Hi everyone,

Shane, WTG on the new haircut and feeling better. I got my hair done on Monday and it made me feel better too.

goalsuccess, that Zumba sounds fun. I bet it's great exercise too.

Jessica, I'm not sure what a "spinning bike" is? I sure can relate with being up a couple lbs. and having not done anything wrong. Happened to me this week too. Now, I've started diuresing and the extra poundage is gone.

Megan, I may not bake the cake. DH is at work. Shane doesn't even eat cake. Me and the girls certainly don't need it. Both of the girls have gained weight since we joined the gym. I think they try to eat extra to make up for getting some exercise.

Allison, I think my headache was also a bug. It did feel better to just go ahead and do my exercise last night. Weird though, about midnight, I had an allergic reaction. It started with my hands itching and went to rash from head to toe. It did clear up with OTC benadryl. Thank goodness. I didn't eat anything different than usual except a slice of Sara Lee Delightful Whole Wheat Bread. (since I try to watch my carbs I don't usually eat bread).

I plan to get to the gym again tonite for my LBWO. It's so cold outside , it sure makes it hard to want to leave the house.

Lily, I meant the kind of stationary bike that they use for spinning classes (which is a group exercise class). It's a stationary bike which is designed to feel more like a real bike -- the pedals are connected to a fly wheel, and there is a little lever to change the resistance which feels like changing gears on your bike. The difference is that you can also go backwards and you can't go anywhere! Also the seat is more like a bike seat and it doesn't have the features of other stationary bikes (like heart rate monitors or clocks or distance measurements).

Actually what I like about it is that you don't have to do anything to turn it on! I can't even figure out how to turn on some of the bikes at my gym. I can hop on, pedal, press the "start" button, and nothing happens.

Jessica - I took a spinning classs at my gym to try it out (you can do one or two classes without changing your membership - costs more to take classes or use racquetball courts). It was definitely an aerobic workout! And my butt was sore. But then it's sore for the first couple of weeks I start riding my outdoor bike too. My gym also keeps a couple of the bikes out in the aerobics area since they aren't needed for their classes, yet anyway. It didn't bother my knees at all, but there is quite a bit of pressure on your wrists.

My new kitten is home and doing fine. I don't even think she realizes she had surgery! We're keeping her in the bathroom for now, but tonight we'll put the other cat downstairs, and let the kitten out to explore the kitchen and living room. The bedroom has too many places to hide - it'll wait til the two of them are more used to each other. I have an appt to take her to my own vet for a free "new animal" check up on Sat morning.

Had a doctor's visit myself this morning. Good news is that I was down 5# from when I was there 3 months ago. And my A1C numbers (3 mo av blood sugars) are down to a "high normal" level. She wants me to have a bone density test, which I've not done before. This getting old stuff involves a lot of tests.....

Lily - I had a good chuckle about you not knowing how to slow the elliptical down. Glad you figured it out. It's still my favorite cardio machine.

Oh, and here's a small marital victory. I've been giving my DH articles to read and talking to him about doing intervals or at least changing his exercise around (instead of just walking/running at a steady speed on the treadmill). He's now added jumping rope (my knees cringe, but whatever) and the elliptical and he goes over to the hospital (one of the few multi-story buildings around) and goes up and down the interior stairs at a good clip. He told me the other day that after doing this for a couple of weeks, he went back to the treadmill and was amazed how much he had improved.

Good afternoon! I just got back from my interview for the super-well-paying-management job. I think it went well, BUT I have some competition: a lady who has worked at Public Works for 8 years

I also got told from one of my web clients today that if I successfully help him sell a property (I'm advertising it online and using some SEO tactics to generate traffic), I will get a VERY large amount of money. I am going to work my butt off, because this offer is almost too good to be true. HOWEVER, it IS true and I have it in contract.

I am trying not to get too excited about any of this, because being optimistic has often lead me down the path of disappointment in the past. I just give my best and expect the worst, as I may have said before.

I just took pics of my haircut. I can also spike it if I want to; it's very versatile.

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Pat - WTG on the five pounds, the "high normal" A1C numbers, and getting your DH to read fitness articles!

Megan - "Now I know: If Shane is depressed, tell her to get a haircut. " - what happens when I have no more hair to cut?
I have odd weight loss-related dreams, too, though more than anything, I just dream of being fat again and wake up happy that the springs in my mattress are poking my bones and that my bones are poking me.

Jessica - I saw a movie about a pregnant girl the other day, too - a movie on Oxygen called Where the Heart Is. I also watch Lifetime movies quite frequently SO it is safe to say that I HAVE dreamt about pregnancy in the past

Shane, that haircut is absolutely gorgeous. I love it. Good luck with the interview!

LOVE the hair! Edgy but very flattering!

Totally cute haircut, Shane!!! I'm getting mine cut again Saturday and I'm stuck. Do I let it grow so I one day match the photo in my signature or do I go shorter? Currently my hair looks like this (only longer as it's been about 8 weeks since I had it cut): http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/enterta...4473040247.jpg

I'm torn. I really liked it longer, but I had visions of getting up in the morning, running a little water and/or gel through it and heading out for my run. The current cut MUST be housed in a hat for running! The longer one allowed me a short pony tail (it's long in front and short in back).

Ah, Allison, always the dilemma. Long hair = more versitility for styles; short hair = faster, easier, but needing - in my case at least - to be washed every day. I have very fine textured hair and it's not thick. I'm back to fairly short and for now I'm liking it.

Shane - your cut is very flattering! Good luck with the job.

Hey Shane! I usually just lurk here, but I wanted to complement you on your hair.

Mine's getting really, really long, but I don't want to cut it yet.

SHANE!....cool!

Nite,
That new 'do suits you, very edgey rockstar-esque, you own that hairdo chickster, now get that band together so you can get your jam on!

Shane, my son, showing off his muscles last night at the gym.



Lacy's new hairstyle.



Lacy and our kitty, Mr. Robo Kitty 3000.



Lacy wrestling with our dog, Lucy.

Click here to watch the video of my grandsons.

Shane, I like the new hair cut.
Lily! Wow, just wow. ~fans herself~

I'm LOVING all the compliments on my hair. I'm a Leo; I live for flattery and redlight, I feel special that you came out just to comment on my hair

And uh, yeah Lily, um, Shane sure does HOT from the back! Lacy is beautiful as well and I love her new hairdo - between the short hair, the deep gaze, and the pouty lips, she sort of reminds me of... well, me... in that picture also, very random, but my GF has some pajama pants that look exactly like the ones Lacy is wearing.

Allison - I really love that haircut you showed me in that pic. Seriously. I love it so much that i think i'm going to save it on my computer to get the next time I need one I personally am a fan of all the versatility short hair has to offer... and also, growing it out, as I am sure you know, is a process. I had short hair and then grew mine long and had to deal with over 6 months of yucky "in between" phases before it was pretty and long again. So if I were you, I'd keep it short unless you are prepared for those

Shane. love the do! That'll go so much better with the helmet.

Lily, your family is gorgeous! Looks like little Taylor could use a driving lesson, but you have to give him points for figuring out how to unload his little brother.

Anne