Yes where is Carla----

Holly-day one completed and on a good note.

Mel--Poor cat. Keep reminding them about your check. Seems some want you to work for free. You are welcome to join me when I retire. I'm thinking about moving back to Paragould, but I need to be near one of my siblings.

Went to the gym last night as planned. Completed 21 minutes on the treadmill and did four weight machines for 19 minutes. I was tired. The rest was good.

I don't see anyone singing.

Carla's been lurking while she recovered from the latest visit to the SM. (Speaking of which, I do think the other meaning of S&M is both interesting and appropriate...) Anyway, the trip went okay and was mercifully short.

Yesterday was day 1 of clean eating. I really wasn't sure if I'd be on board or not. But the mornign weigh-in had me only half a pound up from my signature, so that was the encouragement I needed. With all the Halloween candy in every store, some kind of plan is the only way to survive. For some reason I have trouble resisting large bags of fun-size chocolate bars. especially when they're on special. I may just have to stay out of drugstores until mid-Nov.... My challenge is to try to stick to my food exchange plan, which allows a certain number of each food group per day. And, of course, wine is out of the questionpè^;0g
$# Oops - my big cat just decided to add his opinion of my post. More later - can't really type properly with a lap full of cat and laptop as well.

Good morning - just barely. I did the gym thing this morning from 8 to 9:30. Wow! Missing Monday really showed. The rest of the morning has gone down the tube with emails and phone calls.

I am off shortly to do pet therapy at the clinic. Lucy is really dragging so I will most likely take Hershey. This afternoon I will tackle those blasted plum tomatoes. I have my garden club meeting tonight and must go to avoid getting roped into working our display at the International Ploughing Match later in the month. I'll be working in finance in an air conditioned trailer instead which suits me. I'm debating about the garden club - several rather snotty people in it! I hate that.

On with clean eats! My ticker is finally not lying! Now I need to tackle Splash Mountain.

Morning all,
Mel, I doubt that the TFG will get here. I sent a message to the style **** stating that yes I had worked with him and that I have never seen him train anyone but have had reports that he is a charismatic trainer. But that I could state that his tech writing while okay had never been known to meet a deadline and if she wanted further info, to speak to me. She did, and she said she had already been having some doubts about his CV (Resume) because he professed that he had worked for the company before putting in a program called Business Warehouse for Plant Maintenance reporting. Well since the style **** has been here for years, she worked out that we don't use BW for PM, we only use it for Finance. Now here is a real point of interest for all of us who have to use a CV to get work. Never lie. This is such a small world that everyone knows someone or something that knows someone else.
She showed me the parts of his CV where we worked together at Wollongong, Groote and Townsville, and it is very cleverly written to assure the reader that he was perfectly capable of writing doco and training such things as Plant Maintenance, Supply Chain Management and Finance - with a little HR thrown in for good measure. In actual fact he only wrote a few finance docos and trained a few basic things. I went out to lunch with my friend Zen (no not Carla's cat) and we had a good laugh about it. Zen was his team lead on the last two projects. She wants to know who his referees are. So do I for that matter. This could out to be fun. I know, I know, I sound all *****y and spiteful and revengeful etc. etc. Not like me really.
Glad to hear the kitten is coming along. Some cats are totally laid back. I've seen some of those Rag Doll Cats that just go totally limp when you pick them up and then they go to sleep and you have to tote them around with dangly legs and head.

Sounds like the challenge is off to a good start - well for the rest of you. I'm having some motivation problems at the moment and I've been busy cleaning the place because the Rental ****s are coming in to check up on me today. I have no doubt that they will pick up on something somewhere. I'm also working 10 hour days and will be working one day of the weekend. Life doesn't get to be all that much fun at this stage of the project.

Carla so you are into S&M with the SM. Oh dear what an exciting life you lead. *snork* Whips, leather, chains, bondage. Oh what a life. Did you leave her tied up or did you only want to do that?

Time to get out of here and get on with the day - even if it is only to set an example for the troops - whom I gave some deadlines yesterday. Think they were a bit surprised.... and worried. I gave myself some too, so I'd better meet them or else.

soooooooooooooooo tired..... work , hockey, skates were too tight, crying boy, first ever piano lesson, end of year soccer meeting that went on for 2 *yawn* hours.....kids stayed at piano teachers/friends house til 9pm...borrowed skates for tomorrow....arranged school council meeting, set class lists for Sunday school....arranged with hubby for him to take off work early to take DS to a goalie clinic from 6-8 tomorrow...I work til 7:30pm and then Chair the School Council meeting from 8-9:30.........I need to wash pots and pans and put something together for the crock pot tomorrow, feed the critters.............
I did not over eat but did have a cookie. No cheese yet and i may still do some sit ups................ My neck and shoulders are all bunchy right now.....
breathing..........

