It's a bright, sunny day here -- I'm in the Pacific Northwest down around Mt. Rainier -- and such a gift as we're normally heading into rainy season by now. Have to admit that even when it's rainy out here -- unless it's one of the Pineapple Expresses with the rain blowing sideways -- it's always gorgeous.

Really quiet on the board lately -- guess everyone is just busy.

Shan84 -- Going to Texas in February will be wonderful -- mild enough to be able to enjoy the days but not hot yet. Planning for your BF's birthday sounds like fun. I love to plan birthday events for my loved one and friends. Have a great time.

Fi -- Don't know if you have an exercise ball around, but the trainer at my gym showed me wall squats which are much kinder on the knees. There are illustrations online (of course!). Glad you've finally been able to find an antibiotic that will cure the cats -- it's been a long haul for you. I'll miss your postings, but what a wonderful time of year to be at the farm -- enjoy!

Terra -- Good luck with the 2 miles -- hope that the new shoes and the foot problems are a thing of the past.

I've got to get cleaned up to go out to lunch with a friend. We're going to a Thai restaurant and I'll choose carefully. She needs to stop at a grocery which is fine as I can pick up the last few things I need for having the grands here this weekend. I've been off plan for a couple of days -- need to get my mind back in it. At some point, I really do have to get the yard work done.......talk about procrastinating on something! Have a great day.

Forgot to post yesterday...Guess I was so tired from working out then having to come home and spend time to cook dinner too since DH isn't feeling well..But I'm here today!!!

Donna Glad your DH has found a job and one that he likes!! That's awesome news!! I would figure out a way to repay the neighbor for taking your son to school even if it isn't monetary if he won't accept it.

Dean Almond Vanilla Praline sounds amazing!!! Drooling over here right now

Betsy Glad BIL has been cleared and you can start focusing on some much needed TLC for yourself...You've done so much for others this year (I'm sure you do it all the time too) but you need to stop and focus on yourself too...It's really easy to neglect ourselves, just don't forget you need some self love too <3 Hope you enjoyed your lunch with you friend today

Fi I'm sorry the kitties are stick sick but hopefully the new medicine works for them. I'm starting to get a little stiff in my left knee so I'm having to pay close attention to certain moves while exercising so I don't hurt myself...Also, HIGH FIVE on the 0/0/0!!!!! That is wonderful to hear! I hope you get to enjoy your time at the farm too, it sounds like it would be pretty amazing to be up there this time of year

Shan That's pretty cool that all of China gets a whole week off from work....And even better to hear you get a month off in February...I'd die if I was ever able to take a whole month off from work...My cousin lives in Dallas with her DH and she loves it there...Maybe for the BF's birthday you could do some sort of neat fruit arrangement and cut it out in flowers and stuff like that, kind of like your own homemade edible arrangement or something since it'll be healthy and it won't be cake. Also, I know this sounds stupid, but the way I stay motivated to work out (currently pushing 5 days a week) I get inside my own head and basically talk to myself like a drill sergeant would lol...I basically make myself feel bad if I don't work out on a scheduled day. The only time I don't work out on a scheduled day is if I promise myself to make it up on one of my off days..For instance I didn't work out on Monday, but today is usually my rest day for mid week but I worked out today instead. I don't know if I explained that well but for me at some point I was like, do you want to eat right and never exercise and not see the results you know you want? And of course my answer was no so I do whatever it takes to push myself to work out...If I don't feel inspired I come here, or go on instagram or pinterest for inspiration to push forward...Hope this helps some

Ubee Thanks for checking in with us....I've been thinking a lot of you lately and hope that you are well...You know I'll always be here when you're ready to start posting more regularly again....Just don't forget about us ok?? I'm still really worried about Larry since it's been forever since he posted and one of the last times he posted he wasn't doing so well

Well yesterday I broke my water drinking record...I almost drank 2 gallons of water!! Holy crap is that not a lot of water!?!?! I don't know what came over me but I just kept downing the water yesterday...I've still managed to drink 96 oz so far today so not quite a gallon, but I'm going to try and get the remaining ounces in to at least make my gallon...I'm gonna flush this fat outta me!!!

