Annie - $10 per session is reasonable. I've seen classes in both Wisconsin and CA go for $15-$20 per session. And with the ability to purchase a 10 session package for $8 per session makes it even better. The fact that the class is at a hospital makes me believe that the instructor has been approved by the hospital (as opposed to just being someone who rents space in a scary part of town).

Annie - I agree with Michelle on the yoga prices. I just signed up with a package deal for the Kundalini yoga - $60 for 6 lessons at $10 each or they are $12 if you want to pay as you go. The hatha yoga class I take is a reduced rate of $12 per class through the university - she charges $17 per class if you take her unsubsidized class. The class I took at the senior center was free if you were 60 or over but I was not at the time and I paid $7 a class - they received a grant to pay for the teacher. So the classes vary in price. There are also fancy "designer" yoga classes at the gym which are quite pricy. I will say to not get discouraged if you have to try one or more yoga teachers. I found the one at the senior center was not good at giving modifications and worked us like we were 20 year olds. Both teachers I have now will ALWAYS ask how you are feeling before class - that is very important in the quality of a teacher - and will give modifications if you have certain sensitive parts. For example I got neck strain yesterday and mentioned it - she immediately gave me a modified move. And, like taking vitamins - you might not notice it helping while you are doing it - I totally noticed how stiff and achey I got the month I was on break between classes. So now even if I don't make a class, I will do my dvds. Good luck - I am proud of you for seeking out a class - I know you are not keen on organized exercise. I very much hope you will get some positive benefits.

also there are many different yoga styles. Hatha is the most gentle and ask if this is a gentle class. Some of the moves can get pretty rigorous. I convinced my friend to come on Wednesday and I was a bit happy to hear that she (who is very thin) said that she was really sore the next day and surprised because our movements are small, slow and delicate. You really do work a lot of muscles - even if in a gentle way. I hope your cramps are over and finished! And let me clarify that I was happy to hear she ached too because then I knew it was not just me feeling it because I'm out of shape.

Happy - Great comments about yoga. My yoga teacher ALWAYS ask how we are feeling at the beginning of class, and shows modifications. So ironic that the instructor at the SENIOR Center worked you like you were 20 year olds.

It was a great day to be a Ohio Buckeye today! The whole state is so excited about the win and The Ohio State University being National Champions!

Today my leg feels normal! I will still keep my appointments as I want to be sure that nothing was missed but it feels so good not to have that strain on the inside of the thigh and radiate out to the hip and down the leg. I will keep doing my exercises as well and I plan on having an adjustment tomorrow.

I have been walking the building inside a bit just doing it once--that makes my leg and hip tired but I think it is good for me and hopefully building strength in my legs.

I also did very good with my food today and that includes the cookie that I had a lunch..it came with the boxed lunch and I wanted it. It satisfied me and I moved on.

Happy: I'm glad the bag arrived and I am glad you like it and think it will work. I used it when I took a yoga class with a friend of mine about 4 years ago. I liked they way it held my matt on the bottom of the bag...it never fell out.

My friend had breast cancer and the yoga class we took was for relaxation and stress relief. We had a great teacher...and he was sexy (and he was gay..why is that always the way?! lol). He would always ask how we were feeling before we got started. He did one whole class one time where we did nothing but just sit and breathe...it was amazing.

My friend felt it helped her a great deal to deal with chemo and such and felt it was a great part of her healing..she learned to be in touch with her body and herself.

Thanks for your support and help back up on that wagon. I so struggle with having to do everything perfect or I don't do it...that is a change I really need to make for myself, especially in the area of weight-loss.

Annie: Thanks for cheering for Ohio State! Indiana is in the shadow of "The Shoe" so we will make you an honorary Buckeye during college football season.

I'm so glad you are feeling better. I agree that the $10 yoga class is a good deal. I am also glad to hear that your boss is laid back about what time you arrive to work as long as you get your time in and your work done. It is like that were I work..it has to be when you are commuting. You can never really plan for what will happen on the highway.

How was taco Tuesday?

