Hi everyone, another busy day at work. I feel like I'm drowning and a tidal wave is going to crash over me. Having that witch waste so much of our summer has made our lives difficult. But, at leat I'm at home now.

I feel about the same, but I've not taken any cough medicine for 2 days. I'm coughing a bit, but I don't want the goo to just sit there. So far the asthma is hanging in there.

I did an easier 1 mile walk this evening and still feel okay. I'm thinking tomorrow morning I'll do it again and again in the evening. Yesterday I swam 1/4 mile but not too fast. So maybe I won't lose everything I've worked for for the last 9 months.

Judy, I sympathize with your day. It's a diddo for me. Sounds like you had a fun Saturday. I'm watching your Redskin's play my son's Vikings. So far they're tied.

Carol, an exercise room would be great. I'd like to get my exercycle and Gazelle out of the living room. Actually I'd like to sell the Gazelle.

Nikki, good for you continuing the thinking thin. I hope it works.

Holly, welcome. Boredom eating is a big problem for me. It's going to be a constant fight for me the rest of my life. I personally find eating fun...

TTYL.
Marie

Marie I know how you mean with work it can take a turn for the worst at any pt. and time. Hopefully things will smooth out soon for you in that area of your life. Sorry your still feeling under the weather. My friend just called and she has a stomach bug sounds like what I had a month ago. Hopefully it stays away from me. You most likely aren't exercising as much with feeling sick but not taking in as many cals either. I think you will be fine don't jump back in too quickly keep your exercising limited cause yah don't want to slip backwards. You have done so well and will continue to do so as soon as your ready for it. The swim sounded good haven't been able to do that its colder here now. Not really swimming weather. I did exercise last night after work in the gardens digging up stuff and moving it. My daughter and grandson helped carry the weeds away and wheel barrow things around etc. It was manual labor and had to burn some cals. After dinner it was a bit dusk out I used my outside light as my guide for laying some black mulch. Heaven only knows what it looks like in the day light. At least I burned some cals up. Then had a 1/2 cup of natural vanilla ice cream. Thought I should beable to have a little treat. I love the little glass cups I have as they help with portions. Today I am packing up squash for lunch to steam at work and then a salad. Trying to stay within my calories and increase my level of exercise this week. Need to get serious here! Well take care everyone!

Marie how's your mom doing? Hope things are going better for you. I have been super busy at work to. Its amazing how much stuff needs to get done in one day. I am hoping to catch up on paperwork today.Yesterday I had a shower to go to. I did pretty good not really over doing it. I did have a little wheat bagel with light cream cheese later on. I thought buying the little wheat bagels with higher fiber was a good idea. And what a way to have them and still watch my calories. I think their only 120 cals. v.s. the big ones at 290. The grandson enjoyed them with me last night his were spread with peanut butter also not a bad idea. After my full day at the office, the shower, I stopped to pick a few apples at a local orchard. I was only there about 10 min. but got some fresh apples and plums. Then it was off to grocery shopping, home to do homework with the little guy. He was staying overnight as his mom was working and dad out of town. Thank goodness he is so easy to care for. The homework thing brought back many memories of my working in a school for years, and raising my kids. Wow everyone else must be busy too where are you all? Well take care and have a nice day.

Judy - It sounds like you've been very busy too - they say brain cells burn a lot of glucose, so at least you may be burning calories while brainstorming!

Welcome Holly! Hope to hear from you again soon.

Nikki - You have a good attitude about the scale - as in not taking it so seriously. I need to ease up on the weighing. I do it in the evening because I know it will be a bit lower by the morning and then I get mad when it's still higher than I expected. I've been practicing imagining my body being slimmer when I'm laying in bed before I go to sleep.

Marie - I hope you're feeling better and that your mom is doing better too. It's miserable when you feel low and can't do as much as you want or need to.

Carol - Good for you for not going overboard at the shower. I know how hard it is. I had a meeting with a potluck lunch yesterday and did fairly well (except for having a small piece of wonderful homemade cake). Meetings are always so stressful and this one went on for three hours. We got a lot done, but I was very tempted to eat a bunch of desserts afterwards.

I'm still recovering from having company. They only stayed for a few days but it seems to take me longer to get over changes in my schedule these days (too many late nights and eating out). I've had a sore throat off and on for a couple of weeks - seems like a cold coming. I also had cystitis the whole time our visitors were here so I was going to the bathroom every hour or so. I really wish I could get back my energy and start walking regularly again. I can't remember when I've slept more than six hours. Enough complaining! Sorry for the rant.

Hope you guys are all doing ok.

