<unlocking the door>

Hi everyone! Wake up! Coffee is on!

I had a great weekend--Made it through being on program! I banked 2 points on Saturday night; however, ate max yesterday!

Yesterday was a lay-around day for sure. Rain, rain, rain, 10 minutes of sunshine, more rain, rain, high wind, lots of rain, thunder, lightening, hail, lots of rain, rain...

I ate one of those new Weight Watchers Giant Sundaes last night--pretty good--the consistency of the ice cream is really thin though. In my opinion, a Skinny Cow is better...but its good for a change...and 8 oz. is a lot.

I also tried a new breakfast cereal this morning: Barbara's Puffins. One serving is 3/4 cup but for some reason I like measuring out full cups and I figured the points for a cup and its still ONE POINT FOR ONE CUP...now THIS CEREAL IS WORTH BUYING! It even tastes good dry...and THAT is the ultimate test for a cereal for me! I found it over where the Kashi cereals are in the cereal aisle. Anyway, this cereal is great! <thumbs up>

Pat, that storm you got made its way to us. I've always thought Brad Paisley has pretty eyes! I like his music. Have fun today at Hershey Park with the kids! You are going to be one tired woman tonight!

Joyce, Wow! You went down in size in pants! CONGRATULATIONS! THAT is wonderful! Are the fires still going in Colorado?

Christine, and a big congratulations to you also--losing 11 pounds is wonderful! Just stay focused on the day. You can do it!

Judy, hmmmm...seems I remember a young lady from Canada is coming to Virginia to visit her mom...hmmmm...who could that be?! Gettin' excited?

I'll check back in later...

....Pinkies I am beat. We didn't get home until after midnight last night...rather this morning. I had to turn around and go back to the camper cuz I was "chasing" a tornado...NOT on purpose I promise!!! Yes Judy I was rioght behind that Tornado that touched down in Bedford and was going the same direction so I decided that I would turn around and go back to our camper and wait awhile. No sense in messing with Mothe Nature !!

Well I have a lot of catching up to do and I will have to do it tonight. I'm gonna hop in the shower and try to wake up!!

Gail...thanks for opening up so early and the coffee...it was a great HELP this morning...anyone got any toothpicks????

Later....
emmy

Congratulations on the OP WEEKEND!! and banking those points..WHOOO HOOO!!!!

Now off to the ahower...that's gottta help some ...Right???


emmy

Emmy! A TORNADO?! <looking under the bar> No...not looking for a tornado...lookin' for those darn toothpicks! Here they are! <pushing the toothpicks across the counter> Now tell me...<leaning up against the bar>...did this tornado touch down? And how large was it? Could you see it even though it was night time...or did this occur earlier in the evening and y'all just waited it out? Weren't you scare in that camper? Sooooooo glad to hear you are safe!

And Judy, did you see any tornadoes yesterday evening?

<pouring another large coffee>

Good morning PINKIES

Another new day to make plans and stick to the program. I did very well at the b'day party yesterday. NO cake and NO ice cream for me! They even sent some cake home for hubby (two kinds of cake plus cupcakes). Last night I figured if I really wanted something sweet I would have a blue bunny fudge bar, but I ended up having some fresh strawberries instead. I had a hamburger with tomato, mustard and cheese, I figure this to be around 8 points, about a half cup of homemade mac&cheese and a handful of pretzels. I drank ice water (it was HOT out). And yes, Preston did help me eat slowly...I was chasing him away from the creek most of the time. This cousin of hubby's lives way out in the country, beautiful little log home with a creek right on the property. There were so many people (granny has contributed greatly to the human species) It was just so good to watch the kids run around, and yak with the other mothers and grandmothers in the family.

emmy So glad you were safe from the tornado. We were too...it didn't touch down in this area (Christiansburg) and even the bad storm missed us. It got as close as Blacksburg, but we saw on the weather channel where it didn't touch us at all. They said on the radio this morning that there were 10 injured (2 seriously). It showed some damaged homes and of course the trailer parks get the worst of it. Today it's warm, sunny and just a slight breeze.
Yes, the coffee is wonderful this morning isn't it? What flavor beans did you grind this weekend. I love to do the same thing. I have so many flavors in the cupboard already, I don't dare try anything else until I use these up. Hubby doesn't drink coffee at all, and he thinks I have some sort of infliction that makes me want to buy too much coffee and beans.