Dee: It sounds like Revenge is very good..I better get caught up. I'll do that this weekend and then we can chat about it. Bring your pillow and yourself on over to my "heated" bed and we will hang out, talk , read on our Kindles...it will be a fun "girls" time.

Terra: I like your "new" picture. It's ok that it was from a time you were slimmer...it's a good way to remind yourself that you were there once and will be again..It's a good motivational tool.

Laura: I don't like fooling with electronic gadgets as well. I just want them to work. The fitbit is pretty easy to set up. I didn't stop at my brothers today to get the dongle so I will do that Thursday when my commute takes me back that way.

Michelle: 9 hours of sleep sounds wonderful!

Hi Shad, Claygirl and Ceejay

That is all for now. I DVR'd the Bachelor last night while the game was one so I am going to go watch it and then head to bed.

Yay Susie Congratulations on the Buckeye win I think it's rather cool to have that state / national pride. There is something also to being a part of something greater than oneself. I'm glad that your leg is feeling much better and it sounds as if you realize that you need to continue some gentle movements to keep it loose. I think you have the right approach. I laughed at your comment about the gay guy being sexy. First of all a lot of them are drop dead gorgeous. Secondly I think gay guys are far more in touch with their feminine side which makes them loyal and supportive and all those things that the guys we love sometimes aren't. Gay guys understand what it means when a girl "vents" and they don't try to fix anything, they just know how to listen while we get it out of our system. I like the idea of a girls night on the heated mattress pad, discussing all sorts of things. All we need is some wine. If you don't mind I would point out that your need to do things perfectly actually is a detriment when it engages "analysis paralysis" and keeps you from making progress by stifling you. Nothing wrong with striving to be the best you can but ... next time you hold yourself back because you can't do things perfectly, that's when you have to let go.

I recently read an article about 5 things that make a good yoga teacher. Modifications was one thing, stressing that we all have different bodies and work at different paces was another - set your intention, don't worry about what others are doing and do what you can for yourself. Remember that they call it a yoga "practice" that means we are always practicing - no matter how long we have done it or how much we have done - we are always still practicing. The third thing was asking how each student was feeling before the class so they can make an assessment and react accordingly. I honestly don't remember what the other two items were - mostly because my Wednesday teacher does all of this. I think the issue with the instructor at the senior center had to do with someone who is better at execution than teaching. She knew her moves, I don't think she was good at relating to other people. A few other folks said the same thing about her however, she has 3 classes a week there so there are a lot of people who are just fine with her and that's ok.

I also agree with Michelle that if it's at the hospital, it might be someone who is a little more attuned to some of the more subtle benefits of yoga. Let us know how you like it.

Sounds like many of us have our own stories of that mini version of the "finger" guillotine - the mandolin A wonderful, but dangerous invention.

Michelle - I guess I would mention to the doctor at your next follow up about the extreme tiredness. Perhaps you might also be low on some vitamins. You are certainly getting enough exercise to keep you awake. How is it being back at work again?

Laura - yarg - liquid potatoes - ick. Hopefully they didn't start to rot and smell. I actually heard that you don't want to keep them in a place that is too cold - like the refrigerator. It messes with the sugars in the potatoes or something and wrecks them. I got enthused from a glowing report of a customer at the farmer's market and bought a 30 pound bag of yellow onions - she said it lasted her all winter. I have them in the cool basement in a darker area and so far they are as fresh as when I bought them 2 months ago. The 2 I had upstairs in the kitchen started to sprout - I think it was the warmth and sunlight. Same with potatoes sprouting eyes. I laughed that you made dog treats in shapes. I was thinking of that once but the dough we use is soooo dense it's enough work to score the cookies with a pizza cutter. One lady I was in Facebook class with had a business making dog treats. She had a "tasting panel" of her dogs and several friends pups. I asked if they liked the sweet / peanut butter or the savory better and she said while most dogs liked peanut butter, the ones she made with turkey and beef were far more preferred by canines with discriminating tastes I think the medium and large dogs will eat just about anything - people said small dogs like Yorkies and toy poodles tended to be more fussy with their treats and such.