I'm drowning in tomatoes! Help!

CEEJAY~ I BET THE FAMILY WILL LOVE YOUR MOVING BACK IN RETIREMENT. GOOD FOR YOU WITH THE GYM. HERE'S A SONG JUST FOR YOU:
I'm comin' home, I've done my time
Now I've got to know what is and isn't mine
If you received my letter telin' you I'd soon be free
Then you'll know just what to do if you still want me
If you still want me.

Tie a yellow ribbon 'round the old oak tree
It's been three long years
Do you still want me?
If I don't see a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree
I'll stay on the bus
Forget about us
Put the blame on me
If I don't see a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree

Bus driver, please look for me
'Cause I couldn't bear to see what I might see
I'm really still in prison, and my love she holds the key
A simple yellow ribbon's what I need to set me free
I wrote and told her please:

Now the whole damn bus is cheering
And I can't believe I see
A hundred yellow ribbons 'round the old oak tree
I'm comin' home

CARLA~ SORRY THE SM IS SUCH A DRAIN. BUT YOU CAN'T JUST LEAVE US TO OURSELVES WANDERING AROUND IN THE DESERT ALONE. YOU KNOW HOW HAPPY AND SHAD CAN BE BAD INFLUENCES ON THE REST OF US. JUST THINK OF ALL THE TROUBLE WE CAN GET INTO

SHAD~ I DIN'T KNOW WHETHER TO LAUGH OR CRY!! IT'S JUST A SHAME THEY WOULDN'T TAKE YOUR RECCOMENDATION OF THE ROOSTER. I HAVE KNOW MANY WHO FUDGED ON THEIR CV'S AND GOT GOOD AND CAUGHT. THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEONE SOMEWHERE WHO WILL ACTUALLY MAKE THAT CALL AND BACK CHECK!! GOOD LUCK WITH WHOEVER GETS THERE

RUTH~ I HATE SNOTTY PEOPLE TOO....BUT THEN I CAN BE A REAL SNOT MYSELF! POOR LUCY HAVE A GOOD DAY IN THE TRAILER!! MAKE SPAGHETTI SAUCE!!

HOLLY~ KEEP BREATHING...I HEAR IT'S GOOD FOR YOU!! WHEN I READ YOUR POSTS I AM ALWAYS GLAD JEN IS 39!!!!

OFF TO THE SUPERMARKET. IT'S ALMOST TIME. NOTHING NEW TO REPORT. HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT DAY. I HAD A LIVERWURST ON A HARDROLL TUESDAY....NO ON MY PLAN!!! I LOOKED INTO MY CRYSTAL BALL AND I SEE A LAXATIVE IN MY FUTURE!
HAPPY THURSDAY!

This is me mostly venting. Why does everyone start everything this week????? What is wrong wiht the 2nd week of Sept anyhow. I bet it feels lonely.

Ruth- I want to make salsa this weekend!! How's Lucy.
HUGS Mel- today I am looking forward to looking back and laughing about days like yesterday.

7am-Feeling frazzled. it took me an hour last night, laying in bed, to relax the tension in my body enough to fall asleep. I felt so guilty about DS’s skates being too small and he was upset and consequently was nasty to me, the goalie equipment was not great I was upset and mostly kept it in check.........

There is a free goalie clinic tonight. Hubby is leaving work early and taking him. Another dad dropped me off 2 pairs of skates last night to try and another goalie mom is bringing some goalie skates to the rink tonight for DS to try. I bought new mouth guards last night. My reason for being upset is partly because I know jack squat about hockey. Hubby has played all of his life . He knows what is required. I am constantly asking questions and am 1 step behind. He at least didn’t go off on me when we got home last night. He knew the skates were too small and didn’t do anything about it. He had all weekend ( or summer) to outfit the boy.

And if one more parent or kid asks me why DS was not at the goalie camps or power skating camps this summer I will scream. They are $300.00- $500.00 each. The regular season is $1000.00. We are poor. How can these people fork of $16,000.00 for sewers and then put their kids in 5 different camps all summer.Many of these people farm or work in trades like us how can they possibly afford it.

oops...I vented............

