Judy, the snow at Crater this time of year is normal - at my house it's still a bit unusual. The pool dropped from 72 to 63 degrees during the return of winter days. But it's upt to 70 again. Thank heaven for the solar panels. I'm hoping for a swim tomorrow. I'm also thinking of buying a wetsuit so I can swim earlier in the spring and later in the fall. I do love that pool
Marie

Ooo la la!!!! I just bought an aquaskin full suit for swimming in the cold waters. I chose the winter weight for temps in the 50's. I'm so excited. They also had a pretty fitness swimsuit for cheap and ultraswim shampoo and conditioners so perhaps my hair won't turn green this summer. Ah, I wish my suit was here - I'd dive in right now. But I did choose 2 day air.
Marie

Carol - I hope you had a lovely time at the shower, I'm sure it was a big success as you are a great hostess. By now you're probably having that wine by candlelight!

Marie - Yes, I do need to shake up the exercise a bit. I have been doing tons of yard work and I'm doing an hour of yoga a week. I still need to do some more aerobic exercise though. Like it or not, I'm going to have to start walking again! Hopefully my foot will cooperate. You are so lucky having a pool! Good idea to get a wetsuit for the cooler weather. Now you'll have a longer swimming season . Good thing you have solar - it must save you a bundle on heating!

Judy - Oooo Margaritas - my favorite! We saw Cars some time ago - it's amazing how they did that animation! I think it was way too long. Little kids, who were the main audience for the movie, would probably get bored. Yep, I'm going to have to catch my fat cells off guard! More exercise would probably scare them off . I've switched to cottage cheese with fruit instead of my usual toast and egg for breakfast so that I can reduce my gluten. Maybe a few changes like that will help.

Nikki - I hope you had a good weekend and that your studies are going well .

We just got home from a fund raiser "Car Rally" put on by one of our chapters. It was tons of fun. Each group got a list of clues and we had to write down things along the way (kind of like a scavenger hunt). The route was a lovely hour and a half drive through the countryside which ended up at a clubhouse where a lavish tea was laid on for the hungry travelers. I "saved" some calories by having very little for lunch so I could enjoy some of the goodies. I actually managed to stay under 1600 cals for the day!

Marie congrats it sounds like it was a super purchase one you will use for a long time. Good idea to get the pretty suit to. Sometimes we wait and then go back to not beable to find one we like. Us fussy ladies yah know!
This weekend I managed to spend a few dollars on myself with a new skirt, 2 tops and a pair capris. Sometimes yah can't find anything. All that I can use for work etc. Of course all on sale at 45% off how could I not. $75.00 for all. And it was Liz wear. Fits nice but the skirt is a little big I am wondering if I should go try on the next size to see how it goes. I will leave the tags on and see I think. Cause if I lose what I want it will be to big in the waist. The shower went great on time with it all the food, presents and dessert and it ended right on schedule. Family and friends helped with the clean up and we were out of there by a little after 4. She got some beautiful gifts. And the future mother inlaw complimented me on the organizing and cooking etc. she was surprised I think of the spread. A lot of people requested my recipes for the Black bean chicken salad with the lime dressing. I made one with ck and one plain for the veggies. Oh never made enchilildas before but were they a hit. One kind with ck and corn one with refried beans cheese and jalopenos. Cut them in half to serve them. The whole wheat ones don't wrap well only crack oh! Had to switch over to reg. So now I have 16 shells to use up. Quesadias I think will be good with those. Now that is over the wedding is next one mile stone at a time. My daughter was so grateful and told me many times how great everything was. Not to brag but it did all work out quite well no problems at all. The girls decorated the hall and how great it looked all with Mexican flair. THe whole theme from invitation to the honeymoon was all based together. On the food front for me last night I was pretty good til I ate the carrot cake a small piece of choc. mouse cake. Oh naughty must of been the release of stress momment. At any rate today will be better cake is gone. I made a strawberry tart that was very good a Taste of Home recipe. Lots of ladies choose that over the bakery cakes a surprise to me and loved it. Real easy and the appearance is great as well that was my first time making many of these dishes talk about risk. But all was well and I am glad it went so well and everyone seemed to be having a good time. Today I will try to get back into the swing of things with my intake. I hurt my back yesterday bringing a heavy box into the house ouch this morning having troubles moving around much hope as the day goes on it eases up. I will have to use some extra perfume as the Ben Gay is stinky. Penny it was wine on the deck last night and bed by 8;30 beat! Penny you do sound very motivated good for you with all the efforts a pay off is due soon! Judy I will party with you my frienda little drink is sometimes in order not often but once in awhile its good for us to let our hair down.
Well off to work I go first I need to get some bills ready to pay yuk! Take care and keep us your good work together we will make our goals. I had compliments yesterday and it felt real good. That always gives us some reason to keep going after my little cake thrill last night it was stress relief and emotions for sure. But oh so good! Take care Nikki your graduation must be real soon? You have so much to be proud of work wise and health wise. Congrats to you!