Annie - how was taco Tuesday? Are you a late lunch person? I'm surprised because you get up so early but many folks said they liked taking lunch at 1pm because it made the rest of the day go by more quickly. I found if I waited until 1, often things would come up and more than likely, I'd miss lunch altogether.

Hello to the rest of the chicks. I turn the heat down at night so that it's cooler when DH goes to bed with the chickens. (Early I mean). So it gets cool in here. Both kitties sit with him in the bedroom and beg for treats. Then when Nina hears me go upstairs and click on the heater, she runs up here and digs in my leg to jump up by my computer. I don't know why she wants to lay here as her head is bouncing like a blender as I try and type while she lays on me. Her eyes are closed, she is sucking up as much heat as possible and she is trying to go to sleep. This causes me problems typing and the more I push her, the more she just pushes back until sometimes I get frustrated and just put her on the floor. And I would put the heater on the floor for her, she just is stubborn and wants to lay on my laptop with the heater blowing on her. Just like she is now and will accept nothing less. So I'll fix her and shut everything off and go downstairs and read Good night everyone.

Good Freezing Morning here in the circle city. Burrrrr.

Thank you all for your input on yoga. Good to know those things as I did not know them. We are not starting the class until next week as it is on Thursday and I have a hair appt this Thursday.

Geez it is so cold in this building my fingers are purple. I have on my fat flannel jacket, the space heater going and I am still freezing. The good thing is no cramps. Yesterday was my first day without them. I had a little this morning however they went away after I went to the loo. hehe.

HAPPY...you are so funny. I liked your statement "that I am not keen on organized exercise". You have that wrong. I am not keen on ANY type of exercise. haha. I kind of have Samantha at heart about going, she really needs some type of relief. I stopped by to pick up Sassy last night and it was so quiet in their house. Chris was watching TV and on his phone, the kids were playing cars on the floor and Sam was sitting at the table doing something. It is usually very loud with the kids and all. Anyway....Taco Tuesday was fabulous. I should only get one instead of two cause I can never eat it all. The tacos are huge and loaded, they definitely don't skimp on them. I like later lunches for that very reason, makes the afternoon go faster. Plus I eat my breakfast at my desk around 8:30 (cottage cheese and fruit usually). How are your joints holding up with the yoga? Do you think the yoga helps that? I am all for it if it does.

SUSIE....I used to be a huge Indiana U. fan all the way but have not followed them in years. Probably because it was due to my xh being a fan and we were all about it then. Not so much, so I am glad to be a honorary Ohio fan. So glad your legs are getting back to normal. Amen to that. One cookie won't hurt too much, just as long as it doesn't turn into a cookie fest and eat the entire box. lol

CHELLE...you are dropping the weight at a perfect rate. Good for you. I am happy that you are happy with the outcome of all of this. Who knew? Look how far you have come in the past two or so years!! Proud of you sister.

I am going to post this and come back a bit later and finish personals.

Diyana: I would love to see a picture of your pup Santa! I would have more dogs if I could. I adore dogs. I have a beagle (Leo) and a german shepherd/pit/rottie mix (Tilly), both rescues, and a small kitty named Gimli. That’s great that you guys keep the dog park looking nice, we don’t really have one close by, there’s a really nice one about 35 minutes away, but it’s very crowded, and pretty far. I’m glad to hear that overall you feel so much better after surgery. That sounds like a hard adjustment, any surgery is pretty tough on your body! It sounds like you’re doing well! I’ve found that once I get in the groove of eating better foods, I don’t crave the old comfort foods as often either (every once in a while I definitely do!).

Shad That meal sounds delicious! I’ll have to try that sometime.

