Haqppy, thanks for the kind words, and I am focusing on my DD too, prayers do help, I sometimes just need a reminder.

Sometimes when I am bored at work all I want to do is snack. I just ate some of Amy's cherries she brought. My goodness they were the plumpest, meatiest, sweet cherries I have had all season. I could of ate them all, but didn't want to start oinking at work.

MICHELLE~ MY COMMON SENSE FLIES OUT THE WINDOW WHEN I WANT TO DO SOMETHING. I THINK IT'S HUMAN NATURE TO IGNORE THE POOR BODY AND WHAT WE ALREADY KNOW WE SHOULDN'T BE DOING!! HOPE YOU FEEL BETTER ALL OVER SOON

ANNIE~ I AM SOOOO HAPPY TO HEAR ABOUT MOM AND HAVE THE DD IN MY HEART ALSO. GOTTA THINK POSITIVE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. DREAMS REALLY DO COME TRU!

JEANETTE~ YOU SOUND VERY UPBEAT AND GAVE ME THE IDEA FOR FALL CLEANING. SOMETHING I COULD GET GOING ON NEXT WEEKEND. THANKS. HAVE A GREAT CEE-DAY WEEKEND!!

HAPPY~ WHEN ANNIE COMES UP WITH A PLACE FOR US TO BEGIN OUR WORLDLIE'S COMMUNE....BRING THE YURTS!! THAY HAVE BEEN ON MY MIND ALL DAY SINCE I WAS WATCHING A TRAVEL SHOW LAST WEEK.
IF I TAKE THE MAINTENANCE MEN MAYBE THEY WILL GIVE ME ROSES TOO!

A FRIEND BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION "THE ZONE DIET" BY DR BARRY SEARS. I HAVEN'T LOOKED AT IT FOR YEARS...MAYBE THE 90'S. SO I GOOGLED STUFF FOR HER AND PRINTED IT ALL OUT TO MAKE HER A "BOOK" OF SORTS. SHE WANTS SOME SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT. I ALSO ORDERED BOOKS FROM THE LIBRARY AND WE'RE LOOKING INTO IT...ONE OF THEM IS "THE ANTI-INFLAMMATION ZONE". I AM READING IT OVER THE WEEKEND FOR SOME IDEAS. BOTH MY FACE AND BODY HAVE INFFLAMMATION ISSUES AND I AM LOOKING FOR IDEAS TO KEEP THE INFLAM. DOWN. CAN'T HURT. I ALSO CAME ACROSS THE "FLAT BELLY DIET" ON WWW.PREVENTION.COM
THAT IS BASED ON THE STOMACH AND FOODS THAT BOTHER IT ALSO. SO FAR I GOT SOME INFO TO MULL OVER.
I'M NOT LOOKING FOR A DIET PER SE BUT MAYBE THERE IS MORE INFO OUT THERE TO SPEED UP THIS FACE CRAP. CERTAINLY MY INFLAMMATORY CONDITION FOR THE BODY COULD BENEFIT AS WELL. NOW THAT I HAVE WRITTEN A BOOK....I WILL LEAVE YOU TO ALL HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

TOMORROW I WILL BE AT TRADER JOE'S ARMED WITH MY NEW LIST OF INGREDIENTS EVER THE OPTIMIST!!
HAVE A GREAT THURSDAY TOMORROW

My personal mantra is going to be Seriously Starting Over Again In September

HAPPY~ I JUST WENT BACK TO AUGUST TO FIND SOMETHING AND FOUND YOUR MANTRA....THOUGHT IT WAS WORTHY OF BEING REPEATED. JUST INCASE WE HAVE SOME WORLDLY LURKERS OUT THERE THAT NEED A BIT OF SERIOUS SEPTEMBER SISTERLY BUTT KICKING

Hello all, pretty much caught up - with the thread, not work. Never caught up w/ work.

Annie – Wow, 72 hour workweeks. I would be feeling mighty sorry for myself. But you seem to be relishing the challenge! Still want to urge you to get enough rest! Hope you and DS have a good couple days and a nice b-day celebration (cowboy style, huh). I am with you on the challenge! I have been completely off track with exercise this summer, and have been totally self-indulgent as far as eating for quite some time. I will weigh in tomorrow morning and maybe change my ticker for the Halloween goal. Good news about your mum!

