Dagmar~what a great story! Too bad no one had a camera!!

Lily~do not get roped into a Rainbo vacuum. Animal lovers as we are need to have a Dyson!

Meg~Although I haven't been to the gym lately (and I really loathe the idea of going for at least a month or so until it calms down) I do have my own observation to add:

--it only makes you look pitiful if you moan with every rep.

There is a middle aged woman working with a trainer at my gym. She often comes at the same time that I am there. She mainly does mat work--very little free weights or machines. She does a little on the treadmill and seems to be okay there, but while seated on the raised "bed" that most of us use for abs work, she is to lift a 2 pound medicine ball in various movements. It's as if she's being TORTURED! I can't see any scars that would be evidence of recent surgery and she is minimally out of shape, but I cannot determine what she is trying to evoke from the rest of us with her very loud moaning. Seriously? I have come to the realization that she is looking for pity and it isn't working. Everyone seems repulsed by it. I have also decided that I, from this time forward, will not seek pity from anyone when I'm not feeling well. Now I understand what my Mom went through when she had breast cancer. She stopped telling people because she didn't want people feeling sorry for her--because she didn't feel sorry for herself.

Thanks Meg, it's good to be back. I was in a bit of a rut there for a while. Just constantly busy with shopping and babysitting and tired all the time. I'm out of that rut now. Eating healthy again (opposed to skipping meals then overeating). Glad to be back to my exercise routine.


Meg and Lori, I will post some pic's of my new ring as soon as I get it back from the jewelers. It was a size 7 and my finger a size 5 1/2 so was very scared of losing it. I was very disappointed to find it won't be ready until Jan. 20th (almost 3 weeks away). I did wear it for about 3 days before taking it to be resized.

Gotta love my son's Christmas gift he had sent to me. It was a commercial grade Margarita maker, complete with a bar book and margarita glasses. It's really nice, but since I don't and Can't drink any alcohol , I guess DH will make great use of it though! I think Shane just forgot!

My son should be home for good by March 1st. Per his request, I went last week and leased him a very nice duplex. I had all utilities turned on in his name and paid up the rent until he gets home. (We both knew this new place wouldn't stay empty until he came home cause it's very nice and of course, on a golf course!) A friend of his will be looking after the place til he gets back. His new place is only 15 min's from home, so I'm sure I'll still see him often.

Dagmar, that's a cute doggy story.

Did any of you other dog lovers go see the movie "Marley and Me"? OMG, I did. Reminded me very much of my labrador, Molly. Not to spoil it, but I thought it was supposed to just be a comedy!

Allison, I didn't buy the rainbo Vacuum. I don't even have carpet anymore, I have wood floors now. I did though take the free trip to Branson, MO just for letting them do the demo.

Hi,

Belated Happy New Year everyone. As a newbie maintainer happy to report I did not gain a pound over the holidays. Some friends and I did dim sum at this fantastic restaurant today though so maybe there will be some tomorrow. The dessert was mango with whipped cream wrapped in dough. I had more than one!

evilwomaniamshe: Thanks.

Did not do my daily 10 k walk because its snowing now. Pretty big flakes which I hope will not cause chaos with the transit system.

Take care,

Cie

Here's a couple of photos for the cat lovers:

My 18 month old kitten in her new favorite spot - who knows how she discovered it



The cats help DH celebrate the new year!




Snow on the deck - can you tell we haven't grilled lately?



Snow in the back yard....

WaterRat-- your kitties are beautiful! The snow pictures make me cold though!!

Lily-- LOVED Marley and Me! I had read the book so I knew what to expect but I do think they were deceptive with their marketing as it did look 100% comedy.

Pat -lovely pictures & what a cute cat!

Love the pictures PAT. Doesn't look like the grizzly bear on the couch scares the kitties.

Gads, Gary, it's all he can do to keep them off of him. Only when he's standing up is he "cat-free." I don't know what odor he puts out, but all the cats we've had - and that's quite a few in 37 years - just love him.

Still -25F here. I'm off to see if my car will start before I get dressed for church...

I'm having an off day today. While I feel fine, I have no energy at all. I can't seem to nap, either so I'm just vegging out. I don't know if I'll have the ebrgy to cook dinner. I think the holidays have caught up to me. Too bad I have to go back to work tomorrow.

I am afraid to see Marley and Me just because I lost it reading the book and because Buddy is at that stage where his rear end doesn't cooperate. It's hard watching him fall so much. I did just finish another lab book called The Art of Racing in the Rain. Still ended in the expected way but was more of a happy sad. I really liked the book

Cie, Congrat's on making goal.

Pat, those pics are beautiful.

Allison, sorry you feel in a rut today. Yes, you probably should not see Marley and Me.

Michele, yes that marketing was deceptive.

I had a good workout at my gym today (although sticking mainly to cardio until I'm back full swing into my routine). A friend of mine just joined the gym and wants to workout with me 3-4 times per week. I'll see how it goes. (so far every time I've had a gym partner they end up quitting). So far she hasn't gone a single time with me yet (out of 4 times offered, hmmmm).

Happy New Year, All!
On January 1, I started out the year well--went for an hour walk with my hubby. Sadly, since then--for two days--I didn't exercise. UGH! To top it off, I also haven't been eating OP very well--ok, hardly at all. I know it could be worse, but the scale is showing some pretty nasty numbers these days. I think tomorrow is throw it all in the garbage day. I made fudge on Christmas day and I think I'm the only one eating it. Tonight, my hubby agreed to do a 40 minute walk with me, so I feel as if I can turn this around. No, it's not just a feeling. I KNOW I will turn this around.
Though I've been eating off plan, I've refused to skip weighing in and I've forced myself to write down what I'm eating rather than just "pigging out" as I've been doing. Tonight, it ends. Tomorrow is my youngest son's 18th birthday. It doesn't seem possible...for him to be 18, that means I'm, gulp, also 18 years older. Not feeling that way, though. Thank God!
Tomorrow, I'm back on plan and enjoying eating healthy again. Scale could have been much, much worse and I could have really let it all rip, so I have to stay positive. It will be good to be back working full time again in another week. It's so much easier to do well when the temptation is gone and I'm busy.
Stay warm, all! It's already 8 below here and not yet 10:00 in the evening. BRRRRR! Those of you who are where you can enjoy the sun tomorrow, please take in some rays for me. I hope to move to the warmth in summer 2010, so I only have to hold out about 1.5 more years!!!