MyChoice2bfit I’m feeling alright, things are coming and going. I woke up this morning very nauseated (much more than the last couple days) and I’m now getting some pelvic pain and cramps. So… either this is a really nasty TOM, or I may be pregnant. I’m trying to think about it just being normal TOM stuff, because I know I’ll be so sad if I’m not pregnant, so I’m attempting to not get my hopes up. It’s hard though. I’ve got errands and work that I need to knock out today, I have 4 assessments to score and get together for my visits the next two days. So I have a lot to distract myself with!

miniDoodles: My husband has an employee that always complains about it being so cold in her apartment, but sets the thermostat at 80 in the winter. Then she gets really upset when her bill comes and doesn’t understand why it’s so high And yes… I do have some favorite baby names. For a boy, my two favorites are William (William is a family name, my husbands, and his dads names. I think I would want to use Liam for short though) also James. For a girl, I love Penelope (Penny for short), Ella, and Claire. My husband’s family also desperately want grandbabies. They are wonderful though, they never harass us about it, we just hear from my husband’s brother that they REALLY want them. I’m more worried about my parents. My mom has borderline personality disorder and dad is a narcissist, kind of dangerous to have kids around those two. I actually recently stood up to my mom for the first time ever because I was thinking about my kids being exposed to her, and that just… cleared my head like nothing else. At least I have wonderful in laws .

happy2bme I’m glad you’re liking yoga! I like yoga a lot too, but the gym close to us is I think $40/month for classes, and I don’t know if I’m that committed yet. I’m stingy with money, and indecisive. Whenever I buy something, my husband can usually see where I bought it from one store, returned it, and bought it again cheaper at another store. I can’t help it. Right now I’m doing p90x yoga when I can, but it’s ridiculously hard! Sounds like you will be having pig for a while! Sounds good though. I agree about the stomach bug, usually when I get those I’m nauseated for a bit, then I throw up for about two days, then it’s over. I haven’t actually thrown up, it’s just this lingering nausea/ dizziness. It’s worse after I eat, and it just randomly hits me and I sit very still until I feel better. We do get butterflies on our coneflowers! I love butterflies. We actually got a hummingbird last year on my agapanthus, and I was so ridiculously excited! It was amazing. I didn’t get a picture because the hummingbird left when I moved, but it was still really wonderful! I bet your husband has a wonderful time doing photography where you are, it sounds like you have endless beautiful subjects to photograph! Haha, your cats sound like mine. My cat Gimli likes me just fine, but adores my husband.

Laura705 Yep, dogs love peanut butter everything. My dogs love American cheese. Whenever I open the cheese drawer on our fridge they come running and sit in front of me, tails wagging. It’s pretty cute. I haven’t seen “wild” I’ll have to look into that. I haven’t watched downtown in a while, I became very sad when certain horrible things happened, and haven’t been able to watch it for a while. I do love it though! The dowager is just amazing every time she opens her mouth (but that’s to be expected right?). I used to have a fitbit (zip) but mine broke. Now I’m holding out for the jawbone up 3, but I’m getting impatient because they’re taking so long to release it!

Things are pretty good here, my husband and I had a couple nice days together since he was off, despite me feeling sick. No news at this time about any relocating, hopefully soon we'll get more info. My husband's birthday is tomorrow, he will be 27. I bought him a video game I know he wanted, and a bottle of Scotch. He accidentally found it while cleaning the other day... He's very excited about the gifts though so that's good! He can have them tomorrow. His family is coming up this weekend to take him out to dinner for his birthday. I'm excited to see them, his family is wonderful. I'm just ready to know one way or another, pregnant, or not. I'm going to get tests today, and I should be able to start testing tomorrow (although the accuracy may not be good until next monday) tomorrow is supposed to be 5 days before TOM, but I know testing still isn't very accurate that early. I'm just going a little crazy not knowing.

This is a picture I snapped of my dogs. Tilly (on the lower step) had just thrown up on the stairs, and they gathered to watch me scrub it clean. So nice of them!