Ceejay – Enjoy your time off. Ugh, hate that internal alarm clock sometimes! Watch that blood pressure. BF's mum went to the hospital for 2 days of testing last week due to complications w/ high bp. She is now on different bp meds, and she takes it twice a day for more consistency. I guess the elevated bp levels caused muscle spasms and soreness, heart pain, etc. and it'll take a couple weeks to recover.

Happy – Oh, another stay in the yurt. Sounds delightful. And how about the roses from DH? Awww, very sweet of him. My bf is also handy, but I prefer to be out of the house when he gets handy – he can't undertake a project w/o much cursing going on over indecipherable instructions, etc. Thanks for egg tips. Didn't know about adding salt to the water for easier peeling. We rarely make egg salad, but sometimes we make egg sandwiches. We like using our "vintage" egg slicer to slice the eggs, and then put the little round slices on toast spread w/ mayo, seasoned w/ salt & pepper. We eat them open faced.

Mel –Thanks for starting our great new Sept. thread! Glad you had a relaxing day yesterday. You should keep that sign on your door for a few more days!

Michelle – Glad to hear your lungs are feeling better and you're back to exercising. Lately I've had off and on episodes of heavy chest/congested chest/wheezy breathing, nothing severe, most noticeable lying in bed. For the past few days though, no problems. Wonder if it has to do w/ the dry weather the past several days? I will soon need to cancel the appointment w/ the lung specialist (made way back when) if I decide it's not needed. I might cancel regardless and just go see my regular allergist, because the practice also treats asthma patients.

Shad – LOL re adjusting to the new hearing aids. Hope you get to walk w/ Chris tomorrow. Just don't catch her flu!

Muddling through the work week. Of course the weather of the past three days of this week is a total 180 from the last three dismal days of last week, and now I'm stuck inside the office. Boo. Monday night was a dog walk. Last night went to the movie "Post Grad". Entertaining enough, not gonna win any Oscars. Nothing planned tonight, except maybe another dog walk – need to enjoy this weather while it's nice! The gym and my basement will still be there waiting for me when the weather takes its inevitable turn. Although, we'll still have to get out with the dog even when it's ugly outside. Last year when it was so cold, we were just letting him out in the yard long enough to do his biz and not going for walks. After a while he started going a little batty. Won't get into details, but lesson learned!

Have a great evening everyone!

Morning all,

Thursday here which means start weight day for Annies Challenge. So I am currently at 81.1 (which is down from 83.2 by the way) and I want to be at 78 at end of challenge. That's going to be some challenge.

Anyway, I have places to go and people to annoy today. I will be back later to read and post properly. Have a good day/ night.

What's that Shad - down about 4 American pounds?????

Good on yah woman!!!!

That is pretty agressive for Annie's challenge but you are one determined lady so go for it!

Good morning ladies,

Guess I'm the first one in here.

Laura - I could not get along without my "vintage" egg slicer. Even if it's just to chop some eggs into a garden salad. Can't imagine trying to cut the suckers up by hand. I guess your pup is trying to let you know that he gets stir crazy in the house and looks forward to his walks so no slacking lady I'm glad to hear your lungs have cleared up. Might have just been some pollution in the air irritating things.

Mel - since you mentioned inflamation - check out the sugar in your diet. I have definitely noticed that when I have too much sugar, I start to get all achy. Notice other things too. I had heard sugar causes inflamation in the body and now I'm a believer.

Annie - the Michigan cherries must be awesome this year. My mom went on a bender and ate 5 pounds in a couple of days because she said they were just so darn good. I don't recommend doing that as she had some unpleasant effects but a handful won't hurt. Will have to pick some up this weekend.

Michelle - loved your analogy of being covered by the paper piles I can so relate! We are rounding the bend into my not favorite season of out of the blue choking coughing fits brought on by Mr and Mrs Sinus Monsters. Ugh, hate it. Always have a cough drop in my pocket and a water bottle nearby.

Ceejay - enjoy that long weekend! Does it start today?

