Good Morning Chicks! My cold is slowly but sure getting better as we all knew it would. I'm still pretty tired all the time.

No exercise yesterday but I did eat Core with a couple of WPA'S. I'll be exercising tomorrow.

Today is Jim's first follow up appointment with the Specialist for his tongue. I'm REALLY hoping that all is well. He seems to feel good, so I'm hopeful that all is properly on the mend. His appointment is at 10:30 today so I don't have much time this morning to get everything done.

I actually have a pedicure today at 3:00 and I'm excited about that. It's at a new place which is close to my house. I'm hoping that I like it but actually I hate trying new places.

United 93 was every bit as emotional and sad as you could imagine. I think it was VERY realistically portrayed and extremely well done. I can not imagine how they did all those camera angles. I actually felt as if I was on the plane (which was quite upsetting). I don't usually see these types of movies. Jim really wanted to see it and it was given 4 stars. September 11th was one of the hardest days of my life. I was working in downtown Chicago and was Director of my office with no other managerial officials in charge above me locally.

We had a TV in the office and one of my teleworking employees called me shortly after the first plane hit to tell me to turn on the TV. Needless to say, we saw the second plane hit live, as did millions of people. When the 3rd plane hit the pentagon, I closed the office and sent everyone home, including myself. Jim was home with our dog because the dog had a surgical follow up appointment. I was stuck in downtown Chicago with no car and had to rely on public transportation to get home. We couldn't get on any public transportation. It was chaos and it was nearly impossible to get a cell to make a call. I never saw so many people on the streets at one time. I guess that's why the City always calls for orderly shut downs so that we all don't end up on the street at once. My GF finally reached her husband and he drove downtown and picked us up from his body shop. In the meantime, we started walking out of the loop on foot to try to get away from the big buildings, just in case. It was one of the scariest days.

The movie points out how disorganized the country was and how little communication there was between the airlines, ATC, and the government. I just pray that this has all been remedied!

Jim also wants to see Da Vinci Code which doesn't open until the 19th. I'm sure we'll go that day. Neither of us read the book so we don't know alot about it.

Ok, I'm off to read posts!

Frouf, I'm glad little DS is feeling better. There is nothing worse than having one's brain hurt! I remember those days of being stuck in meetings. At the end, I started getting very selfish. I was tired of getting bad bladder infections. So I'd drink my water and get up whenever I needed a break and excuse myself. I'd usually find out that everyone else needed the break too! Big congratulations on your walk. I'm VERY VERY proud of you. If we just keep at this, we will be successful. Great job on the tee for DS. Ok....Angels and Demons.....Is Da Vinci code a scary movie? I can't see devil and demon stuff!

Kath, I hope you find the iron for Kate and Happy Birthday to her. You girls with the curls always wanting to take them out and me with the poker straight hair always wishing I had some. I hope she starts to like her job better soon. There is almost nothing worse. Tell Judd that I don't know about life changing but it does remind one that life is pretty darned short and unpredictable. We should be enjoying life and not sweating the small stuff. You ankle situation just sounds horrible. I'm praying that the therapy starts to work soon. I'm guessing it will take a while and that's why you do it for a couple of weeks at home first. Judd's birthday is the same day as my best GF (the one who's not feeling so good right now). I love all these May babies!

Sandra, I hope your foot is better this morning. We are all quite the crew, aren't we? I am SO tickled for you that you got into your smaller jeans. You must be VERY happy about that. I have a variety of sizes in my closet too. This time, I'm getting rid of the bigger ones as I grow out of them. I don't want to give myself a chance to go back up.

Nikki, I'm glad your DS is better. I can't take the Z pack either. I don't get the rash but I get other very "extreme" side effects. Your heels sound like spurs to me. I have them in both feet too. I just bought a new pair of New Balance walkers with $25 insoles and so far they are helping. I also try not to walk barefooted because that hurts them. I think if you start wearing shoes with good support and cushion it will help. Good luck at the Dr. I'm not getting surgery for as long as possible since I hear that they can come back.

Melissa, congratulations on getting your paper done and getting an A all while moving. You are one impressive Chickie! You and Aaron should celebrate with something special. Just how "EXPOSED" have you and Aaron been! Just kidding! I hated living without blinds. It's unsettling. It's always the first thing I do. Actually, here, people usually leave the window coverings. I saved the recipe site but haven't had time to look at it yet. I'm SO excited to look at some new recipes.

Speaking of recipes, WW has a new cookbook out for $14. I was mad yesterday because it is wrapped in cellophane so I couldn't look to see if there were Core recipes. I didn't buy it. I don't think you could even look to see the names of the recipes. Harumpf!