Morning all,

Claygirl you just made me laugh so hard about the dogs watching you clean up their mess. Isn't that just like pets? Cute looking doggies. I like Tilly's shepherd's face and something else mix body. If you saw a hummingbird you MUST put up feeders next year. They will come always come back to where they found food (be it feeders or flowers) the prior year. Don't buy premixed hummingbird food - make your own. It's a 1 to 4 ratio so 1 cup sugar to 4 cups water gently boiled for 10 minutes and allowed to cool. Or 1/4 cup sugar to 1 cup water if you want to make a small batch for one feeder. We had tons of hummingbirds in Memphis and when we moved up here we put up feeders hoping to attract some and we always have a bunch of them. They like to sit in the pine trees next to the house. I have lots of really neat pictures as I was sitting on the deck watching them. I can't have flowers on the ground because the deer nibble everything - if they don't outright eat it, they take a bite and spit it out on the ground. So my flowers are in pots on the deck. Everything I plant - flowers and herbs is to specifically attract hummingbirds and butterflies. We both like to take pictures of them. I think you have something about keeping it too warm during the winter and then being cold all the time. This winter (which is milder than last winter's brutal cold) I have the small space heaters on when I sit at the computer or watching TV. I noticed that when I go outside now or brrrrrr get in the freezing car that has been sitting overnight in the garage, I get bone chilled cold now. I think it's because the old body got used to the heater blasts. Perhaps your husband's coworker is cold because she lives in a drafty apartment. Last year when propane prices shot up from $1.59 to almost 5 dollars a gallon my husband was telling me we had to conserve propane. I said bull stinking horse balls - it's minus 35 below zero out there (air temp thank - you polar vortex) and we are KEEPING THE HEAT ON thank you. I did put an extra sweater on but we have big windows and we get a lot of chill from them if it's cloudy out. Happy birthday to your husband. Oh 27 was just the most perfect age. Tell him to enjoy his youth and that all body parts are still working wonderfully You go girl on the P90x classes - I am in total admiration of anyone who can keep up with that series. I hope you get good news in the baby department. I imagine it must be hard just waiting it out. And that's a bummer with your folks but at least you recognize there are issues and you have DH's family to step in with the support. Also good to be aware of personality issues and squash them like a bug if we see them popping up early in ourselves or our kids

Annie - I say organized exercise because it's not like you are adverse to any sort of movement. If they could come up with an exercise class that incorporated mad house cleaning skills, I think you'd be all over that Hey, maybe that can be 2015's new exercise trend. Scrub your floor while doing Zumba My very first yoga class (with my favorite teacher) all she had us do for 90 minutes was lay on the floor on our mats covered with a blanket, one of those rice filled satin pillows on our eyes and as we listened to soft music and her soft voice, she took us through guided meditation. Afterwards I was so relaxed it was like getting a total body massage and I was hooked. I wish we'd do that again but we do more moving now and only 5 minutes of quiet time before and after the session. As for your question on the joints - we do small movements like rotating our hands in a circle that "lubes" up the joints and I swear that really does work. Also movements / poses that open the hips and such. The only thing I noticed for myself is that my arms and legs have shrunk tremendously - for example on my back I cannot bring knees to chest and hug my legs, my arms are about 12 inches too short. But that's why we have yoga straps and bricks - to give us extra room when we need it. That is nice that you are doing something for Sissy. I am sorry to hear that her life is stressed right now. I imagine it's very hard with today's new lifestyle of blended families - hard enough when 2 people have different ideas on child rearing but when you add in yours, mine and our kids scenarios along with people from prior relationships - parents and grandparents - it gets downright goofy with too many opinions. One of the things I see up here all the time is that being an older crowd, many of the people have kids in their late 20s and 30's. They are on second marriages. Invariably one person is tight with money and raised their kids to be strong and independent and do for themselves while the other partner tended to coddle their kids who became rather dependent on mom/dad frequently helping out. This causes many a fight between the new mom and dad about how money is spent. It totally gets complicated Yikes!

It's softly snowing outside. I hope we don't get too much of the white stuff. It was supposed to get to near 30 by Friday but they are backing down from that. I have a training session today at 1 - I think I am going to ask him to teach me some moves with free weights. There are way too many guys using the equipment and I am not about to fight with them about my right to use it too so I will do my weight training with dumbells or stretch bands. Then I have my hatha yoga class starting again. Since it's our first session it would be amazing if we did 90 minutes of just mediation, especially since I am a bit sore and tight from Monday's class. Then I have to come home and get the pork out of the garage coolers and into my freezer. Yesterday we had bratwurst. I wasn't expecting much as it looked sort of dull colored and I have 6 packages of 6 links to a package. But it was delicious. I just pan fried it on the grill pan and served it with some cucumber salad, cole slaw and some fried potatoes with peppers and onions - not exactly diet friendly. The sausage was nicely seasoned and the best part is that it was ground sausage with seasonings. No filler, no bits of fat and gristle that you often find in store bought packaged sausage. It was lean but very good. DH said he really liked it and ate 3 links of it. I stopped at one. I have defrosted a small ham steak for ham and eggs and one of the small hams - don't know why I did 2 ham choices I was thinking of sampling things. I also have cod defrosted for dinner tonight just to have something different lest we wake up tomorrow with curly tails and a snout from consuming too much pork! But my point is that I am quite happy with the quality of this meat. Enough fat to be flavorful but actually on the lean and healthier side. Anyway... nuttin' getting done sitting here so hello to the rest of the chicks, will come back later and catch up. Happy hump day!