I work from 12-7:30 today. Between 9-11:30 I have sooooo much to do. i can take some paperwork to work to work on when I am not busy there.

9am-Still feeling frazzled but the kids are off to school and they have healthy lunches and snacks and appropriate notes were sent, behaviour mod done while waiting for the bus sucessfully!, good convo with the kids this morning, healthy breakfast ingested, DS practised his piano............
Kids loved their first piano lesson.

I am feeling less stressed already...............

Here's a tomato or six to pitch, Hollyhock! I'm half done the bushel now. I may persuade Claire to take some. Her darling DH did two dump runs for me this morning and that could be a sort of thank you. ~~~ evil laugh ~~~

Mel, I adore liverwurst and keep taking it off the shelf and then putting it back when I see the fat and calories. I just may make some spaghetti sauce - I have peppers and onions and some frozen ground chicken and beef. I love having it on hand in small servings for those winter nights when I need carbs. I have a spaghetti squash baking and may make a couple of squash and tomato casseroles for the freezer.

Carla, where does SM live? I need to know so I can avoid her.

Shad, I love it when somebody gets their comeuppance. Dumb a$$ guy!

Ceejay, thanks for cluing me in on Paragould. I Googled it and it looks rather nice. 22,000 people is about the right size for me now that I'm a country chick.

to Meadow and Happy and PainterWoman.

I did take Lucy to do pet therapy yesterday and she did OK. My local vet dropped in during the afternoon and brough me a good book about pets living with cancer. Apparently chemo for dogs is not as horrible as it is for humans and Leslie asked me to keep an open mind about it.

Whoops! Just realized I need to iron the Church linens this morning before it gets too hot. I hope to heck I don't manage to get tomato stains on them.

Well, I'm back, after having been so rudely interrupted by a large grey moulting mooch... But Mel's right - you lot need me to keep you all in line.

Today's weigh-in reminded of something I already knew but chose to ignore - bbq'ing and eating large Italian sausages is not a scale-friendly activity. And cooking an extra sausage 'for tomorrow' just leads to over-indulgence tonight. Oh well. Lesson learned, at least til next time, and once the salt and fat have worked themselves thru the system Mr Scale may be my friend again. At least it was very, very good. So far today has been OP, and I do have lots of the right kind of foods on hand, so no excuses.

Exercise is still in the planning stage - felt quite proud of myself on Tuesday to use a coupon for 2 months at a local gym at a reduced price. Hmmm - isn't signing on and paying enough? Do I really have to get my dimpled butt over there? Sheesh! Maybe later today... The weather today is a little on the steamy side after several days of coolth (new word - do y'all like it?), so I'm thinking about a quick trip to the lake.

Ruth, I sure wish you were close enough for me to zip down and relieve you of the excess tomatoes! I just love making simple greek salads - just cukes, tomatoes, feta, olive oil and lemon and oregano. Yumm.
I'm glad to hear that Lucy's doing well. Do you do the pet therapy with adults, kids, seniors? I've been thinking my big grey cat would be ideal as a therapy cat. He's gentle and absolutely loves attention and meeting new people. It might cut his boredom and make him happier. Who did you contact to find out how to get involved in it?

Shad, what delicious revenge on the idiot, who no doubt thought no one would ever know how creative he'd been on his CV. Hoist on his own petard, right? Do you think your rooster might stand a better chance now?

Mel, Jen's kitten sounds adorable. I can't believe anyone was just going to discard the poor baby without trying to alleviate its pain. They do get expensive, as I found out to my shock, but still... Between my boy's anxiety/boredom/self-mutilation problem and my little girl's missing tear ducts and the discharge and rawness and discomfort it causes her, I think I've probably helped the local vet renovate her house. And of course neither problem is even slightly corrected. Grrr. Does this mean that your grandson will now live with you all the time? Lovely for both of you if that's the case! Company for you, and a smoke-free environment for him to be spoiled rotten by his nana!
Did you get your cheque yet? Maybe if you send them a written request, using the British/Canadian spelling, they'll be so thrown they'll meekly cough up the cash...

Happy, I'm pretty sure you're still away, but I did want to send my condolences on the loss of your aunt. Like the others here, I'm so glad for you that you had had the chance for a long talk with her not too long ago. Drive carefully, and come back to us soon.

Painter, I had no idea just how many in this gang are artistically inclined! Except me, of course. No talent at all around here! But it is an ability I'd love to have.

