It's back to work Monday and it starts early and with an all day meeting Oh well, it's technically my last 5 day week of the summer (I'm leaving for NY at lunchtime on Friday so not 5 full days). I'm moving to 4 day weeks for the summer months and looking forward to an extra day in the garden every week (and maybe some Friday whale watches since DW also has most Fridays off).

Yesterday I got 4/5 smaller raised beds prepped and turned last year's new tomato patch into squash hills Now to buy some plants!

I'm all ready for Phase 1. Last night I made egg muffins and refried beans for easy breakfasts and I've got our dinners planned for the week. I need to tell my Mom I'm off fruit for the weekend though. She usually buys lots when I visit.

I'm off to the shower in search of my brain. Have a good Monday!

Good morning Cyndi! I hope your first day back at work goes smoothly.

I should really go back on phase 1 for a week or so, too. Stress makes me overeat, (well I guess I should say I let stress make me overeat... ) At any rate I've been chomping away from dawn til dusk lately or that's how it feels at least. On plan food, but too much of it. I don't like phase 1 foods enough to overeat them! But this isn't the week for that. I've got the end of the school year round of celebrations starting up and I need my fruit to keep me from overdoing cookies, ice cream, etc. This is my last day with the After School Program, but I'm using games to celebrate - not food. Hopefully we'll get outside. Today is another 'rain off and on' day for us.


Matilda, I thought you'd be starting up the thread for us today! Welcome back - I'm glad you had a good time in Texas.

Linda, I wonder how you're feeling this morning? I hope you've gotten the best of the pollen!

:hugs to the rest of you. Enjoy your Monday friends!

Hey guys,
Heidi, my alarm went off at 5:30 as usual, but I snoozed until 6:15. It's hard to get back into the groove! I'll exercise at lunch I guess. I just felt like sleep was more important this morning.

I wonder what happened at work while I was away...guess I'll get the update when I go in. I'm just psyched it's almost summer and I won't have to deal with homework anymore for two months! Also, I have a new weight loss inspiration - we got invited to go away for July 4 weekend to the Hamptons (this is actually our fourth year doing this) and I really want to weigh less when I go - specifically, my goal is 154 by July 1. So when Ruth posts the June weight loss goals, that's what I'll be striving for.

It's great to be back, ladies! Hope everyone has a great day.

Cyndi ~ You are brave on your first day back to work after vacation and going back on Phase 1 at the same time! It does make it easier, tho, when you have your meals all planned out and are prepared. I'm glad you were able to get some garden prepping done yesterday and hope you can get it planted soon. Have a super day!

Heidi ~ You must be as excited as the kids about the school year coming to and end and anticipating your long summer vacation. My allergies only acted up on Saturday, thank goodness, and I'm fine now.

Another day of on-again-off-again rain for us, too. It sure does wear on one's patience! I'm eager to get over to the farm and see the remodeling progress. When I left on Thursday, they were starting to put in the new winding staircase with two landings, and it looked amazing. The house is going to be a real showcase when all these renovations are finally completed. In the meantime, though, it sure is a trial to live with.
The girls' piano teacher is back from missionary work, so there'll be piano lessons after school today, which means I'll be getting home late this evening. I may end up making supper for the girls, come to think of it, since today is C & R's anniversary and they may have plans. I guess I'll find out when I get there.

Enjoy your Monday!

I'm just like your average preschooler - I have a lunch bag with my lunch, snacks and bottles of water. All I need now are pigtails

Good morning! Yes, here I still am, wide awake too early, despite no more school for my teen, no job to go to. Sigh. But I have all of you

Cyndi - How great that you get the shorter summer schedule. I eat those beans every day for breakfast!

Heidi - I will rarely overeat PH1 foods either. Except cheese. Sending you willpower thoughts for the week.

Matilda - Ooh - the Hamptons! Looks so lovely when I see it on TV.