So Shad - did you go places and see people yesterday?

Alrighty, on with the day. I have alot to do at work. Month end report time so I'd better get on my way. We're winding down to a long weekend (at least 3 days) on the American side here. Celebrate the laborers (us)

Yesterday started my first day of the four day week end. I had a phone call early that morning from he dentist office. They had a cancellation and wonder if I wanted it. I did take it. Now my teeth are clean. Yipee for no cavities.

The only productive thing I did yesterday was to go to the gym. 36 minutes of cardio and 20 minutes on the weight machines. I had rode the bike for 15 minutes before I left. My shoulders are a little sore but that's it. More today.

I had decided to wash a couple of loads of clothes last night. I was searching for the cell phone and remembered that it was in my pants pocket. It was in the washinig machine. UGH, am I getting old and forgetfu! I drowned the phone so it's off to the Verizon store today to get another phone. It's the only phone I have, by the way. I also need to pay rent today.

Mel
I did put the do not disturb sign on the door. I may leave it off tody just to tell the girls if they come down that my nerves are giving me problems and I need the peace and quiet.

Annie
I'm curious did the doctor's know what caused the acid in your mom's kidney's? I love cheeries and could eat the whole bag. I don't buy them very often because of that.

Happy
Lot's of things can cause imflammation in your body, most diffinately sugar.
Since I've put all my reports on the excel program I can finish them on the first day of the month. It makes it very easy to balance.

Shad
Congratulations on those pounds lost. I'm going to measure my waist line this morning and work from there. According to Dr Oz women should have 32 inch waist line.

Michelle,
You seem to know your limitations on the exercise front. I told myself yesterday that I would not over do it on the weight machines. I usually go gung ho, all or nothing kind of thing. It felt good to go back to the gym. My shoulders are a bit sore.

Laura
Don't you just love the way things mount up at work when you are on vacation. I've been telling myself do one thing at a time. I can't multi task as much as I used to.

Patty
Where are you?

Happy Thursday ladies!

I weighed myself this morning in advance of my official WW weigh in at lunch time. Based on this morning's weigh in on my scale, I'm kind of expecting to be the same weight or have gained a little. We'll see. I have only exercised once in the last week...and my body really needs me to move it in order to lose it. But I was so exhausted yesterday, I just needed to rest...so no gym or walking for me. But tonight, I've got an appointment with my coach/trainer...so I'll go to the gym for cardio, weights and to meet with him. I ordered a couple pairs of pants in Misses sizes...a 16 Misses and a 14 Misses. And even though now, I'm a 16 Womans I know that's not the same as a 16 Misses. They were on sale and I figure I'll get down there sooner or later - hopefully sooner! They haven't arrived yet, but I'll let you know the results.

I am way excited! In addition to having Labor Day Monday off, my company is closing down tomorrow afternoon, so we get an extra 1/2 day. AND my DH and I are taking Tuesday and Wednesday (my birthday) off, so we have a very nice LONG weekend!! We are going out of town to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (which is attached to Northern Wisconsin). We leave on Sunday morning and come home on Wednesday! We found a great place to stay that is okay with us bringing our doggies and it's very reasonably priced! I can't wait! Since we're going to a place that's even less populated than the country town we live in, I'm not sure what our eating out options will be. We do have a small frig, microwave and stove in the cabin. I'll make the best possible food choices, making sure to have lots of fruits and veggies for snacks, and drink LOTS of water. And I know we'll be getting A LOT of walking in and some "weight lifting" as we plan to do some serious rock collecting while we're up there. I'm sooo looking forward to this!!

Ceejay - You be careful not to overdo it. You don't need any more stress or anxiety attacks.

Mel - Thanks for posting the reminder about Perfectionism. My lungs are getting better. I keep having to clear my throat, but I'm coughing a lot less now. I didn't wake up coughing at all last night and I didn't even take my cough medicine! Hope you enjoyed your time with Jen. Good for you for having a "do nothing" day! I have friends who did the Zone diet back in the 90s and had success with it. As for the Flat Belly Diet, from what I understand, it's based on adding certain foods to your diet...some of which I like (like nuts and seeds) and some I don't, like olives...so I add what I can and leave out the rest. Not sure if it's helping or not...I'm a LONG way from a flat belly.