Marie- Good job on your new suit. That will last you a long time.

Penny-Good job on staying on track with your calories.

Carol-Doesn't it feel nice to shop these days?


I had a nice weekend. I have been eating carbs and noticed I am very sluggish I cannot wait to go back on Atkins Wed. I bought a graduation dress this weekend. I will upload pics from graduation so you ladies can see. It is a cute v neck black little dress size medium woohoo. I also had to buy a dress for a conference Saturday. It is a blue and green water pattern.That one is a mock halter. Size 8 !!!! go me lol. I meet with my professor today and am hoping to be ready to bind my thesis by Wednesday. I am praying I dont have to go to school again tomorrow. I should be able to spend tomorrow making minor changes from home. I graduate May 20.

Nikki

Morning all. Nikki, the graduation is really just around the corner. I take it you made it through the data part. The dresses sound cute - you made me smile with the go me - I totally agree. Go Nikki!!! My aquaskin is a size SMALL. Wow-wee. I sure hope it fits. Totally was in the height and weight so that would be awesome.

Carol, take care of your back. Rest and drink more wine. The shower sounds like quite the gift to your daughter. You're such a generous person.

Penny, the scavenger hunt sounds like fun. Was it part of your British group? Having teas sounds so proper and fun.

Today is my DH's and my 24th wedding anniversary. I made the red velvet cake we had at our wedding. I love the frosting that is part of the recipe but the bakery back then said it wouldn't decorate so they used a cream decorating icing. I'm thinking of decorating it to match the wedding. Just for the fun of it since I do know cake decorating (I've actually made wedding cakes). We're having a monster turkey on the weber grill. I sort of over did it with the turkey - he's 25.4 pounds. He is just a little big for the grill but DH said he'll make him fit. And I'm going to swim this afternoon. I'll probably scream again when I surface from diving in, but I don't care. I just love swimming so much. I also realized that I have a ocean about 3 hours from my house that I'd never swim in because it's too cold - now I'll have aquasuit. DH was happy with my purchase (a definite change - hehehehe).

Well, time to do something. Perhaps a bit of stained glass - I have today off although the supt has already called and I did some work for her this morning.

Marie

Marie - We finish the data part in a few hours. We just have to sumarize it. enjoy your night with DH.


Nikki

Everyone sounds in good spirits today!

Nikki, congratulations on the size 8 dress, and on almost finishing up the thesis. I do't think I've ever heard anyone say that they couldn't wait to get back onto Atkins, but I guess that's a testament to how motivated you are! Go, you!

Carol, I bet the shower was lovely! You must be very pleased, so go ahead and brag as much as you lke, you earned the right. Although I'm worried that the stress of led you to eating a "chocolate mouse cake," yuck! Aren't new clothes fun?

Penny, I'd forgotten about your poor foot. I hope you can find a good aerobic activity that doesn't aggravate it.

Marie, I hope you're not working anymore today, on your day off.

I went to sleep late last night and got up at the last possible minute this morning, so no time for a morning work out (or to make a salad for lunch). So I grabbed a Lean Cuisine, and brought strawberries and sliced veggies for snacks. I went to Curves at lunchtime, and will work out in the fitness center after work. Sunday nights are always hard for me. Usually a show like The Sopranos gets me all wound up, then I lay in bed thinking about what's facing me back at work....I was planning to do some calming yoga before bed, but my mom called late and I skipped it. Anyway, it's always something, so I need to get a handle on a destressing routine.