I am back but not for long, this day has turned into a nightmare.

CLAYGIRL....your doggies are so cute. Kind of remind me of my DDs new doggie, a rescue of sort, got it free, it is boxer/great dane/blue heeler mix with paws the size of paper plates. Huge, huge, huge. Funny you mention the baby names Ella and Claire. A friend of mine named her lil girl, who is now 5, Claire Ella. Doesn't really flow well but the girl is adorable. My niece named her daughter Aria Emily, doesn't flow for me either, but to each their own. My son's name is John Jacob (jingle hymmer schmidt), John is his dad's name and Jacob because we liked it. He goes by Jake or Tater.

HAPPY...well, I don't clean as madly as I used to. I think I have crossed the older age lazy line. Sheesh. I don't even cook as much as I used to. My xMIL used to make the best pinto bean soup ever. She used to fling pork in it, as she used to say. Even wrote the recipe out that way for me. If you are interested I can try to find the recipe. There you go, our millionaire idea, zumba cleaning for the nutbags. lol.

Happy Wednesday!

I had a great walk with my friend yesterday. He and his wife have been avid hikers and backpackers since their teens, and their grown son is taking the necessary courses to become a Park Ranger. I asked about nearby hiking trails that might be easier for me to start with. He gave me a couple ideas and said he would try and come up with a few more. We also discussed the movie "Wild". He, his wife and son went and they all enjoyed it. I really want to see it while it's in the theaters. Maybe I'll go this weekend if I have time and energy.

I'm not quite as tired today as I have been the past two days. Everyone who has had the surgery has told me it takes awhile to get back to previous energy levels. Today after work, I'm going to the gym for cardio and a bit of strength training.

=================

Susie - Congrats on the Ohio State victory! And even more congratulations on the leg feeling normal! Walking should help the leg muscles and keep lubricating the hip joint, just don't overdo it. I used to be a big-time perfectionist too. All or nothing mentality, that was me. Especially after I hurt my back. It hurt to walk and it hurt to stand so I didn't exercise at all. It wasn't until my Zumba teacher started working out with me one-on-one, showing me ways I could do Zumba moves while seated on an exercise ball that I began to realize that I can choose to do the best I can, and that's perfect enough.

Happy - I really liked the 5 things that make a good yoga teacher. My yoga teacher insists on a "no judgment", where we can't judge anyone, especially not ourselves, if we have difficulty. Being back at work is good. Would I prefer to be independently wealthy? Sure. But I like my job a lot. I got a laugh out of the dog treat tasting panel. Santa LOVES peanut butter, and he also really likes sweet potato flavor. Ever since his bout of pancreatitis, I'm really careful with what treats he gets. And I've asked people at the dog park not to give him treats. I used to take a late lunch to make the afternoon go faster. Now I eat at my desk (I know...not good), so I eat when I'm hungry. If I have errands to run , I try and go by 11:30, so that when I return at 12:30, people will still be at lunch and I'll have a better shot at a parking space. I started doing that when I worked at Kohl's corporate office where parking was at such a premium. Good idea to ask your trainer to show you moves with free weights. Nice that the quality of the pork is really good, especially when you bought so much of it.

Annie - I'm so glad to hear the cramps have subsided. Thanks for all your support and encouragement...and answers to my silly surgery questions. Love you, sista. I love Zumba, but hate cleaning...so not sure whether I'd like the new exercise craze or not. I hope your day gets better. Sending you hugs.

