Good morning everyone!

Hope everyone had a great weekend and to those of you who are lucky enough to have today off, I hope you're enjoying it!

I've been trying to get rid of this sinus infection and it's really dragging on. I'm actually starting to feel better, just have a little bit of stuffiness. I'm working on trying to get my blood pressure down but so far it's been holding on and staying up (141/100). The dr. has me getting it checked and our health center is checking it for me. Anyway, I'm hoping to get it figured out. I go back to the dr. next Monday to follow up and to talk about what the next step is if it's not down.

I went out of town over the weekend and believe it or not I was actually at the low end of my points! That never happens. The bad part for me is that when I'm at the low end (18 pts) I don't lose. I'm trying to stay up a little today to give my system a boost.

It's a beautiful sunny day here albeit cold (19 this morning!) but the upside to this is that it is supposed to warm up.

Hope everyone is doing well!

Hi Melissa-
I'm at work today to make up for my gloriously lazy and sunny Friday I spent at home w/dog and cat.

I was heartened to hear you are feeling better Melissa, but it sounds like you are still not up to 100%. I hope that the bp stays low and the sinuses get better.

Sort of blah here, kind of in a funk. I'm overwhelmed at the amount of clutter and junk we have accumulated and the difficulty-ehem that some members of the household have with
detaching themselves from their possessions. Can anyone say
"driveway sale first sunny weekend in April?" I'm all for it this year -gack be gone.

Ate a moderate amount of food this weekend - but didn't exercise a stich. Feeling rather bad about it. Did get some foam blocks for
yoga at home, so that will help.

Looking to go to California this weekend to deal w/the house and get even more discouraged about the state of clutter in the southern homestead.

Other than that, at least the bleeding hearts are starting to show signs of life.

lala

Hi Melissa and lala and anyone else who's lurking cause they're too worn out from the weekend to post. I understand entirely.

Started this thread twice this morning, lost it both times and gave up, so I was thankful to see that Melissa got us going.

Weighed in on Friday and was up 1.4 - not unexpected. I stayed for the meeting and got a lot out of it so I've re-committed to attending at least two a month.

Great run outdoors yesterday with my sister - over 50 minutes. We attempted to run in our favourite park but had to give it up due to treacherous conditions - it rained hard on Saturday so where it was icy, much danger lurked... On the upside, I think the worst of winter is behind us, at least here on the East Coast.

Had a nice visit with the in-laws - too much food, but that's normal. We picked them up at the train station on Saturday and headed straight for the casino at FIL's insistence - I'll never understand the attraction that casinos hold for seniors. The rest of the weekend was spent watching the Olympics on TV and eating. Back to normal today... eating and watching the Olympics on TV...

Gee I hope your bp drops soon Melissa. Is there a history in your family? We're more on the low side, which I'm thankful for except when I get up too fast.

lala: I understand your frustration. I too live with someone who holds on to everything. Lately, he's dragging home all his toys from childhood - scrapbooks, GI Joe, lunar module models, etc. He's even miffed that he can't find his dinky toys. In a sense, I admire that deeply-held connection to the past. On the other hand, some "stuff" does outlive its earthly usefulness and I don't want it taking up space in my home. For example, he was completely insulted when I suggested he give away the knitted vests that his mom made for him when he was in high school - a million years ago. Duh!!

Gotta run. Hi to Laurel, Patch, kt, kena, myra, and anyone else I missed.

Hi everyone,
It sure is quiet here. Is everyone okay.

seesaw- I love your description of your husband and his childhood toys. In our case, its books and clothes from say, college. Yech. The childhood bedroom remains a shrine to 1968 and will remain that way forever.

So, in a better mood today which should make me a nicer lala to be around.

I'm going to hit the gym at lunch and do my 3 miles. No way in heck could I run 50 minutes straight. I am very impressed by seesaw.

Keep warm,
lala

Hi lala. I was gonna post this morning but realized that would be akin to talking to myself. Glad you're feeling better today.

I spoke too soon re the weather. We woke up to a bit of a storm this morning - no warning whatsoever. Schools were closed, but it stopped snowing around mid-morning and it's all over now 'cept for the shovelling. Since I will be preparing tonite for my sister's birthday dinner tomorrow, that will be up to DH.

Don't be too impressed by my run. It was my "long run" for the week, and that's always at a slow, slow pace, so 50 minutes wouldn't have added up to much in the distance department. It was just nice to get outside for a change.

How's the bp Melissa?

Seasaw: It depends on what you call history...my dad is a smoker and had his first heart attack at age 56 which resulted in triple bypass; my mom has high blood pressure but that didn't start until she turned 60. I go tomorrow morning again for another check so we'll see what's going on. My ob/gyn has had me stop my bc pills to see if that is part of the problem. It's weird because I do all the right things. Something is definitely going on. Usually my bp is low 120/78 area. I have a follow up with the doctor next Monday afternoon and we'll go from there. In the meantime I've been getting it checked.

Lala: I noticed the other day that my daffodils, tulips and other spring plants are popping up in the yard. I love seeing them bloom. Spring is not too far off although I'm sure we're in for some more nasty weather.

It was gorgeous here today although I didn't get the chance to get outside and take advantage of the weather and go for a walk. We had a speaker for a luncheon today and so I was there. Our at-work program is off and running and I've had a couple more gals sign up this week. It should prove to be successful. I'm handling the receptionist work so it's fun.