It's nice to hear about the smaller sizes your ladies are slipping into (even small, alright, Marie!). I will be excited to get to a 1X at this point. I feel smaller, and people tell me I look like I'm losing weight, but the scale isn't registering much change yet. I will do all that I can to generate a whoosh between now and May 20. Maybe I'll join Nikki on Atkins .

Enough already. Time to refill the water jug and get back to work!

judy

Judy - I know what you mean about the night time munchies. I actually feel alot better on atkins I know it is strange. I figure I may be sensitive to carbs and never realized it before because I ate them all the time. I am hoping between now and May 20 to get down to 149. If I can do that I will consider my challenge a success. 146 would be awesome though.

Nikki

Carol - Thanks for sharing about the lovely shower you gave for your daughter. You're the hostess with the mostest! It was a nice touch to have a Cinco de Mayo theme. Just about everyone likes Mexican food. You deserved to have a little treat of a dessert after all that work - you must have burned off a ton of calories! It's nice you got some compliments - that always makes us feel good doesn't it?

Nikki - I can't wait to see the photos. You must be getting really excited about graduation, May 20th isn't far off. Size 8! Woohoo I know what you mean about carbs making you sluggish. I always feel that way after a carb binge. It's nice to get back to "clean" eating.

Marie - Congratulations on your anniversary! I hope you and your DH have a lovely time. Red Velvet cake mmmmm . Hope your hubby can wrestle that big ol' turkey onto the grill! You'll have plenty of turkey for a month afterwards. Have fun swimming. It's warmed up here today, so you're probably enjoying some sunshine too. Yes, the scavenger hunt was with my British friends (and American friends too). I like going to teas, but they can throw me off my diet if I'm not careful. Oh no, we're not "proper" at all! You should see what a wild bunch we can be!

Judy - I hope you soon find a destressing routine that works for you. At bedtime I love to play my "ocean sounds" and "thunderstorm" dvd's. I spritz my pillow with lavender, read my Birds and Blooms magazine and my cares just float away (usually ).

I've been doing well so far calorie wise today. I made some chicken curry with tons of veggies for lunch today and it was delish. I had a good workout at Curves although my back is playing up a bit after all the yard work on the weekend. I have a few plants that need moving and I also want to put in some annuals. Got to make the most of this gorgeous weather!

NIKKI SUPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Your doing great all the way around wt. wise, health wise and school almost over and time to graduate! You should be swinging from the street lights! Yes it feels great to shop and have things fit better. My new skirt is a 12 I have been wearing a 10 or 12 lately. I might go back to see how the 10 fits and get the smaller size. I put on a shirt purchased last year it fits so much nicer now. I squeezed in a 15 min. walk yesterday at work walking to our other building. I have to go pick up a ck there today so hurray another sunny break from the desk. I am going to try to do this a few times a wk. I do feel good I haven't been following my SB but I think I will go back on the phase 1 for a few days the munches stress has gotten me a little. Marie way to go thats what I call a big bird! What kind of grill do you use for him??? I would love to try to grill a turkey let me know. Mothers Day we do a family get togethers at moms its yard work day for us. We should all thank our lucky stars gram is still with us all at 85 a little hard labor never hurt anyone. We plant her summer gardens etc. buy her plants to put in, rake and trim. It really is a great thing and nice to see almost everyone pitch in. Maybe I could grill a bird for the occassion? Happy Anniversary to you and the hubby. That is one tasty cake recipe I have it! Oh so good! Judy I picked up a Sopranos first series dvd the other day for $2.00 just cause it was a good price. Maybe I will put it on ebay? Just bought it because it was a good deal crazy huh? Yeah the cake was a little over the top. Way to go on grabbing something quick but still healthy. I ate shower left overs for dinner last night. I am going to take some of the yellow rice and mix it with fresh salsa for lunch today over a bed of lettuce. Few lime chips crunched in. Not too bad on cals.
Penny tea sounds so good I think I will make a cup today! Isn't it lovely to have a cup of tea? Yes the party was fun and I think everyone loved the theme and I was surprised to how many older folks enjoyed the mexican food. Fun to cook for people like that. On the lavender note Judy I have a body lotion and some nights I will rub it on my arms and neck before going to bed its so relaxing. Penny I forgot about the spray I have used that for my pillow in the past and have a big lavender candle near my bed. Better make use of it and lite it huh? Well girls got to go get ready for work soon. I think I am going to start at 7:45 today I want to get out a bit earlier today. Take care and it sounds like we are all very motivated and thats a super feeling Hey!