Penny take care we have had people with sore throats and a stomach bug at work. I have been keeping my distance trying to stay clear of it all. I had a bad stomach bug last month enough for me. My friend just had similar problems weird how it hangs on so long. I hope this winter people don't get sick so often. Maybe taking some extra vit.'s will help just a thought. Your doing well with trying so hard to be good. I know how hard it is. I did well for breakfast and lunch but dinner got into the bread a bit with my goulash. Today I will try to be better I am not counting cals just in my mind but on paper again. Trying to be better at what I eat. I did take clam chowder for lunch at 110 cals. then steamed some summer squash with spices and added it all together. It was a bit more filling and tasty. Kind of a weird combo but worked well. I made a little apple pie last night light on the sugar and only a top crust. Tasty with less cals no one else noticed. Well the hubbies garage is being started this week. I hired a contractor yesterday got sick of waiting for everyone else. The guy gave me a good rate and I couldn't turn it down. I will send my son in Hawaii a copy of the plans and figures etc. for his input. My brother whom lives locally will keep an eye on the project for me. So all in all this will be one load off my mind and the hubbies. We are doing a detacted now which has its benefits, taxes are cheaper and homeowners. Well have a great day I am taking a sick day on friday have to get my bloodwork done. So thought why not have a whole day! Lots of gardening left to do before fall is over. Take care! Marie I hope your feeling better and mom too!

Hi Carol and Penny, I'm doing a little better. I think if work wasn't so busy I'd get better quicker. I did start walking again. I tried easing into it. My mom is out of the hospital and in an extended care facility. I'll be calling her tonight.

Penny, you're dr. should have told you about an analgesic made specifically for bladder infections. I can't remember what it's called but it's OTC and most pharmacies have it. Makes life bearable.

Carol, good for you on the shower control. I swear it's hard to not overeat when in a social setting.

Well, I'm going to go home (I thought I'd write a quick note at work since home life is too hectic in the evenings with DH home).

TTYL.
Marie

Marie sounds like your trying your best to get back into the swing of things. I know you will because now you have the spirit of knowing you can lose and keep it off. Little set backs in our busy lifes are never easy. Glad to hear your mom is out of the hospital. Its so hard to have our parents sick. My mom goes for her eye surgery on the 25th. She had to stop driving a week or so ago then the cat passed away to top it all off. I tell yah its not easy for them either. I try to tell my friend to be patient with her mom. On sunday I think I am going to invite her for dinner. I have a nice turkey breast to roast. I am trying to eat healthy. A couple of lbs. jumped back on but I know that they are ready to come off. So with a good attitude and some healthy choices I hope to be back to my loss by next wk. I have a wedding on saturday so watching myself closely until then and adding in some exercise is the plan. The lbs. could of been related to pasta I had for two day. It was made healthy but still pasta is pasta and then of course some bread. But at least I know what I did wrong and that is a strength. Knowledge is a wonderful thing as long as I put it to work. So I will try my best. Its the weekend but no real plans so intakes shouldn't be so hard. I also might go dancing on saturday that will burn a few calories. My future son inlaw is playing out rock in roll.
Everyone else I hope your all doing well. Even though the site has had limited people checking in for me makes staying on track a bit easier.
I will try to ck in again on saturday.

Well, my cold is now in full force but I actually feel better than I did when it was coming on with the sore throat, etc.

I'm up a pound, but I'm not going to change my ticker because I think it's just bloat. I'm determined it will be off by next Friday.

Hope everyone is doing well - have a great weekend.

Hi Carol and Penny, I got DH off the computer for a minute so here I am. I didn't lose again. I looked at my database and I haven't lost for 2 weeks. I guess either I'm plateauing or it's the cold. I don't know which one. Either way I thought I'd have lost on today's weigh in but I didn't. Not too big of a deal.

My foot is sore so I didn't exercise. Probably not a bad idea since I don't feel good again. I also have a rash around my eyes and nose (I changed moisturizers - hypoallergenic my foot). I feel old today.

Penny, I hope you're doing better. If it's the same cold as mine, I can't tell you how long it will last. I'm up to 13 days. Carol, the turkey breast sounds great. I love turkey!!!

Well, they're clammering with dishes and mentioning dinner so I'll go. Talk to you later.
Marie

Marie - I really feel for you - 13 days!!! Maybe colds make us hang on to the weight - that's what I'm hoping anyway. I've been taking my 'cocktail' of one Airbourne package mixed with an Ener-C package and I think it's helping as my nose is drying up a bit. I also put some Zicam up my nose as it's supposed to make colds go away quicker. The weather turned really cold the last couple of days and I'm really craving carbs! My hibernation genes are kicking in again I think. I hope you'll be able to take it a bit easy on the weekend and build your strength up. Get well soon!

Penny, I hope you're right about the cold making the weight stick. I know how many calories I've eaten and I have exercised a bit (just not much) and the scale is stuck. Then, I have to face the fact I haven' had a plateau since I started in April. I guess it's my turn. I'm thinking of not weighing for two weeks so I just don't get obsessed. I haven't decided on that.