Holly, sounds like you had a frustrating few days, but things are looking up, right? As for the people who seem to have bags of money to pay for goodies, I often wonder the same thing. Their credit cards and lines of credit are probably maxed out keeping up with the Joneses. I'm more like you - don't want to spend what I don't have.

Ceejay, you're right that there's not a lot of singing going on, although I noticed Mel's doing her bit. Maybe we're all too busy exercising and counting calories and writing it all down to type up our lyrics. Here's a short excerpt for now, in honour of my return to work tomorrow :
"I don't want to work
I just want to bang on the drum all day..."
I did say it was a short excerpt...

Madcat, I do like your plan, with the get out of jail free cards. I'm glad I didn't adopt it though, as last night would have used up at least three of the five... I'll be working for a few days in TO late November - let's both do really, really, well with our clean eating for the next while, and then we can get together and have guilt-free drinks while we ooh and aah about each other's tiny waist and dress size...

That reminds me - I had an NSV yesterday. My jeans are too big, and while I haven't found new ones yet, I did buy a new pair of casual pants in size 14 that fit extremely well! Lots of stretch in them, of course, but still...

Bye all. to those I've missed - there's always someone I forget.

Morning all,
Went out to dinner last night with one of the roosters from the Townsville project. We had a giggle about the tfg and his cv. Dinner was Indian, very nice although just a little too hot for me. I didn't get on the scales this morning. Wine plus Indian food does not add up to clean eating.
The other rooster, whom I wanted to get on this project is now working in Sydney so the style **** left it too late for that. Don't know who I will get now. Us PM types are few and far between at the moment and many of the older trainers are moving into Change Management - they have had enough. There are a great number of projects going on at the moment so all trainers, good or bad are hard to find. Tfg being turned down for a job is probably a historical comment.

Holly - how can you beat yourself up about the skates and goalie gear? First the DH has been taking the kid to hockey classes - why didn't he know about it? Secondly, it is not you playing the game, why can't the child be expected to look after his own gear - cleaning, checking, complaining they are too small or too old or whatever. Sometimes we have to take responsibility for our own actions. Now is a good time to learn that lesson. I seem to remember that we had one reminder about a month before the start of a season to check things fit, were fit to wear and whether we were fit to wear 'em. Leave it too late, you didn't get to play for the season. End of discussion. My folks didn't have that much either, but they tended to budget for things for sport. I did the same for my two as well.

Ruth - Bet the gift of the book bought a few tears to the eyes. I didn't know they even did chemo on dogs!! Wish I lived closer cos I would be up there for some tomatoes. Nothing beats tomato sandwiches with fresh wholemeal bread and a dab of good butter apart from if you put some good cheese and avocado with the tomatoes. Oh bother, now I want, I want, I want.

Carla, I hope you took the opportunity to go for a swim in the lake. I see spring has sprung here. There's a place called Araluen out in the hills, and the tulips are out en masse there. This morning I noticed the azaleas in bloom on the road down to the office. The Red Wing azalea have been out for ages but now the delightful pink and white ones are out as well. And the primroses are blooming. So it will soon be time to go to the wildflower fields and take a look at the natural phenomena.

Speaking of phenomena, I see the Canadians got made the scapegoat for a local comedy company breach of security at the APEC meeting in Sydney. Apparently they dolled their vehicles up to look like a Canadian delegation (wonder where they got the authentic looking stickers from??) and got through 2 checkpoints before they got nabbed at the 3rd outside George Bush's hotel. One of them was dressed as Osama Bin Laden for heavens sake. All those millions spent on security and 2 checkpoints failed

Sad news also that the Singing Whale ie Luciano Pavarotti has passed away. Many years ago, I saw a tv special where he and his father sang together in a cathedral in Italy (Modena, Firenze, Milano????). Two soaring and glorious voices. And who can forget him singing the lead in Aida some years back.

Anyway, we have officially been given the message to get on with it and work harder and that we may claim overtime if necessary. So now I guess they may bring a port-a-loo to the end of each desk and expect us to keep on working!!!! Apparently we are at 22% done and should be at 56% done. However we can only do what we can do. I'll give it a shot, but won't be crying if it doesn't happen.

Better get on with it!

PS - Carla, great NSV there. Keep it up.

I'm feeling extremely satisfied with myself - actually got off the couch and went for that swim. The water is pretty chilly, but still acceptable on a hot day like today. This time I watched the time, and the same distance as last time was about 30 minutes without stopping. Not all that many calories burned - I don't crawl (freestyle), just breaststroke, sidestroke, and a little back crawl. I really should get some kind of floaty thing to take with me now the beach is "closed" and there's no lifeguard. Not that they'd save me anyway, swimming outside the supervised area. If all goes well tomorrow, I may get another (maybe final) swim in either in the morning or after I finish work. It's supposed to be another hot, humid day. that it works out - no guarantees that the weather will be hot again after that.