Penny- I am betting I will see a slight gain tomorrow too. However, as long as I lose about 13 or so I will be happy for my challenge.

Carol- 10 and 12's are great ! go you ! After I finish this thesis I will be swinging LOL. I have to make edits etc until Thursday morning. Once Thursday comes I will be relieved and sad at the same time. For a year all of my energy has been spent on this. Now I need to spend energy on getting a good job

Nikki

Nikki, I know you'll find a job that is exactly right for you. You're very well qualified (with the Masters). It's all stages - I remember being so glad (and relieved/depressed) about finishing my masters, the being glad about getting my first job (and the next, and the next) and now I wish I could just retire. But you're a bit younger so maybe you're not counting the days to retirement.

Judy, I think you should try the lavendar spritz on the pillow. I'd love to do that but I'm pretty sure my lungs would have a hissy fit. I agree with the others that you need to perfect the destressing for your health's sake. I hope the Lean Cuisine was okay for lunch. Just don't weigh in after one with all the sodium they load into frozen meals.

Carol, I love Mexican food but had NEVER had it growing up. My parents, especially my father, hated Mexican food so I never, ever had it. Wow, one bite and I was hooked. I'm glad that even the older folks liked the entrees - good thing my father didn't crash your shower.

Penny, I'm sorry but I met you, remember??? I can not visualize you wild. no way!!! And you mentioned Thunderstorm CD's and oh, I'd like that I love thunder and lightening. We rarely have any here although it currently is rumbling and I saw a lightening bolt on my way home. Truly that was the only GOOD part of my day.

I'm still working and it's nearly 8:00 in the evening. Luckily I'm working from home and if the power goes out because of the rare storm, I'll have to go back. Currently I'm resetting file ownership on the webserver and it's working as I surf here.

I did walk 1.4 miles and jogged .6 miles this morning. I also finally logged my food for Fri, Sat, Sun and Monday. I tried to over estimate since I knew I'd forget about everything I ate. I just wanted a relatively close idea for our challenge. Today, I'm totally logged so I'm back on track. No anniversary cake for me tonight. Beisdes I love my lite ice cream even more than the cake.
Marie

Marie the recipe I used that everyone said was really great was from Cooking Light. I got it free here on the net. Black bean chicken taco salad with the lime dressing. I am hooked on that dressing oh so good. And with the tomatoe season coming it will be one of my favorites throughout the summer. I am marinating some chicken breast in fresh lemon rind and juice with garlic etc. for grilling tonight with some fresh green beans. I had leftover tortilla lime chips and got into those last night few left I will take to work and they will be gone quickly for sure.
Nikki the job will come and then you will have completed the whole circle. I remember in 98 when I finished school and found this job that was almost 9 years ago. My professor said your ready get out there and start looking what are you waiting for. I was a bit nervous to leave the job I had for 10 years. But I never regretted going back to school and working hard for my degree. Its an accomplishment for sure I was 43 it was now or never with my hubbies illness it was something I knew was right. I remember my sister the older one saying why in the heck do you want to do that? Well glad I did my own thing and didn't listen to her. Good luck and someone will be very happy to get such a talented well rounded person. When you set your goals you make them happen.
Judy are you planted at home for a little while? Haven't heard of any trips coming up or did I miss something?
Penny hows it going? Are you feeling better with foot? Exercise is tough when we have an issue going on.
Time to get breakfast before work.

Hi Ladies-

Well my suspivion was confirmed. I had a 2lb blip on the scale this week after eating carbs. I go back on induction today and I am sure in a day or so the blip will be gone. I think I will also feel better. I have to go to school today to pick up my cap and gown. I cant believe I graduate next weekend.
Nikki