Your Harumpfs always make me smile!
I was just posting on the menu thread that I feel like I'm starting core all over again. It's been so long since I did it right that it's like I've forgotten all of my favorite recipes/menus. I've got to get back on track!

I had to call the office to tell a co-worker something and my boss asked if I was coming in today. I don't think she remembered that I have the day off.

Hey you all, look at the shirt I bought for my mom for mother's day. You know she's a horse person. Now I'm just hoping it gets here in time!!


OK the pup is whining to go out. Be back in a few...

Good morning! I'm up early because I didn't sleep ... you're going to LOVE this one!

I had watched a movie that ended around midnight, then watched a few little shows and so by about 1:00 I was tired. Judd was already asleep so I turned off the TV but couldn't sleep. I laid there for what seemed like HOURS and just about the time I fell asleep, all heck broke loose! It was like an episode of "When Animals Attack" !!! Judd was on his knees in the middle of the bed swatting at me, Zuki was tangled up in the whole mess, and all I knew is that I was getting assaulted! Talk about a rude awakening! He actually smacked me in the face and I started crying. By then he was awake and of course was apologizing a thousand times over and over. Then he went back to sleep and I laid there for another few hours with my heart still pounding! What a night! Oh, and the problem? There were bears in the bed that were about to get me. This morning I told him we were going to find some professional help for this little problem. He was still apologizing while walking out the door.

I hope Jim's appointment goes well today. It sounds like he's recovering nicely though, and so will have a few good weeks until starting in on the shoulder. And I'm glad your cold is improving but wish you could catch up on your rest. I know how miserable it is to be tired (boy, do I ever!).

Enjoy the pedicure -- I can't go for a while because nobody's going to be able to touch my foot except for me. I did my toes the other day though; I can do a better French on them that my pedicurist can so it doesn't bother me to do my own. Fingers are another issue, however, but I'm keeping them short and plain these days due to (1) not working and (2) it being dig-in-the-dirt season. I can't wait until my hair appointment on Friday though. I need to be cute and I need it PDQ.

I have a grocery list a mile long so while I'm up, I might as well go. I was stuck for what to have for lunch until I saw your baked potato, which sounded good, so that's what I'm doing. We're out of milk though so if I don't hurry up and go get some, my whole schedule will be thrown off and I'll be eating dinner at midnight! I'm making that soup so I can have it for dinner all week since it'll just be me, Erin and Shaun eating. If they get sick of it, they can eat a sandwich.

Oh what a cute shirt! I didn't know Sandra was your mom!

Happy day off!

I know Sandra will want it!

Kathy, what soup are you making? I'll have to go look at your menu again. I'm going to try to get myself a menu together and go to the store today. I have plenty of food but not enough things that go together. And what a terrible night you had!! Judd must be embarrassed when he does that. Especially hitting you in the face! He's not doing a good job of protecting you from those bears.

Off to work on some menus....suggestions gladly accepted.

I want this one:

Melissa, it's that soup that I think you've made before -- if I'm remembering correctly. I saw some cooked chicken in the freezer but think I'll just get a rotisserie chicken and tear it up. If I'm feeling spunky at the time, I might even make some polenta cakes to go with it. However, if I don't get myself up out of this bed and get to the store, none of it will matter anyway because I don't have any of the other ingredients!

SO cute! Where are you finding those?

It is the "Life is Good" brand.
http://www.lifeisgood.com/index.asp
or
http://www.jakeslakeplace.com/index.htm
Although you can find them cheaper elsewhere. They have really cute stuff!
They had a golfer t-shirt and I thought of Judd.

Those t-shirts are so cute! I know dh would love the 'band' one - and if we add a bow and arrow to any of those I know Sandra would get a bunch! ha ha ha

Kathy - I agree that Judd needs to do something about his night flailings - and you don't want to be attacked at night - bears or not! My dh used to fling open the blanket when I got up at night to go to the washroom - then once settled he would fling it back over me - except for that one time when he misjudged and whacked me in the face - not good! I know take care of my own blanketing - thank you very much!

Please don't overdo it going out for the groceries and make sure to rest later on when you can!

Vickie - hope dr appt goes well and Jim is healing nicely. I know that movie would have been very upsetting for most people but the reviews are very good! Have fun at your pedicure - I too would be a bit anxious if it's a new place!...and definitely make the ww people open a book for display purposes - how are you supposed to know if you like it when you can't see the recipes inside??? I add my harumph!

Melissa - welcome back to core - I bet you need a lot of groceries for your new place?

Went to bed too late - dh yapping too much - seems he demoed his jazz drumming skills to his congo drum pals and they were suitably impressed and asked him to play with them this FRIDAY at some big event with their jazz band! (They are supposed to rehearse tomorrow night). Dh is of course flattered but nervous about playing for a big crowd with only 1 practice run? Will see what happens (best news for me is I think he might actually get paid - maybe like $100 or so? - not bad!).