DH and I drove to Medford this morning and there was snow on the mountains. Brrrr. Basically I took it easy then slept for a couple hours this afternoon. I broke down and bought some echinecia (sp?) and golden seal. They've helped me in the past and I've been taking some Vit C for almost a week. I'm so tired of being sick that I'm just moody. I've thought of getting out my lightbox to see if that would help with the moodiness.

Okay, on the good side, last weekend I bought new dressier pant for work (all mine were falling off). I only bought two pair. DH and I bought 2 more today. I love buying a smaller size. I'm going to buy some yarn to make a couple sweaters too. It's sort of interesting, the more I lose (even with the plateau) the more I want to dress pretty. That in itself is a mood lifter. DH also got some tools for his garage this morning so that was cool.

My goal for the weekend - get the two free airline tickets out that I got on our last trip and try to get reservations for Miami in March. If I do that, then I'll consider the weekend successful. I think i put it off since I'm worried all the dates will be blacked out.

Well, that's it for now. No exercise today. My foot where the wart was froze off is a little better - I'm walking with only a small limp. I'm hoping to take the doggies around the block tomorrow morning. A two mile walk should be do-able. Talk to you all later.
Marie

Marie - I think you're doing great to be holding steady and not gaining while you've been sick. It's good that you're feeling well enough to go for a walk. You've inspired me to try the treadmill tomorrow. I'm sick & tired of being sick and tired too! I bet you enjoy wearing the smaller sizes now. I got a pleasant surprise this morning - it was so chilly and I was still feeling yucky so I reached for a sweater I hadn't worn since last winter. It was very loose! It looked so much nicer on me - I remember how it used to fit like a sausage skin! I got some nice compliments on how I look last week, so that's been keeping my spirits up a bit. It's nice you've got a trip to Miami to look forward to next March. That will be something to think about during those dreary winter days.

Hi Penny, I tried to get the Miami tickets and could only get one - since DH and I are going together that didn't work. Bummer. I'll probably just pay for tickets. Maybe we'll use the free tickets to go to Alaska next July.

I did go for a walk with my son and I made it tow mils. My foot hurt more than the cold. I feel a bit better today so I'm hoping the echineacea and golden seal is working.

Right now, my living room looks like a sportws bar. We have the Packers, Vikings and Nascar on. Yes, there are three TVs going at the same time. And here I am surfing and working (remote controling my work computer and running some utilities).

Well, I will chat tomorrow. I hope you feel better Penny (and me too...)
Marie

Marie - Glad to hear you're feeling a bit better. Sounds like you are really multi-tasking with all those sports on at once + working on the computer!

I'm feeling a lot better today too. I washed my hair and wore it down (haven't done that for a long time). I felt good about the way I looked and wore my favorite sweater that is really slimming. I even went clothes shopping at Burlington and found a nice top in size 14 that fits well. I think a few guys were giving me the eye today at Trader Joe's and that's always a bit of a boost for the old ego!

Well girls getting on wasn't easy to day what the heck? Anyways here I am determined to get on my site that has support. You two sure have had a run of the yukky cold sickness. Hope your both back feeling like yourselves soon. I was really busy this weekend. I did manage to go get 12 bags of mulch with my daughter and then lay about 6 of it down yesterday. I bought a couple of things for the year and am in the process of redoing my flower bed. Pulled out a bunch of stuff and just trying for an overall new look. My daughters bridal shower is in the spring at my house. The more I do now the less that will need to be done then. It was a beautiful day 80 and I loved it. I bought a cool little tree about 4 ft. tall it is a crooked tree. Kind of silly looking and will bring some fun to my yard. My favorite rose bush is at its tallest ever and towered over the grand girls. I took their picture near it yesterday. Had my mom over for dinner we had turkey. My eldest grandson stayed for dinner and said cool thanksgiving dinner. He sure did enjoy his meal and the comfort of having his great grandma over too. My dishwasher died after 10 years and lots of dishes. So I am on the prowl for a new one. Boy never is anything so easy. Just spent 75.00 on my yard before that happened yesterday. But I will save some cash for a new one. Exercise was digging and lifting mulch, spreading and replanting stuff oh and lifting my field rocks around to different spots. I wasn't the best with eating not totally bad but didn't count this weekend. I am back on track this a.m. and have a turkey sandwich for lunch, water and apple. Dinner maybe will be salmon, salad and a potatoe baked. I hope you two feel lots better today. I wish we were closer I would put some homemade chicken noodles soup on and invite yah over. They say it really works! Have a great day I am going to try to get rid of the two lbs. I put back on. Dang!!!!!!!!! We are expecting rain later on in the week so I will work in the gardens again tonight so exercise will be part of my day. Good for both of you feeling great about wearing smaller sized clothes I am there with you on that. I just put on a pr. of gray pants from last year and they fit nicely. Better than last yr. So we are making some progress girls. When you feel sick its hard to get back on board 100% but I am sure you will be back in the swing of things in no time. Strong willed girls like us don't stay down long and we have all come so far with new ways and routines their inbedded in us now routines!!!!!