Shad - I can imagine the hearing aids would take a bit of getting used to. Good to hear that your DS2 has such a depth of knowledge, and that Miss Puss is still making her presence known. Too funny that Queensland gets the furs and boots out when it's under 20C (70). My favorite temps are in the 70s during the day and in the 50s or 60s at night. Just lovely.

Happy - I hope your dentist appt went well yesterday! I cracked up at your post about body parts whispering to us because they are too afraid of the boss! Tooo Funny!. My appetite increases as the days get cooler too. I can't do cherries...more than a dozen gives me unpleasant side effects.

Annie - I haven't had to use my heater yet on the way to work...but I have lots of body insulation. I have used my defogger already. Hope you had a great time with your son. I'm so happy that the docs gave your mom a script that will alleviate her pain and help her kidneys! That's wonderful news!!

Ceejay - Hope you are enjoying your long weekend. Congrats on your nephew and his gf expecting a baby! How exciting!! Congrats on the clean, cavity-free teeth! And on going to the gym!! Sounds like you had a great workout!! Too bad about the phone going through the washer! As for exercise, I do have a tendency to overdo. It takes my coach/trainer, PT person (when I was going) and everyone else to remind me to not go hog-wild, but to work up gradually.

Woohoo...just 11 more working hours 'till the weekend and my VACA!

Lotsa love and hugs,

Thursday...almost Friday...Yeah!!

Day 1 of our Halloween Challenge....you chose your goals, healthy eating plan, exercising plan and run with it. The goal is to get our bodies in better shape/form/health by Halloween. My starting weight is, OMGoodness, don't want to admit it, 159, my goal weight is 145. That is a total of 14 lbs I need to lose by Halloween. Sheesh. Check in for this challenge will be Thursdays...9/10 will be the first. May the force be with each of us along with positive thoughts and motivation. God can step in here too!!

Last night was so much fun. DS, DD & her BF, Tony, my bro and his wife, and a good friend of mine showed up at restaurant. We had many laughs and great conversation. DS was surprised that I had invited that many, he thought it was going to be me, him and sissy. He loved his western shirt and bolo tie. He wore them and his cowboy boots & hat. A real hick, however he is so loveable. Biased,,um,,no...hehe

Tonight DS and I are going to grill out for dinner. He wants steak, of course, I am not all that hyped on red meat but will suffer through it for him as he goes back home tomorrow. My house looks like Hurricane Jake went through. Shoes, socks, T-shirts, empty water bottles, spit bottles from chew...yuck, his room a disaster, I love it. Some serious cleaning to do once he leaves.

Chelle.....The smaller size pants are a wonderful incentive. You will get there in no time. You have a marvelous time off with DH. I am jealous. It sounds like a terrific time and the doggies get to go also. YEAH!!

Ceejay....Don't know why mom has too much acid in her system. If the docs told her, she doesn't remember why. She does have GOUT which is aggrevated by acidity in the sytem, so maybe that will feel better too. Congrats on no cavities. There is a little savings there.

Happy...too late on the cherry thing. I have been to the potty 4 times this morning. Had to do the b*tt squeeze/tiny steps to the bathroom for fear of sh*tting my pants on the way. LOL

MEL...Yes, dreams do come true! and prayers get answered. All those books you will be reading...your assignment will be complete book reports on all. Toot Toot!!

Laura...doggie walking is an excellent form of exercise. I had one doc tell me that walking is the ONLY exercise he recommends as most people will not keep up gyms etc for the rest of their lives and walking is a more reasonable thing to keep up for life. That was just his opinion.

Shad...hope you have a successful "annoying others" day. You are a hoot.

Well best get back at it. Had a fire drill this morning with boss. It is nice when she is out of the office, but all h*ll breaks loose when she comes back.

Much love and many hugs.

Just a super quick weigh in post for Day 1 of the Worldlies Halloween Challenge...My starting weight is 220 (which is down 0.4 from last week, not much of a loss, but I'll take it.

My goal is to get to between 206 and 210 by Halloween.