Work today was ok, I was able to get caught up on a lot and tomorrow is FRIDAY!!!!! I actually was wanting to go out to see this band that my friends play in, but duty calls and I gotta be up really early on Saturday for this wedding and I have to be on my A game since I'll be making a nice shiny penny for this....DH has a show tonight so he's resting up while I was working out...Oh by the way...I wanted to share with you guys just how much I sweat when I do HIIT at home...Check this out! That was me today when I finished my work out....Now I'm starving so I'm going to have left over spaghetti squash and meat sauce...It didn't turn out as good this time...I don't know if the spaghetti squash is almost out of season or not but it wasn't as sweet and tasted kind of watery...and for some reason the tins of tomatoes I used made the sauce taste a little metally which I've used this brand before so I guess I'm going to have to switch brands.

Anyway, I hope I didn't forget anyone but hope you all had a great day!! I shall see you soon!

Good afternoon all my lovely chicken pals...How is everybody?
Sam...I hate to be the voice of negativity but isn't it possible to drink TOO much water?
Fi: It is so great to read 0;0;0 on all your posts!
Shan: Thank you so much for all your advice....I have had a good think about it and have come up with several solutions! Of more in a minute!
Betsy: Thanks also for your wise words! I can always rely on you!
Deano: I haven't had coffee for days and BOY am I craving!

So here we are. We haven't heard if hubby has the job formally but it is looking good and I have been doing some planning!
I have offered to baby sit for the very kind chap and his lovely wife. Their 3 girls are so sweet and lovely and it would be fun. I have also offered to dog-sit and chicken sit if they want to go away!
They may never take me up on the offer but at least the offer is there.
I have worked out bus times so I can get to Welsh class and Mum's and Toddlers where I help out and it also means I will be taking Sam to school a couple of days a week. I can hang out at the library or my favourite coffee shop for an hour or two waiting for school to finish...I only ever drink coffee and can avoid cakes etc no problem so it's not a danger zone! I could study then too!
Shan I loved your idea of a separate cupboard for me. My hubby has a dreadful sweet tooth and I have persuaded him to keep his treats in the car when he is working so I can avoid them! Although frankly I can turn anything into anaughty snack except perhaps dog food!
I will dedicate a day to grooming my dogs, one to the chickens and pigeons (ie cleaning etc) and one to the house!
The best decision is that I will get up when hubby does at 4am and work out on the Wii and my mini trampoline as I am wide awake at that time! I know it sounds bonkers but that means I will be tired when he is at night and we can go to bed together.
I am really excited....although trying to be a bit calm until we get confirmation of the job!.

I guess it is a British thing but I love hearing about the weather where you are.....we have had thunder storms and rain lately...quite spectacular but the puppy was scared!
Bye for now! Have a great day.

Betsy ~ Thanks for wishing my luck on my 2 miles, I hope my new shoes and foot pain becomes a thing of the past too.

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I woke up at 6:00 a.m., My alarm clock was set for 7 am so I wasnt planning on waking up then but when I woke up at 6 am my back was hurting so I went ahead and got up. I'm currently eating breakfast, Clyde has already been outside this morning, I still need to give him some fresh food, He already has fresh water. This afternoon Scott and I are going to my school for movie day so that should be fun but before noon I plan to clean the bathroom, I cleaned my room last night though. I also gave Clyde a bath yesterday as well and I went on my walk outside around 2:30 pm since it was nice and cool outside at that time. I'm gonna go on my morning walk this morning also and then I'll do my 2 miles tonight and then I'll do it all over again tomorrow. I hope everyone has an wonderful day. Take Care Everybody

Good morning everyone. It's an absolutely gorgeous day here with Mt. Rainier sitting on the horizon in all her glory. Donna, I love to hear the weather reports, too -- helps me connect with what's going on for everyone.

Terra -- Sounds like you did a lot of cleaning yesterday of both animate and inanimate objects. Hope you enjoy going to the movies - sounds like fun.

Donna -- Wow! You got a plan in place for transportation lickety split. I think the offers you've made for your neighbor are great and I'm sure he appreciates them. Your posts have been so motivating lately -- seems like you're on a roll in so many ways. So happy for you.