My #1 son is sick today with the same thing my younger one had last week with not being able to keep anything down. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn't affect the whole house. I'm spraying stuff with Lysol in hopes of killing the germs

Tomorrow is my meeting day and I'm looking forward to it. The boards have been so quiet lately--did everyone go on vacation???

I'll update everyone on the bp after my meeting tomorrow.

Hi guys. Just a quick note to check in. I've been rather "busy" lately... I finally got up the courage to change jobs. It was a very difficult move since I've been with my company (all four of us!) for almost 6 years. But, it's been time to move on for quite a while.

I've got myself a similar gig (I'm in Sales / straight commission) - but at least I can call my own hours and know the gals I'm working with have great personalities and have fun with it.

Anyhoo, time will tell...

Lala, Seasaw talking about clutter!, both my DH and I are clutterers and working from home this week, has sure opened up my eyes. I've GOT to organize myself and my work stuff. Yikes!

Hope everyone is feeling better. I've had the vestiges of this d-mn cold for two weeks now and I want it to Begone!!!

Hi everyone! I just had to check in and post my results from my meeting today....I'm doing the happy dance Last week I was up 2# and was upset since it was the week after my TOM and I generally lose a little...so this week I was really surprised when I lost 4#!!!! This brings me to my "comfort zone"....woohoo! Now, mind you, I never lose this kind of weight in one week so I'm still in "shock". Nonetheless, I'm happy!

I went for my bp check again this morning and it's still reading high (138/100) so I'm sure I'll be talking with the doctor on what I can do to get this lowered. It has been stressful at work and I'm thinking that part of the problem is that. I'm still stuffed up and the weather isn't helping at all--it's 55 today and the forecast is calling for a drop down into the 30's by the end of the week. The weather here has been crazy and everyone is walking around sneezing & coughing.

Hope everyone is doing well and getting healthy!

whooooo hoooooo melissa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

doing the happy dance for you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


miss patch- wow- a new job. That was so swift. I hope you are successful at sales as you are at motivating us. Maybe you should consider motivational speaking?

Anyhoo, you can buy me a taco at wahoos in March when I'm in LA for a week. Yikes.

So, like in PA, its lovely here today. While running around today, I craned my neck to look down a local ravine in search of the first skunk cabbage, but I think its too early still. They are my true sign of spring.

I am getting sort of caught up and getting more together here at work. I think fear (meeting in LA and other little commitments) are starting to be more concrete.

I leave tomorrow evening for a 36 hour trip to Berkeley. I'm bringing my running stuff and going to attack those monstrous hills.

Thanks for checking in Patch. I hope Laurel and kt are okay.

lala

Well, I'm finally able to connect to the internet at home. So, here I am working at home (this is brief time out). I keep running back and forth to the TV to watch the final women's hockey game at the Olympics.

This week has been pretty tough - I was travelling and out of the office for the last few days. I have a heck of a time with food when I'm not within my normal dull schedule. The last fews have been interesting - I have maintained really well but have not dropped the five pounds I was hoping for. I really need to pull up my socks as my father would say and just get it done. I'm 135 right now and really want to hit 130 for the summer. I have to make it happen!

Hey! Woo hoo!!!!!! We just won the gold medal! Very cool.

lala - Have a great trip - have fun running those hills!

Patch - A new job - congrats! I have been in sales and marketing for years and love it.

Melissa - Kudos to you! It must feel very good to be in your comfort zone.

Seasaw - What is up with the weather out there? It seems to be worse than the prairies - we have had an amazing February so far, everything is melting. Overall, this has been the best winter in a long, long time. We've only had one cold stretch so far.

Have a good weekend everyone - stay on track!

Kena

OK, don't want to alienate any of my American buddies, but WTG Canadian women's hockey players! Woohoo - the women have shown the men the path..but can they follow it??

kena: Have given up long ago trying to figure out the weather. In the east, we wait 5 minutes...things change. It's a beautiful, warm day today and the snow is disappearing before my eyes.

I have 4 or so extra pounds too as as result of really bad eating since Christmas. It's not like I don't know what to do - just i don't seem to be in the right frame of mind to JUST DO IT!

Melissa: You go girl. Amazing! Whatever you're doing, keep it up.

lala: I'm envious - running somewhere that is ice-free. Tackle a hill for me, and have a great trip.

patch: Whew - that was quick. I don't think I was even aware you were looking. Major congrats.

I saw Black Hawk Down last nite. I don't think I've ever seen a movie that affected me more - broke down sobbing on the way home. Really hard to watch, but everyone should.

Have a good weekend.

Hey guys once again this is gonna be a quickie.

I'm spending the week between homme and the new office and trying to sort through years of ratpacking - yikes!

Major congrats Melissa for your perseverance and weight loss.

Kena - I have fun with this gig too.

Lala - I've made reservations at Wahoos

Seasaw - we're having strange weather here too. Guys - it was 90 degrees yesterday and last week it was 50! My sinuses can't tell what's up!


Myra, LM and Katie - I know you're out there. Myra - I know ya know this... but these fluctuations are just part of the deal. G-d knows I haven't been perfect this week! And I'm not even brave enough to post my points. You get credit for that!

Ciao, Patch