Good Morning

I hope we're all in a beachy mood today! I've been knitting for awhile trying to finish a project. The deer have been bouncing in and out of the yard which drives Bing crazy. I just peeked out again and didn't see anyone so I figure we'll head outside. It's warmish (42 degrees) and I hear snow is coming our direction.

I have the day off and we haven't planned much yet. It's our 19th anniversary so we'll probably head out to dinner this evening. Who knows? It's far too early for decisions.

What's on your agenda today? Stop by and say hi

Good Morning, Debbie. I'm beachy! It's colder here than there, but no snow predicted. Several places north of us got a good dusting Monday and Tuesday. brrrr!

Jenne, I tried not to cough on YOU!

Busy, busy week in the office this week. Today is Team -- where we review all open abuse cases with all the different agencies. Pizza for lunch. Friday is our annual Christmas Open House. LOTS of food porn, although I'm making SB-friendly broccoli cheese soup. Saturday, the real for real Santa is coming to the Children's Center. WooHoo!!! I'm going to have to be real wary of all the treats available for the next month...

Hi Michelle! I'm glad you're beachy! I tell ya, this is the season for making very careful choices because there is food and treats everywhere! Keep resisting!

I'm lucky at my work, because one of the cooks started a biggest loser 12 week challenge. It will cover all the holidays. The dishwasher now takes home a chef salad everyday, one cook is listing all sorts of healthy recipies to try and the owner (who says he is starving) is making healthy wraps. A week ago everyone was eating hash browns and chicken fried steaks. I didn't join in because it cost $60 and I knew I wouldn't win.

Good morning I'm enjoying coffee made with our one and only Black Friday purchase. Our coffee maker has been giving me trouble and Amazon had a great price on the newer version. No, it's not a keurig. To be honest I drink way too much coffee for that to be useful but my new machine does have a "hot water system" to heat water for single cups of tea or instant broth.

Debbie - Happy anniversary to you and Kirk! I was thinking of you last night. Julie's 2012 calendar is all New Mexico photos. I wish she had made it up to Taos with us.

Chel - Sounds like a dangerous office. Now you have me dreaming of broccoli cheese soup, yet another thing to add to the menu once we are back to normal fat dinners

A normal day around here - job applications this morning, then conference planning most of the day. I would love to just pick up either another contract or a part time something for the next 8-10 months. It's been great having so much flexibility.

For now I need to make a list for the day. Finding my desk needs to be task #1. What a mess! I blame the cats.

Happy Hump Day

Good morning everyone: Chelby, I hear you about the office being dangerous. It's "that time" at my office too. Our holiday party is next week, and really I will go off plan for that because it is just so extravagant (think huge delicious wedding buffet) but yesterday I had to resist red velvet cake in the conference room among other things. Did anyone see the Seinfeld episode where Elaine ate some of Wallis Simpson's wedding cake?

Lately we've been hearing of terrible news of people passing on - it's really wierd. First my husband's grandmother died 2 weeks ago, then a young prof. where I work passed, on Monday DH heard of a friend passing moments after giving birth to twins, and yesterday I found out a friend's mother had passed unexpectedly. The woman with whom I share my 10x10 office found out on Monday that her best friend's boyfriend had a massive heart attack (at 37) and was gone for 4 minutes and is now on "ice". I have honestly never heard so much bad news in such a short time.

Thankfully, we are all ok in my immediate family and I'm glad all my friends here are well too. Another day at work for me, and I'm happy I've been on plan all week. Hope everyone has a great day.

Happy Anniversary, Debbie! Enjoy your day off! I had a pretty Beachy day yesterday, until last night when I had a run-in with some fudge.

Chelby, I hope the worst of your cold is over. Sounds like the rest of your week is going to be busy, but lots of fun. And you just made me hungry for broccoli soup.

Cyndi, I drink A LOT of coffee, too, and my Keurig has no problem keeping up with me. I bought a little K-cup that I can fill with my own coffee so I won't have to buy those pricey K-cups all the time. Ruth enjoyed the coffee so much that she went out and bought one for herself. It does make incredible coffee.

Last night's rain was a carbon copy of last Tuesday, and I was relieved to finally get home. A car flipped over right in front of Cindy's driveway and had the road closed for several hours, but I managed to squeeze through so I could pick up the girls from school. Thank goodness no one was seriously hurt!
The skies are clear again this morning, and it's promising to be a nice day. Today is "Wednesday at Susie's", then I'm going to do some baking for a dinner party that C & R are hosting tomorrow night until it's time to pick up the girls and get them over to riding stables for their lessons. I should get home in time to roast up some delicata squash for my supper.