Claygirl - Your dogs are adorable! So cute! I love dogs too. I'll find a good picture of Santa and post it. The cravings for sweets and such haven't been unbearable. But this weekend at the bar where a group of us watches Packer games, the organizer of the group is bringing cupcakes. It might be pretty hard to resist those, but I have to as because of the surgery that much sugar and carbs will make me very sick. I just keep telling myself that. I will probably bring some kind of sugar-free sweet treat to have instead. I like your baby names. I think we all have family members who are "difficult" to varying degrees. It's just good you recognize it. I've never done P90X but I heard it's tough. I love butterflies too. I have to ask...is your kitty named after the Lord of the Rings character Gimli? When it comes to human food, I don't know if my dog likes cheese, but he really likes crunchy iceberg or romaine lettuce, apples, carrots and canteloupe. So nice that you love your in-laws. I loved mine too. In fact, despite being divorced from her son, I'm still close with my DMIL.

to Terra, Dee, Ceejay, Shad and Laura!

Love and hugs to all,

Hi. I am working from home today. It's so nice! I have on yoga pants and a warm sort sweatshirt, a candle burning and jazz music playing in the backgroud. I have done 2 loads of laundry and ran the dishwasher AND I have scheduled 6 new meetings, changed flights for a trip for one of my managers who is in China this week, rescheduled 10 meetings, and am working on a powerpoint presentation.

I thought I would stop for a bit and have some lunch which is the other half of the Mediterranean Veggie sandwhich from Panara yesterday, the rest of my chips from that same meal yesterday and some grapes that I have here at home and water to drink.

Went to see my Primary Care docotor at 9:30. She thinks the pain in my leg is coming from my hip,(like my chiropractor said). She examined my grion area for hernias and my leg for any lymph nodes that might be enlarged. All is good there. She said for me to keep doing the exercises and stretches that the chiropractor gave to me since I am improving with them and periodic adjustments) and she thought it was a good idea that I am seeing the Ortho doctor for my knee and to talk to him about my hip. I see him at 3:30 today and the Chriopactor at 5:30.

I didn't watch all of the Bachelor last night as I fell asleep and DH work me up to go to bed. I will try to watch it again tonight so I can finish it. Every time I sit down to watch tv I get sleepy and fall asleep.

Happy: I will take the good advice that you gave me on being perfect or feeling I need to be and when to let it go. It won't be easy--I have faced this my whole life but when it holds me back from my other goals then it is time to release that feeling and just move on.

Our Maincoon who passed away about 1.5 years ago loved to lay on my lap or beside the computer when I was on it. He would take his paw and bat at my fingers..he wanted to play--I would have to put him down sometimes so I could finish what I was doing...I miss him sitting with me now.

Enjoy the cod you have thawing for dinner. I was laughing when reading your comment about you and your DH growing a tail and a snout!

I hope the yoga and the free weights training are awesome for you!

Claygirl: I know how it is to not want to be disappointed when you are trying to get pregnant so I hope it all works out for you. It sounds like you wil have a very nice celebration with DH and his family for his birthday.

Your dogs are so cute!

Annie: Glad to hear that the cramps didn't return but not glad to hear that your day has turned into a nightmare...hoping that it gets better.
Remember how badly you wanted to go back to work!?
As for the cookie I had yesterday it was just one..it was from Panera and big but still just one. At this time I am not allowing cookies or ice cream in our house because that could get ugly with me and I can't ride roller coasters with you in May if I don't quit eating cookies and ice cream!

Michelle: I can't wait to hear what you think when you get on those trails. I know how badly you want to hike. I see it as a new sport for you..and the fact that you love it and want to do it so much is great because exercise should be fun.

Ok..I need to prep for my 2:00 call with my manager so I better get focused again.

Bye!

