Good morning all! It is going to be a busy one! I have two days to finish everything up before I go on vacation!

Good morning, Marcie and everyone else posting/about to post!

Not much to report here... BF and I have plans tonight, yay! I'm going to call the guy today and schedule an appointment to see the house (didn't get to it yesterday because I got busy).

There was a big old storm here last night at like 4 a.m. I usually like storms, but last night's got me all wound up and I couldn't go back to sleep. I finally fell back to sleep about 1/2 hour before my alarm went off. I'm a little sleepy today.

During the time I was trying to fall back to sleep, I decided that I have really got to get it together. I need to start doing things that I'm finding myself too lazy to do. For example, I used to wash my face and brush my teeth religiously every night before bed. Now, I'm too lazy (or tired) to care. I used to make my lunch and breakfast the night before, it usually happens but sometimes it doesn't. I need to set out my clothes the night before so i don't go through clothing insecurity when I'm running late (as I do every morning). There's just a lot of little things that I need to do to make a big difference, ya know?

So, that's what's going on here. Yesterday was an OP day, today is going to be one, too. I hope.

OK, must work now. I'll be back later(of course).

Good day Marcie and Jess! How are you both? I am tired again today. B'f and I watched "Brokedown Palace" yesterday for fun and were glad we didnt' watch it before we went. I saw it years ago but this was b/f's first time! We managed to stay up until 8pm without passing out from exhaustion. I woke up at 1am with severe stomach cramping. Forthe last 3 or 4 days in Thailand I had horrid stomach craps on and off throughout the day. I thought I was better but then I got them last night. And I only had tomatoe soup for dinner, so I don't think its what I ate. Anyway, I feel really run down and I am hoping I don't get the scary cough that is going around here. Another co-worker is out of the office again today.

Marcie -where are you going on vacation? I hate the pre-vacation crunch. Its inevitable and its draining, but at least if you get it all done you won't think of work while you are away! That is the best.....ah, sweet vacation. Seems so far away now!

Jess - when do you take possession of the house? I am a religious teeth/face person before bed too - but I am with you on getting the little thigns done. I used to do laundry thoughout the week so I didn't have huge amounts at the end of the week, and now I even wait 2 weeks sometimes and then feel all bogged down. And, especially for the weeks before my trip, I didn't find hte time to excersize.

Well I start Bellydancing on Monday with a friend of mine, so that will be a good way to get out of the house and get some excersize (that is fun at the same time).

I have to share some b/f stuff with you all now (for those of you who remember last year and our past this will be significant, others will think, yeah, so?). On vacation b/f talked more about hypotheticals, like getting a king-size bed if we have kids and dogs and stuff like that, and we also tried on engagment rings at the lapidary. He also saved my life in the ocean when I got caught in a current and couldnt' touch, the waves were coming in over my head and I didnt' have the strenght to swim out. this is mostly b/c of the strength I have lost with my rollerblading accident, but I'll get stronger again. Anyway, he came over and got me and carried me to shore. And also on the boat once, I was cold, and he stood in front of the a/c vent so I wouldn't get cold, and on the tuk tuks, three wheeled open taxis, he'd hold me up (even though I didn't need it, it was very cute) because they drive crazy and he didnt' want me to fall out. I think with him, its the little things he does that speaks volumes.

Hee hee~ it makes me all giddy thinking about it!!

Well, back to work, just cuz boss and only co-worker are away doesnt' mean I shouldn't get somework done (darn!) but I might skip lunch to go home early - I have to console my buddy today, as she lost her job while I was gone. I feel bad for her - she has had a really tough time finding a job after university (its been 3 years).....

Have a good OP day girls (I was acutally VERY OP yesterday, only at 25 points and I earned 2 activity, I was so proud...)....

Belle

Hey all, not much to report here. LOTS of sick people with a flu type bug. I just hope I don't get it. I am getting over a cold and that is all I want!!