Gail Good for you for working the program...you're doing great!
So you didn't think too much of those sundaes huh? I really like the ice cream sandwiches and blue bunny fudge bars, so I guess I won't worry too much about finding those sundaes. I appreciate everybody's reviews, I think we all enjoy the same things.
Well, somehow my day counting must've gotten a little screwy. If we count today, she'll be here in two days.... tomorrow night!! Last night we picked up the new futon and George assembled it. We've managed to turn the dining/computer room into a nice little haven for her. There's cupboard/closet space for her, and a table, lamp etc. We ARE excited!

Joyce It won't be long now that the smaller size will fit you perfectly.
So you didn't care much for the movie 'AI'? The previews looked great when it first came out, but I haven't heard great things about it from anyone that's seen it. And Denzel Washington.... heard his performance in the movie was definitely worthy of the award, but he's just never been one of my favorite actors. Now gimme ANYthing with Mel Gibson in it, and it'll be a great movie. Love that Mmmmmmm-Mel.

Pat Glad you had a good time at the concert. I don't know the country stars very well anymore. Years ago I followed country music a little more. And I say whatever opportunity you get to watch them cute cowboys....yeehaw!

Christine I bet if you work the program and keep up the walking you've been doing you'll be able to fit into those jeans in another month or so! I realized last night (make some closet space for Sam) that I have quite a bit to wear for the summer... cuz it's all the same size I wore last year! I get so mad at myself sometimes.

Sharon Good morning!!

Well ladies...weighed myself this morning...the moment of truth... I stayed the same. I'm very thankful that I didn't gain any... but I'm so fed up with myself for not LOSING steadily. I chatted with my friend in MD yesterday. She's been on the program for 4 weeks now....she's lost a total of 16.6 pounds. She's working the program and LOVES it. She's doing aerobics 3 times a week. We had a really good heart to heart...she said she knows I can do it, she knows I have to WANT IT MORE. Thank goodness for friends and pink flamingoes that refuse to give up on us.

Okay...finished my coffee, gotta find something to wear to work. Oops, almost forgot I have to change the laundry loads over before I leave. I doubt I'll be able to check in from work, busy Monday expected. But I'll try to leave a note after supper.

Everyone have a GREAT OP day!

Good Morning

Me too, me too, OP weekend. Yeah for me I'm feeling in a silly mood this morning.

I saw that about all those tornados. DS lives about 100 miles west of where all that happened. Scary

Gail - The area that I've been hearing about is where Sandy lives. Do you ever hear from her? Hope everything is okay!!
I see you made it thru the weekend and actully even banked some. Good for you. We are on our way. For the last time...

emmy - I'm glad you had a place to go to so you didn't have to keep chasing that tornado. I've never been close to one but I've seen little ones that have dropped out under the clouds. Even those looked menacing.

I went closet shopping. Found some neat clothes that I'd been saving for a skinnier day. DH says that he wants me to feel good about myself. And he knows that better fitting clothes will help do the trick. My clothes are getting very baggy. So he says whenever I feel like I need to get something in a smaller size, do it. Just not TOO much because I have to save up for the next smaller size. I am feeling so much better than I was at the end of last year. Just needed to make myself do it.... and the feeling better followed along. Now have to work on the exercise. Anybody want to make a mild challenge ?? :sheep:

Good Morning Judy - You did great at that picnic. And glad you missed all the storms!! Me too, anything with Mel in it!!!! Has he got anything new out yet?? When DH brings movies home, I've learned that I can get a lot of work done. I just listen and if the movie gets better I can go sit and watch. But he didn't really like either of those either.
I know we can do this!!! It seems that we all go thru cycles where we do great then start getting a little lax and it catches up with us. And we have to get back on the wagon. And without our friends, I know it would be a lot harder to get back up on the wagon. I just wish I knew how to stay firmly glued to this wagon seat.

Good Morning PINKIES !

My mission today is to flush out my body with water. I've got 56 oz. of bottled water with me and I want that all in by quitting time! I went and tried on some new clothing yesterday but didn't have as much luck as our dear Joyce did. Left without anything.

Gail - What flavor is that cereal? Did you have some severe storms late last night. I thought our storms were headed your way.

Emmy - OMGosh. I'm glad you turned around and went back to stay out of harms way! When you go to camp what all do you have to pack to go with you? I'm still hauling bed clothing/pillows with me. Well not pillows anymore. I bought 4 new pillows yesterday and now they are getting put in the camper to stay for good. I'm tired of toting everything back and forth.

Judy - I need to look for all of my summer clothes yet. I have a sneaking suspiciou that it ain't gonna fit. Tomorrow night....WhoHoo! Sounds like you've got things ready for her arrival. I can envision Sam throwing herself into your arms and tears flying everywhere! <HUGS>

Joyce - Your hubby sounds like a real winner! Keep him.