Annie - So glad you are enjoying your time with your DS, even if he has made your house look like hurricane wreckage.

Annie –Sorry the cherries didn't agree w/ your digestive system! DS's b-day celebration sounded fun. Enjoy your grilled red meat tonight.

I weighed in this morning and logged my weight. Same as in July, and my highest ever - 188. Groan. I so need this challenge! My goal will be to lose 8 pounds. My exercise goal will be to do formal exercise 3 times per week, plus dog walks, of course. I would love to get all my exercise through "functional activity" like dog walks, yard work, etc. but it doesn't happen for me. For eating goals: I will try for bringing all/any of my work snacks from home and no snacks purchased while at work or enroute to and from. I will shoot for bringing lunches from home at least 3 days a week. When I bring food from home, it's almost always healthier than what I would purchase on the fly. Other than that, just trying to eat smaller portions of everything.

Ceejay – congrats on no cavities! I'm sorry your cell phone drowned. Enjoy phone shopping. I'm not very good at multi-tasking either, but the nature of my work involves many projects going at the same time. And sometimes there's so much…when I feel overloaded, I just try to focus on what I know the boss is most concerned with – keep the boss happy, right?

Happy- I didn't know sugar caused inflammation. I could probably go down a size if I stop with all the sweets, lol.

Michelle – If I had 5.5 days off this weekend, I'd be excited too! I hope you have a wonderful trip.

Shad – Congrats on the loss, and good luck w/ going and annoying!

The boss is holed up in her office w/ the door closed this afternoon – she must be on a conf. call. She'll be working at home tomorrow, yessss! It just makes things so much quieter around here. Our office will close at 3 pm tomorrow, a couple hours early. Nothing planned tonight. The bf and I did some running around last night, so tonight would be a good night for the gym. Need to get back into the exercise groove.

CAN'T DO PERSONALS RIGHT NOW. JUST GOT DONE WITH THE FRIGGING PLUMBER. LORD GIVE ME A BREAK.
ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT I DID A MONTHS WORTH OF FOOD SHOPPING AT TRADER JOES. CAME HOME AND FOUND A MILLION NEEDY PEOPLE. THE AUDIT IS NOT GOING WELL AT ALL AND IT WILL CONTINUE TOMORROW AND INTO NEXT WEEK. IF WE DON'T PASS, IT'S A BIG PROBLEM. AND I MEAN BIG. NOT NICE TO SCREW AROUND WITH UNCLE SAM. ANYWAY.....JEN HAD TO ACTUALLY HELP OUT WITH SOME SENIORS. ALL HECK SEEMED TO BREAK OUT AT ONCE. ABOUT THE ONLY THING WE DIDN'T HAVE WAS A FIRE BUT I AM SURE SOMEONE WILL THINK OF THAT AND START ONE UP TONITE JEN AND I JUST FINISHED PUTTING SOME OF MY GROCERIES AWAY. ALL I COULD GET DONE WAS THE "COLD" STUFF WHEN I GOT HOME. I DID HAVE A CHAT WITH A POLITICIAN AROUND THE CORNER. IT'S JUST NICE TO KNOW YOUR LOVED AND TRUSTED....AND ONE FROM OUT OF TOWN HAD THE SAME SENTIMENTS. IN A COUNTY WHERE LOYALTY IS GOING TO ****-IN-A-HANDBASKET IT'S NICE TO GET RECOGNIZED FOR YOUR SUPPORT. OK ENOUGH BRAGGIN....I WILL COME BACK LATER AND READ WHILE I EAT. CAN'T PROMISE ANYTHING CAUSE MY EYES CAN BARELY MAKE OUT WHAT I AM TYPING!!!!!!!!
I NEED A SHOWER AND SOPME DINNER.

Crazy insane busy day today. I am hoping to get out of here when the office closes at noon...but I may end up working the whole day. Fires to put out and deadlines to meet. I'll try and post later.

Hugs,

chellie...i am having the same kind of day. all maint men are off and john just got sick with low blood sugar. now there is only me will try and be back later. last night i ate, talked to jen and fell asleep.
happy friday!!!!! yay for friday!!!