Sam -- I feel like Donna in that I may be raining on your parade, but 2 gallons of water in one day sounds high. Would you please check and see if you can drink too much water? Obviously, a whole lot depends on how much you're losing and you definitely get the sweat going with your workouts! As always, you sound busy but on target. I love the drill sargeant talks. I think I mentioned before that I've gotten to the point where I ask myself if I want something badly enough to have it kill me. Obviously, one cookie isn't going to do it, but then when have I ever stopped at one cookie. Hey, whatever works for us is what we need to be doing. And you definitely have found a routine that works for you.

Hope that Ubee, Jane, Dean, Sugar, Larry, Laura, SilentArctic, MissBB, and I apologize for forgetting anyone are all doing well. Miss you.

I just made out my eating plan for today which is important because I'm going up to pick up the grands this afternoon for the weekend. Their parents' anniversary is this weekend, and I always try to keep the boys around their anniversary so they can go out and have one evening to themselves. They appreciate it, and I love having the boys here. We're camping out in the RV but just camping in the driveway since it's supposed to be raining.......we may run down the road to a campground if it doesn't rain. They LOVE sleeping in the RV and I love building memories for them. Off to the gym, then the grocery store for the 3 things I forgot to buy yesterday, and then pick up the boys. Hope everyone has a great day and weekend. I'll catch you all on Monday.

Betsy ~ Yeah LOL - About the cleaning yesterday, I'm gonna do some more cleaning in the bathroom today, I didnt get everything done that I wanted to do in there yesterday.

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I woke up around 4 am this morning, Its 5:00 am right now, I'm currently eating breakfast, I already let Clyde outside and brought him back in, He is now sleeping in his spot on the couch and I gave him fresh food and he already has fresh water. My plans for today are to do some more cleaning in the bathroom and do the dishes sometime today and of course I'm gonna go on my morning walk and do my 2 miles this evening and those are my only plans for today.

Hi everybody,
Well we still have yet to confirm my husband's job...the waiting is torture!
I finally went to church today after quite a long absence and really enjoyed it. I sometimes avoid going because I just can't face talking to people but felt able to go today.
My poor little boy was really unwell last night.....high temperature, really bad headache, light phobia and a stiff neck. Well as you may imagine I feared the worst (he is hardly ever ill!) but with paracetamol and a cwtch ( a lovely Welsh word for a cuddle.....it rhymes with butch!)he improved a bit.
He is lying on the couch....very wan and pale but surviving!
Betsy...I loved the way that you make memories for your grands. Children value Grandparents for that so much. My Nan used to look after me in the Summer holidays and I nothing but lovely memories of that time.
Sam: Wow you are motivated with your exercise! I hope that my early morning exercise will begin to float my exercise boat....as it were! Mixed metaphor...sorry!
Fi: How are your kitties? One of my dogs had had a cough lately....it wasn't the dreaded kennel cough as it has improved but there is a lot of it around at the moment.
Shan: How are things in your part of the world...has it cooled down yet? Are you living there permanently?

Well, I am hoping to get on plan diet wise this week as I have had real trouble focusing on it........and exercise! Right.....down to it!!
Have a great week....and Ubee?????? Thinking of you my lovely.
Donna

I've been having a good weekend, continuing, with just one dip into -1, having 0/0/0 days. I've been running errands related to our trip to Pennsylvania—such as picking up my Kasimir Malevich print from the framer's, where I had it foam-mounted, and buying a big wooden easel to use for the large collage backgrounds I intend to create in my new auxiliary studio at the farm.

Friday night my 14-yr-old great-niece Grace, who's a freshman in high school, came over. It was the first time in some weeks, because we had to wait until the kittens were officially clear of the ringworm fungus, and until we had vacuumed and mopped the house very thoroughly to get rid of any remaining cat hairs that might have fungus spores. I picked up Grace around 3:30 PM from school, and she stayed until late, about 10:30 to 11. Grace was eager to spend time petting and playing with the kittens, since she wants to be a vet when she grows up, and she only has a dog in her house. So we devoted a few hours to kitten time, but Grace also sat at the table in my collage studio and did some of her math and Latin homework. After that, she helped me out for a couple of hours with sorting my clippings into their appropriate boxes, which range from categories like "animals" and "text" to colors like "black/grey" and "orange." Friday will be her regular night for coming over once a week. But we will have to miss two weeks while Bob & I are at the farm, so her next Friday won't be until the 31st, Hallowe'en night. If her parents give the OK for her coming to my place on Hallowe'en, we have some special plans for that holiday (my favorite). =grin=