Diyana: That’s great that you’re heading to the gym today, way to go! I’d love to see a pic of santa! Ohh. Cupcakes. I’m a fan of cupcakes. That will be hard to resist! And yes, our kitty is named after Gimli from LOTR. He is an oddly small, orange cat. It’s perfect! I’ll see if I can find a picture of him so you can see how small he is. Everyone comments about him being a small cat when they see him. Leo loves any food (classic beagle…) he loves carrots, they both love almonds, Tilly will take a carrot, chew it to pieces, and leave all the little pieces on the carpet, couch, wherever she was chewing. She does not get carrots anymore! Tilly just loves socks and my husbands undershirts. She will prance around the house with one of his undershirts in her mouth, it’s by far her favorite thing!

MyChoice2bfit It is always nice to work from home! I love wearing my cozy clothes, and that way I can get stuff done around the house too! Hopefully you’ll get things worked out about your leg today, it’s so frustrating when you know something is wrong, but they can never tell you what! I hope you get answers today. I’m expecting to be disappointed this month, I’m hoping that will make it easier? I’ve just been so ill again today, but it’s still 6 days out, and I’m pretty sure pregnancy tests are still about 50/50 at this point as far as accuracy.

happy2bme : Yep, my pups are too cute for their own good! They’re both quirky though. Tilly is afraid of men, we don’t really know why. We got her from a rescue when she was 1. Leo, is terrified of new inanimate objects, but other than that he is super confident. We taught him how to “look ashamed” he loves training. When we tell him “look ashamed” he lies down and puts his face between his paws. It is so cute! We love it. Tilly is harder to train because she’s skittish, but she is SO cuddly. She is 50 pounds but thinks she’s a lap dog. When I get up in the morning she gives me hugs (both front paws on my shoulders and licks my face). I will definitely make that simple syrup for hummingbirds this year! (hopefully we won’t move). That’s amazing that you have so many that hang out near your house. My in laws have the same problem with deer, my MIL hates deer, she sees them as vermin at this point because they trample/eat all her plants and poop all over her yard. We don’t have them here so I can’t really commiserate! I have problems with my neighbors letting their dogs/cats use my front yard as a litter box. I don’t keep up with P90x very well, I definitely have to take breaks, but just finishing it makes me feel good, even if I can’t do everything! They are SO crazy hard!

Annie: Sounds like Tilly has some things in common with your DDs new dog, she also has giant paws! She also will bat at me with those giant paws if she feels I’m not giving her enough love. She’s a cuddle bug. I like the name John Jacob. I was thinking of (if we have a boy one day) William James, I think it has a nice ring to it, but I also like both names individually.

So, today I knocked out some errands earlier, every bump in the road made me feel queasy! I also could barely stop myself from laughing earlier, because I was checking out at target, and all I had was peppermint icecream (by far my favorite, and I always snatch it when I see it) and… pregnancy tests. The checkout lady didn’t say anything, but I immediately called my husband to tell him, and he laughed. I think I’m going to rest for a bit soon after I put all the groceries away, I’m just kind of pooped today. It’s hard to tell what’s going on now because this could all be just nasty PMS symptoms. Hopefully I’ll make it through work the next few days and then have answers!

Susie - I loved working from home when that was an option. I was always more productive at home (fewer interruptions). And I was able to multitask with things like getting the laundry done. I'm glad that the doc visit went well. I hope your visit with the Ortho doc and the chiropractor go well also. When I read about your late kitty batting at your fingers, I smiled. When I have Santa in the car and he's in the front seat, he bats at my hand or arm when I reach for the stick shift. It'll probably be a couple months before I do any hiking. Right now, I'm working on building up the distance I can walk.

Claygirl - I'm a fan of all sweets, especially brownies and ice cream. That's why deciding to have this surgery was a very difficult decision. From what I've been told, I will eventually be able to have one bite of dessert, but any more than that and I risk getting very sick (nausea, possibly vomiting and/or diarrhea, and feeling dizzy and like I want to pass out). Gimli is a fitting name for your small, orange cat. Sounds like Leo is very smart. Awww, I loved reading how Tilly gives you hugs and kisses. Too funny about your purchases at Target! I have to ask...is your husband's name Clay (hence Claygirl)?

Ok. Lunch break is over. Back to work for me. But before I go, here is a picture of me and Santa.

And here's an "action shot" of Santa when he was running the lure course.