Pat - I hope you took your coat with you tot he park!

Ok, work must get done. Still haven't heard anything from that blasted job interview...4 weeks ago tomorrow.

Christine, I ordered a pair of cropped pants from Chadwicks of Boston catalogue...and I ordered them the same size I'm wearing now because I know their clothes run small. I can get them zipped but they're tight. I'm saving them to try on when I lose 10 lbs. I'm sure they'll be more comfortable then--THAT will be my reward! So...we both have incentive to lose more weight. Oh yeah...we had severe storms last night--lots of thunder and lightening and hail even. Our satellite went out too for about 45 minutes. I was right in the middle of watching the movie, BLOW with Johnny Depp...right in the middle of a good part! Remember...no news is GOOD news...that's not long here at the university!

Joyce, you are really pumped this morning! Good for you! Its a great feeling getting through the weekend on program--I LOVE THIS FEELING OF BEING IN CONTROL OVER SOMETHING IN MY LIFE! Sorry...didn't mean to shout--got carried away! What kind of a challenge did you have in mind? And yes, I've been emailing with Sandi...she owes me an email come to think about it! She's busy taking care of her grandson.

Judy, CONGRATULATIONS to you for staying on program yesterday at the party--that is so difficult to do when you're surrounded by food and people. Temptation is so easy to give in to! I don't think I'll buy the sundaes again. I like their fudge bars--they're really good! Those are 2 points also. I thought that Sam was going to be staying with Granny? Those plans changed? The area you have set up for her sounds cozy! I'm sure she will be pleased. What time does her plane arrive tomorrow? Congrats to you for maintaining--YOU CAN DO THIS! I won't give up on you! NEVER. And congratulations to your friend too!

Have a wonderful OP day!

Gail - I'm going to walk a short amount of time - 15 min? every? day this week. Hoping that someone would join me so that I have some incentive to do it. I know you can't walk yet or is your ankle well enough yet? And I don't know that I can do it for more than that.
Yes, I am pumped, getting thru a weekend OP will do that for me. I saw some really cute cropped pants at Sears the other day. But I needed something I could wear to work. I don't know that I will ever be brave enough to show these legs off to the world. They are not just white but I've always had big calves. Family inheritance. Lucky me. Never could find high top boots that I could get on even in my few 'days' of skinniness back in BC "before children".

Sure is quiet here. Everyone must be really working away.

Wish you could send some of that rain out here. The big fire is 100% contained and they are cleaning up all the hot spots. But someone yesterday was mowing all the tall grass back on their property to prevent any fires. Some of them ended up on top of the riding mower and started a fire, at least that is what I heard. Burned about 65 acres and then they got it under control.

Later

Joyce, my ankle still feels a little weak and my foot still gets a little swollen at the end of the day; however, I am going to try and walk on the treadmill tonight for 20 minutes. I'm not going to do a program--I'm going to keep it flat instead of steadily inclining and declining. I'll let you know how I do in the morning, okay? We're supposed to get MORE rain this week! And buy you some of those cropped pants for the summer!

Gail - Thanks for getting me through the morning today. I know that quitting is NOT an option. So I'll just have to dig deep and rally all the motivation I can and move on. I'm betting you'll be in those pants till we meet on June 1st!

Joyce - I have large calf too. I think the crop pants are cute but for me if the pants leg would creep up it would never fall back to where it's suppose to be. Definietly cute though. Oh yea, really stopped in to tell you that I"m headed out for a walk. Not sure how long. Do you think that the crips clean air will clear my head?

Well, I went for a 15 minute walk. It takes that long for me to walk around the building I'm in. So I am going to try that everyday - only earlier before it gets so warm out. It's 65 now.

Maybe I ought to try out those cropped pants. I've seen some that are a little longer than some, maybe those would be okay.

Judy - 1 more day. Tuesday evening, right?

My niece is going to fly up to Anchorage in June. DS is going to drive down from Fairbanks to meet her. We're thinking of doing the same thing at the same time. That way she'll have somebody to hang out with while DS is working and our visit won't take so long. Takes a week just to drive one way. I hope we get to do it. Seems like every time we try to plan a big trip - DH's field work interfers.

Lunch calleth -

Just peeking in to see if there is anyone to visit with.

WORK=BLEH=YUCK

Can you tell I'm desperately in need of something interesting to do? I should have brought the afghan I'm working on. I need to get it done.

I think I'll fix me some ice tea. decaf - so I can count it as some more water.

I better get before I cause trouble