Today Bob needs to take care of some financial stuff (bills and deferred tax forms), and I'll be busy packing up my art supplies for the farm (including paint!) and other stuff I'll need for the trip. If all goes well, we should pack our old Toyota Land Cruiser on Monday—we need its ample space for my supplies, such as a mat and a chair I purchased for my studio—and then head for the farm, the kittens traveling in their snug little crate.

I'm still doing my Qigong exercises multiple times a day, plus my nightly leg lifts, which are especially important now for helping with my mildly injured knees. My eating is OK, but somewhat off plan, but starting today, or Monday at the latest, I plan to go fully back on my low-carb weight-loss diet, and stay on plan while we're up at the farm.

As I mentioned before, I'll be off the Net starting tomorrow until the 26th. I hope all of y'all are doing well: I'll get back to doing personals after we get back from the farm. Take care! =smile=

mountain walker- Things are good here. Just took a dip in temperature this weekend. We went from 30C to 18C today. Sweater weather has arrived. Won't be long til we are at 0C...not looking forward to that. I wouldn't say I'm here permanently. I have taught internationally for the past 6-7 years, so I "live" wherever the job contract takes me. So far that has been South Korea and now here in China.

Hope everyone has a good end to their weekend. Last night the BF and I went for a 75 minute walk around the lake. He didn't want me going alone because of the last "episode" a few weeks ago. He's so good to me. Anyways, walk went great and felt great after. Had a nice chicken sandwich for dinner last night and some chill time together. Now its Monday morning and I find myself back at work again after only having Sunday off. It's going to be a long week. On the plus side though, BF will come home Tuesday and Wednesday night this week because of his work the following days and on Wednesday night I have a VIP ticket to see Mariah Carey in concert here in Chongqing. I'm just hoping she sounds better than the videos I saw of her two weeks ago in Japan. Have a great Sunday/Monday all!

Good Morning.
Well I have decided that while I may not be in the weight loss mood I miss my friends here so much that it may start getting me back in the mood. Make sense?
shan that was very sweet of your BF to go along on your walk. Enjoy your concert.
Terra how is your foot? I like how you can turn housework into a party.
Fi glad to see those 0-0-0 days. I bet you and Grace missed each other and had some catching up to do. Is she enjoying her ipad? Have a peaceful time at the farm.
Donna Happy belated birthday! I hope your son is better soon. How are the sheep on the mountain?
Betsy I sure hope you went to the campground. I read a while back that you took good care of Bill and he is back home. Good job now lets get focusing on you.
Sam I hope you get back here soon. I could really use some of your get it done attitude.
Dean when I am done here it is coffee time. What flavor today and how was your weekend.
Hi to everyone else!
I really want to thank everyone for their support while I was going into weird land. I do feel guilty for not being here to support you. I think you are all so awesome and I am so thankful to have you in my life.
As is expected my weight has gone up and now is the time to push it back down. Going to try a simple menu and hopefully it will not encourage overeating.
Have a peaceful day.

Ubee ~ Its so nice to see you posting, We've missed reading your posts. My foot is doing okay, I walked twice outside yesterday without my foot hurting so I dont quite understand how it hurts some days and it is okay other days, It doesnt make much sense to me.

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I didnt wake up until 6 am this morning, Its 8:00 a.m. now. I dont know if I'll get my outside walks in cause it is currently raining Oh well. I'm not sure what we will do after my mom gets off work today cause we cleaned the house yesterday and we arent going to Walmart until tomorrow so we'll probably just watch t.v until its time for dinner and then we'll wash our own dishes from dinner cause its FFS night and then we'll watch some more t.v until its time to go to bed. We're going to Walmart at 6 a.m. tomorrow morning cause Orkin is coming between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. tomorrow morning and then at 2 pm tomorrow we will go to dinner, We're gonna go to Fire House Subs. Mom and I havent ever ate there but my brother has so he wants us to try it. Anyway I'll also have a meeting to go too Wed. and I have cooking class and peer support on Thursday and I have an appointment on Fri. so I'm gonna be pretty busy this week but thats okay. Next Monday is my 30th birthday...I STILL cant believe I'm gonna be 30. Well anyway I'll quit rambling now. Take care everyone.