Shad, is this your big chance to work so much overtime you can afford to retire on the proceeds? Or do you get straight time for OT and then have to give most of it to the feds in taxes like here? As for Indian dinner out, here's a just like I gave myself after the sausage incident... The youngsters amongst us are counting on you to set an example.

Youngsters? Youngsters? Ain’t no one here but we chickens!!

I’ve been working my butt off in the gym this week and I am pleased that I have only had pre-planned slip-ups as far as food goes. I have been recording everything in WW online and I feel pretty good - except that I still feel kinda dizzy and a bit out of sorts. I suspect it could be either allergies or I need new glasses. Or both. My head hurts most of the time, but I can live with it. Stupid ragweed. Enough whinging.

Carla~ good for you being out there and swimming. And you should probably wear a life jacket or some other flotation device if you are out there alone. But how nice that you get those last few strokes it. It amazing how quickly the water loses it summer warmth. And if signing up for a gym without having to go was enough there would be an awful lot of thin people sitting on their couches!

Shad~ The tech writing / training community is like that here too. Everyone knows everyone and the work is so plentiful that if you wait too long all the good people are snapped up. Just like we have always said – never piss anyone off because you never know who is going to be hiring next week. And he is an idiot to lie on a CV in a community that small. I’m glad you don’t have to put up with the twit on this project. I was listening to some of the Pavarotti coverage on the radio today. What a lovely voice he had. He will be missed. Yikes! To your schedule at least they are willing to pay for the extra effort. Good luck with it.

Ruth~ Aha what an evil way to get rid of tomatoes by using them as a thank you. Next you are going to be standing in dark doorways near a local high school offering them to students. “C’mon kid, it’s only one little plum tomato. One won’t hurt you…” Do you can things? Good luck with whatever you decide for Lucy.

Holly~ Doesn’t seem fair that the DH doesn’t step up and deal with equipping the boy for hockey. Seems like the easiest solution - but when are things easy? You can vent all you want. Parenting is a full time job in itself. Lousy pay but pretty decent retirement plan.

Mel~ Thanks for the song. Now its stuck in my head! I’ll have to think of a song to post. Fro a group that is supposed to be singing we are a pretty mute lot! Jen’s kitty sounds lovely. She could always just calculate how much a lb he’s worth now. And maybe he’s not stupid – just drawing her into a false sense of security. Have you ever seen the website with the pictures from the guy who hooked a camera up to his cat? They are really quite neat… lots of shots from under cars and looking up through tall grass.

Ceejay~ Good work on the gym visit.

Ok, I better get out of here and get some stuff done. I’ve been thinking I really want to work hard and see if I can get back into the 160s by my birthday in late October. That would be nice. We’ll see how it goes. Night ladies present and missing and missed.

Music, you want music??

Para bailar la Bamba
Para bailar la Bamba
Se necesita una poca de gracia (note 1)
Una poca de gracia, por ti sere, por ti sere, por ti sere

Bamba, Bamba
Bamba, Bamba
Bamba, Bamba
Bamba, Bamba

Yo no soy marinero
Yo no soy marinero
Soy capitan, soy capitan, soy capitan

Bamba, Bamba
Bamba, Bamba
Bamba, Bamba
Bamba, Bamba

Here's the Spanish words to La Bamba and if you want to sing along, click thishttp://www.musicalspanish.com/bambasample.htm

I had to google this and I will not be dancing--it gave that too
I'm singing in the rain, just singing in the rain, I'm happy again
Yes it finally rained today. It was a beautiful sight and the sounds of thunder awesome. We got over 2 inches.

Madcat--It's kinda hard getting into the swing of things of this challenge but once that happens you'll begin to see a difference in the way you feel except for the allergies. Here it's both the farmers arial apraying and the rag weed. Golden rod is ready to bloom. I'm repaired. I've restocked the allergy meds. Not that it does any good.

Holly--Hubby should be taking your son to the hocky practices and getting him geared up. You do well.

On a good note the scale said 179.0 this morning. It's been a 85% day for me. My water intake was nil, drank diet 7 ups, weights were not done and over on fat grams due to the blueberry muffins. I couldn't stop at just one. Exercise was done at home on the bike for 30 minutes.