old Dog cross the border. I used to go to Canada all the time when I lived in Michigan, but never so far as PEI! My favorite thing to do there, unfortunately, was to eat something called a butter tart ... you don't want to know how delicious these were or how calorific. What was I thinking?

Have to go back to work now. This doesn't seem like a holiday at all. I really need a new profession.

I've changed the name of my personal weight loss initiative to Project One Two Three ... will report tonight or tomorrow morning in the boot camp thread ... am doing fab if I say so myself!

Oh, Amarantha, I know allllll about butter tarts! Very well acquainted with them! They even made the MasterCard commercials here in Canada...Buttertarts $2.50/dozen....something about a hockey stick being $15.00, Canoe lesson $50.00...living in a country with the freedom to do all this, priceless. Or something like that.