Good morning all. It was great to sign on this morning and find so many had posted. I do miss you all when we get caught up in our lives.

Terra -- Sounds like a busy week for you. Glad you were able to take your walks yesterday without your foot hurting.

Ubee -- I'm just sorry we weren't able to find each other while you were in weird land because there are days where I feel like it's where I live. Glad you're back with us. In spite of my ups and downs and basic lack of significant progress over the last year, I agree that posting here and catching up with my friends is probably what keeps me at least trying to make this happen. I can't imagine why I'm surprised that it might take us more than 10 minutes to break lifelong eating habits. I figure I'll lose more in the winter......the body has to burn more calories to stay warm, doesn't it?

Shan84 -- Sounds like a good idea to walk with you BF regardless of where you're living. Hope the concert is a good one and that you have a good week. It is definitely hard to only get one day off. Do you -- or anyone else -- find that staying on plan is harder to do when you're really busy? Of course, it could be that I just use it as an excuse to go off plan. See former note about breaking lifelong habits.

Fi -- So glad that your visits with Grace have resumed as I know that you both enjoy them. The trip to the farm sounds heavenly, but then a trip to the grocery store sounds heavenly right now.....enjoy!

Donna -- Hope your little boy is feeling a lot better by now and that you've gotten the news on your husband's job. Hopefully the grands will grow up to have as many wonderful memories as you and I do. Good luck with finding your dieting mojo -- it will come.

I'm off to the gym and then home to condition a new cast iron skillet. Hopefully I'll get in some yard work this afternoon as this is the last clear day we'll be having for awhile. I need to start gathering things for my trip to the beach -- haven't done it yet, Ubee, but I'm going next week -- and the yard needs LOTS of attention.

On the diet front, I seem to have finally gotten back into the mindset I need to start losing. Changed my weight on my profile and signature this morning for the first time in two months. The only thing I can chalk it up to is that my knees and hips were hurting so badly that I realized that how much better I felt before I had regained the 30 pounds. Imagine what I could feel like when I get down to goal! The doctor has suggested I at least look at joint replacement surgery, and it may come to that. But I feel that I need to see if significant weight loss will help. Onward. We will beat back these food demons!

On that odder than normal note from weird land, hope everyone has a great day!

<3 sorry guys alive just keep forgetting to check in. Life is well stressful on a constant basis at the moment and sorry Betsy and ubee no secret partying going on here.

Ubeeeeeee! How lovely to see a post! The sheep are great....they have been joined by a herd of very inquisitive cows much to the discombobulation of the dogs! My boy is on the mend but goodness he has been rough....he isn't used to being ill so doesn't handle it all that well....he was scared to go to sleep in case he was sick in his sleep!
Betsy.....I am so sorry your joints are so painful. When a lost a lot of weight a couple of years ago my knees were still incredibly stiff and sore especially if I stood still....walking was easier. The surgeons over here wouldn't look at my very arthritic left knee until I lose 5 stone or more so you become stuck in a bit of a catch 22....can't exercise as you want due to joint pain.......put weight on.....can't exercise...etc!
Terra.....good luck keeping up with your exercise...you are my inspiration!
Fiona....your niece sounds lovely! Aunties are the best. Until the last few years I had a wonderful relationship with my aunty; better than with my mum!
Sam...how was your weekend?

Well I am still searching for my mojo but I am sure it's nearby! We are still waiting for job news! I am somebody that needs a fairly set routine to be able to get on top of exercise etc so it will be such a relief when we know either way!
We are off to Bristol to see my daughter today....hooray! I miss her but Sam misses her more. We decided that although he was too weak and wobbly to go to school, he could come in the car to see her as he is missing her so much...they are really close despite the age difference!
I am going to work with my Therapist on Thursday about where my attitudes towards food came from...I shall keep you posted!
Have a lovely day my chicken friends,
Donna