Jess, I agree with getting a house. If you love it and it is in an area you know you want to stay in for a long time, go for it. Also look at it's re-sale potential for the future in case you may need to move... like is it in an attractive neighborhood, nice yard, good location!! I am so glad we aren't paying rent anymore. I knew that even if I didn't get married, I was going to buy myself a small house. More room and it's mine!!!! I hate dealing with landlords.

I know I should be doing work, but no motivation. And I am getting hungry ALL THE TIME!! Like really hungry. No nausea at all.

Oh and they are drywalling our basement and I am so excited. They said they would paint it for us too. After this week, all I need to do is get carpet and it is done. I can't believe it!!!

Not much time, but I wanted to say a few things...

Jen - Congratulations!!!

Marcie - Have a great, relaxing week off of work! I am so envious...

Jess - We had a storm here too, that woke me up in the middle of the night. I don't get much sleep anymore as it is, so I don't like being awakened! Hope you are feeling a bit more energetic now that you are up and about!

Belle - Welcome back!! Sounds like you had a great trip. It also sounds like things with BF have come a long way! I remember what you went thru last year. I am so happy for you that it is all working out!!

So, I am doing another 5K in 2 weeks - it will be my NINTH race of the year! (I've done a 10K, 8K, 3.5 mile race and (6) 5ks! - I guess you could say I am a bit obsessed! ) This one is with an organization from school, and I asked the cutie that sits next to me in class to run it with me! We have a lot in common so we already talk a lot; I just figured it was time to actually do something with him other than talk about football and drink after class!

I'm off to a meeting, but will try to write more later!

We are not going anywhere on vacation since I have class on Mon, and Matt has class on Tues, Wed, and Thur. We are going to the zoo one day, to the science center and art museum another day. Lunch and a movie one afternoon. Just a few things around town. We usually pick on home improvement project to do on vacations, but we have not done that yet.

Belle-
Your BF sounds like a keeper!!! I think mine is too...and we already have that king size bed!

Jen-
I can not wait until I can do some run/walks like those!! Maybe in by next spring or summer!

I went over on points yesterday, so I am having a low point day. Lots of low point salad and fruit.

Have a great day all!

Jess -STOP WHATEVER YOU ARE DOING - and call the guy about the house! That's an order missy!

Marcie - good luck getting everything done. I never mind the pre-vacation crunch but hate the post-vacation work pile up.

Belle - hope you are feeling better. When it comes to men, it is the little things they do (or don't do) for us that tell us the most.

JenL - glad your basement remodel is coming along so well.

JenK - tell us more about the cutie from school! Nice idea to ask him to run a race instead of going out for drinks.

Well, nothing new this morning for me. Can't have much of a life when you get up to work-out at 5AM, start your day job at 8AM and start your night job at 6PM. I'll be glad when the next two weeks are over because 1) I'll be on vacation! but 2) when I return I'll be done training at my night job and I should have a few evenings a week to have a life.

Laura

Hi everyone. Not much happening in my world today. I've been staying with my grandmother while her husband is out of town and my car is in the shop and I must say I truely dislike public transit. On every single bus or train I have been on there has been one or two annoying loundmouths who can't seem to keep their voice below shouting even though there's no noise to shout over. This morning it was the drunken roofers (on their way to work but have had 3 beer plus the beer in the bag and 2 Tim Horton's Coffee) - note to non-canadians - Tim's is a donut shop with strong coffee - I can't wait to get my car back.

Jess - I was so excited to hear about the house...guess I'll have to wait until tomorrow.

Marcie - I just booked one day off and I can't believe how much I'm looking forward to spending a day doing nothing. I hope you have a relaxing break.

Belle - Good for BF - I've now learned no to listen to the words but watch the actions and those are all so sweet!

Jen-L - What are you doing to your basement? Family room? Extra bedroom?

JenK - you are a running maniac - keep up the good work.

Laura - I know exactly how you feel cause I just got off my night job. Oh how I treasured my 20 minute nap between day and evening work.