So had mega trouble getting up this morning and was lying there dreaming up excuses of why I could not come in to work this morning - ha ha ha. I obviously made it tho I am struggling. Tomorrow and half day thursday I am on a course so need to get things settled here - holding a small team meeting this pm to relay info and advise of my pending absence (so they can all run amuck while I'm away - but only downstairs so I will be checking in on them!).

Also brought my runners to work so will try and go out for another walk today as the sun is shining and it's lovely outside!

More coffee!

Home from groceries. Ugh, what a pain! I also went to Home Depot to get a flat of flowers and some potting soil; need to replant the big planters on back patio. I told Judd I was buying a new bench for the back while he was gone and he said no, wait for him. Apparently he wants to pick it out. Okay, whatever. We have an octagon shape on part of it and the bench will go on the slanted section with the two big planters at each end. I also took a pair of denim capris to the alteration shop because last year when I bought them, I had worn them exactly ONE time and next time I put them on and was pulling them up by the waistband, it came apart! I pinned it and limped thru the season, actually not wearing them all that much because they were a bit snug. This year though they are a perfect fit. I looked at the size and they are a 7/8. Well, yahooty! Now I can lose the safety pins and get some real stitching. I could do it myself but would rather pay someone to do a good professional job so it'll match the Lee stitching.

Now I'm home, worn out, but feel good that things got done. I have my potato in the oven and everything is out to make the soup later on. It's going to be in mid-90s with high humidity today, so I'm not inclined to go outside this afternoon and plant those flowers. Maybe I'll do it tomorrow, because from what I read, it will only be a high of mid-80s so that's much better. The heat plus humidity just saps all of my energy, which is not much to begin with!

Frouf, that's great news about DH doing a paying gig this weekend. I'm sure he'll do fine, otherwise the band wouldn't have made the offer. Will you go listen?

Hi, back from the podiatrist, he says my heel pain is caused by me having very high arches in my feet and due to my weight my arches are starting to fall a bit so the ligamints are being pulled. He gave me a script to get arches made that he says my insurance won't cover which will cost me $400-$500 dollars!! I think I will really work on losing the weight first, he said that would also help. I will now go clean my house, since I didn't do it this morning and it is driving me nuts( I am a neat freak kinda hard with 2 small kids but I try.
Will be back with a cup of coffee when i am done.

Vickie, you said you bought arches for $25.00 and good support shoes, Maybe I will try that in the mean time, we only have one income coming into the house at this time and $500.00 is alot of money. Glad you enjoyed the movie, 911 really hits close to home. My mom, brothers & sister inlaws all work in Manhatten and had to be evacuated. There was no public transportation so they had to walk accross the bridge to get out of Manhatten. My brother lost his friend in the world trade center. I live a hour from the city and to this day I will not take my kids on the NYC subway. I would rather drive & pay $40.00 for parking.

Kathy so sorry you got assaulted . My husband is always getting kicked out of bed, he snores terrible, keeps me up all night.

Melissa, isn't 24 great!! I even went to the library and got season 1 & 2, I started watching the show in season 3

Oh, Niki ... you don't know the half of it! I slept in the guest room for a year due to major snoring until my son moved back in with us last summer. Then I was forced to move back to the master bedroom but that's when I discovered earplugs. They work great but do NOT protect me from getting smacked in the middle of the night! I have a scratch over my lip and I don't know if it's from Judd or the dog! He (Judd, not the dog) feels bad enough so I'm going to let it go. Thankfully he's out of town until Friday so I have a wide open sleeping schedule.

That's a lot of money for arches, whether one or two or 10 incomes! Yikes! I hope you can figure out a work-around solution meanwhile.

Niki, that is so interesting about what your doctor said. I also have high arches and had to have special supports (not $500 though! ) years ago. Recently I have been having really bad heel pain too. I wonder if it is related. Interesting, thanks for sharing. Oh, and DH and I got a DVR for Christmas--since then we have been recording reruns of 24. So far we have all of this season (that has aired) and a great deal of season 2 and 3.

Kathy, I'm glad that you were able to get out and get stuff done today. I know that has to make you feel better. And congrats on those skinny-minny pants!

Well I need to go to the pharmacy and Kroger for a few CORE things. Here's some of the stuff I'm going to try to make this week:
Chili and Rice
Southwestern Chicken Sandwich (like Texas Roadhouse, going to attempt my own)
Cola Chicken
Cheesy Chicken and Rice
Sweet and Sour Chicken
Cola Chicken
Dreamsicle
Graham Cracker Treats

What do you think? A couple of these I've never made before but I only have to supplement a couple of ingredients from what I already have. I'll be sure to give full report.