Linda - Remodeling is such a hassle. And doesn't it seem to take longer than it should!

It will be a busy week for me getting ready for the grad party. Baking is mostly done except for some mini-cupcakes but I haven't started shopping for stuff like paper-goods yet. And now I have to finish my son's scrapbook with all the senior events. Must get cracking on that since it is taking over my dining room! The worst project: testing out the chocolate fountain I borrowed. Temptation and a big waste of chocolate.

My older son's friend flies back east today so I'll also have the guest room to clean in anticipation of relatives arriving soon.

Have a great day everyone.

Good morning.

Cyndi, sorry your week was so soggy but I'm glad you are back to a four-day week soon. I worked that for years and loved Fridays off although it was hard to cram five days into four.

Heidi, I know the Maine schools close earlier than ours do. When is the official last day? And do you have to make up for the snow days?

Matilda, welcome back. "almost summer"? When does your school officially clsoe. Your long weekend in the Hamptons sounds great. I picture you lying around a pool beside one of those gorgeous mansions.

Cottage, I have decided to try to ignore the rain. My only veggie garden will be the raised one this year unless a miracle happens. Rain is going to continue to happen daily around here to. I am trying to imagine the changes to the house at the Farm. I've gotta get back there to admire it.

Waisting Time, it sounds like your nickname is a misnomer! The grad party sure sounds like a ton of work. I am feeling queasy just thinking of a chocolate fountain but that's because it's early in the day. I'm sure you'll have all in readiness by the day and it will be lovely.

Jazz decided he was in affection deprivation at 3 last night and cried until I came downstairs. There was potty, a biscuit and then I let them both join me in bed. They were delighted and we snuggled tight in until 6:30. Dog heaven but I sure don't want them to get in the habit.

Today most places are closed in the cities but things are open around here because we are a tourist area. I may go and get some more plants for the Village plantings or take the day "off" and work on my own stuff. I pulled on my rubber boots yesterday and sloshed out to the veggie garden to do some planting in the raised bed. I hope to get some bean seeds in today.

Happy no-moan Monday!

Best of mornings to everyone! It was a weekend full of fresh air, and I am recovering from my fast food Saturday - yesterday was all on-plan and today will be as well. So far no major scale damage, so let's hope that extra water and really careful eating will keep the regain monster away.

My high school Ultimate teams both head to Pittsburgh this weekend, having made the State Championships. Not sure about my food plans for the weekend, including the 6 hours on the school bus each way. This could put the May weight loss plan in jeopardy. I have to see how many I was shooting for!

Here's hoping everyone continues to have an uncomplicated Monday!!
Be well -

A busy day here!!! I got great exercise in this morning and I'm off to a 4 hour meeting. I made a large salad which would be shareable since I hear they're serving pizza. Saw my friend at the club and she's bringing salad, too. I'm not the only one thinking healthy. I can ride my bike to this meeting so I'm off!

Hi everyone. I'm waiting on lunch at my program. BLTS and veggies.

Bella, mmmmmmm: blt's. I guess I could make one that was SBD friendly right with the lettuce as bread. OMG I may have to make that.

Speaking of bacon, Paula Deen made what looked to be the most incredible bacon-hack ever (warning: food porn alert) - dip the bacon in brown sugar mixed with chili powder, then bake in oven. OMG.

Hiiiiiiiiiiii everybody! Just wanted to pop in and say hello. I promise I've only been off plan for the last TWO weeks, not for however long I've been MIA.

It started with my birthday, and then last week turned into stress-eating-week, and now I'm mad at myself. But I'm back OP and hoping that half of what I gained is water weight.

Anyway just saying hi! Hope everyone's having a fabulous day!!!

Lisa

Matilda- I may see you at some point On Saturday I am moving back home to East Hampton, I have to drive but I am looking forward to being home though to be honest the worst part is summer when all of the "hamptonites" show up. I am glad to know that one of them (you) is a nice person who probably knows how to drive