Hi to everyone else around. I'll check in later.
KT

Marcie - well you are one step ahead of me!! Ha ha....it doesnt matter if you aren't going anywhere, you can still have a great relaxing (probably more relaxing than travelling actually) time at home! I hope you have internet at home and can still check in....

Laura - oh my god, you have a crazy life right now! I can relate. Make sure you take time for yourself though. You deserve a pat on the back for getting up at 5am. I can usually talk myself into it for like 3 week s and then I give up....its not a good thing. I just like to sleep and cuddle in the morning....its sad, but isn't the bed all the more cozyin the wee hours of morning? How do you do it?

Jen2 - woooooo - nine this year, that is amazing. You are my hero!! I think that is the most inspiring thing I have heard in a LONG TIME.

Hey, do any of you ever find you need to go back and read all your materials again to get "re-motivated"? I did that this morning and I found I had forgotten things like how what counts as a milk count, etc. And I feel much more "on" today as a result. Maybe that is one of the keys to success...?? Who knows....

BTW - I was going to tell you I let b/f take a pic of me in my swimsuit at an island and I got it developed and I will burn it. Its horrible. I look MUCH better in shorts lemme tell ya. I think I'll keep it as more motivation though....yikes

Also, I dont know if I mentioned my sisters baby is due anytime now.....she can deliver in the next 4 weeks...I am so excited!! My almost 4 year old neice is growing out of her brat stage too, so that is good - I really missed her on vacation. Its so nice to be an Auntie!! I think she'll be a good big sister.

Jen 1, that is what you have to look forward to with Emma - how old will she be when the new baby comes, about 2.5??

Where is Kim, Kier, Kirsty, Ali, Tonya etc lately?? And hello to everyone else. Must really get some work done, I have to write 2 newsletters by weeks end and I haven't researched them yet (oops)!

Adios amigos...

Belle

Hi KT - you know, funny you should mention Tim's - you don't realize how much you miss it til its gone...!! I am with you on public transit - hope your car is fixed soon!!!

KT... we are adding a HUGE family room, with an exercise area for me. Hubby even wired that area so I can hook a TV in if I want to. Then we are also adding a good sized room that is our office and my "studio". I like to call it that. That will eventually have glass french doors that open to the family room so I can watch Emma. We also have a space to put a bathroom that was partially plumbed (meaning the concrete has the holes) for a bathroom, we just didn't put that in yet. Hopefully next year we can add that. Hubby did the wiring, studding and insulation and now we hired a drywaller (who is related to hubby) to finish up. And yesterday he said he would paint it for us too. So then once this is done, all we need is carpet (and eventually doors). I am so excited. We had wanted this done 2 years ago, but money wasn't there. And I told hubby we couldn't have any more kids until we got more room. So this is GREAT!

Belle, yes Emma will be 2 1/2, almost exactly. She doesn't get the idea that mommy is having a baby. Maybe when the belly shows she will.

Belle - I didn't know your sister is having another baby... so is mine - she is due in 3 weeks!! My niece is almost 4 as well, just like your niece - I remembered that they were close to the same age. How ironic that they are both having their second child at the same time! Yes, being an Auntie is great!!

Oh yeah...that is weird actually! Julianna is 4 on Oct 29th and the new baby is due officially on Oct 10, but my sister was in the hospital on the weekend and they said anytime between now and Oct 10....I hope its at the end of sept personally. Although we have tickets to Great Big Sea (you Canadians should know them) on Sept 27th so I don' t want her to go into labour there!!

You will have to keep me posted on your new niece/nephew's arrival!!

BELLE... Emma's b-day is Oct. 29!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2 years old. She loves Minnie Mouse, so I am going to see if I can plan a MM party for her!

Auntie Belle - My sister is due on Oct. 10th too!!!! This is too weird!! (and we already know she is having a boy, so I will now have a niece and a nephew!) Sarah will be 4 in January. Keep me posted, too!!

Jen - I can't believe Emma is going to be 2 already!