Good morning, Matilda. You snuck in while I was posting this. Sorry about all the sad news, and it does seem like it always comes in waves. Try not to go too overboard at those events! The party season is starting to gear up here, too.

Greetings from my laptop! I'm not at my desk this morning so I can sit with my leg elevated and wrapped in a heating pad. I talked with someone from the orthopedics office yesterday and the prescription is heat, stretching, wearing a calf sleeve (which I finally had to order online after trying many stores locally) and REST. No cardio all week. This is day 4 and I can't remember the last time I've gone this long not counting travel. When I get to the spa I will have to be careful and modify and wear my lovely calf sleeve. I keep thinking of all the calories I'm NOT burning this week!!

I'm not in any pain but am trying to do what is needed to heal fast and not injure it further. Really lousy timing before my big trip, usually filled with tons of exercise.

But, I will still go workout with my mom and trainer today and just not work my calf at all, same as Monday. We are skipping Friday because we fly out that day.

Cottage - I am resisting the Keurig Those refillable cups make it more appealing though. I am such a coffee snob. I wonder if my parents would like one. My Dad drinks coffee by the cup (as opposed to by the pot ), sometimes in the middle of the night. Hmmm
We had delicata "home fries" with our scrambled tofu. Must have been the night. It was our last one from the farm.

Wow! I slept until after seven this morning which very seldom happens. The dogs are still recovering from the kennel where they have to do guard duty all the time and bark if anyone arrives.

Happy Anniversary, Debbie. I hope the weather holds and you and Kirk can go out to celebrate.

Michelle, yes, 'tis the season of temptations and we have to be strong, I keep telling myself. Since I'm definitely a sugar addict, I try very hard not to have even a crumb. I am so glad the REAL SANTA is coming to see the children.

Cyndi, the problem with cats is that they can jump up onto your desk to mess it. I can't use my short-pants dogs as an excuse for mine which was pristine when I left for Linda's. I'm so glad to hear Julie is easing back into real life, even if it is work.

Mathilda, what a string of sad events but I'm glad your tribe is fine. Yes, I do remember that episode of Seinfeld - thanks for the fun memory.

Karen, I'm sure the calf sleeve will help. I wore a knee thingie for a while and it certainly helped. Of course, that was back in the days when I didn't miss going to the gym or even think about it. Take care and focus on healing.

Linda, stay away from that delicious fudge! I looked at the box many times when I was at your place and really had to stiffen my resistance muscle. One crumb and I'd have been a goner. Remember to keep the baking out of reach of those dogs.

Well, my appointment went well in the city yesterday ($3K earrings working properly) but the drive home was absolutely horrible as it was very dark and pouring rain with fog patches just to make life interesting. I really am having trouble with night driving and am going to start avoiding it.

Today, I have baking (the big grant cheque arrived!) and will take Jazz to pet therapy at the Clinic. Disney had a butt problem and is all shaved so will not be making a public appearance for a while. I'm putting diaper rash on her poor girlie parts. I also plan to do one Christmas today but am not sure what yet. Another Keuroffee will help. (Did I mention I now have a Keurig? )

Time to crank up my day after a late start. Happy Hump Day!

A bit late in the day, but I'm here.

Suffering through migraines yesterday and today. Yuk!

Love reading about food in the work place. Well, today at work they passed around a sign up sheet, (they are doing something different instead of just a holiday Pot Luck/Packer Party) You now also sign up to bring in a treat one day of the month. Why, I ask myself. When we have a Pot Luck, there is so much food and 85% of it is bad, bad, bad. So, why do we need treats everyday of the month on top of that.

Plus the real kicker, is I just had a new vending machine company come in, that offers healthy options for vending machines. It all, just goes out the window!

People are so use to food for comfort. Well, there is enough stress at work to make you eat almost anything. Sorry, for the ranting.

Hope everyone has a good evening, I am laying low till this migraine thing moves on.

It's just so easy to feed people (and to eat) pure junk. When I was in medical school, I rotated at the provincial cardiac surgery and cardiology centre, and was flabbergasted by the crap they served in the cafeteria to the staff, patient families, and to patients when they inevitably wandered down sick of their own trays. The daily specials were dishes like potato wedges topped with taco beef, sour cream, nacho cheese sauce, and bacon. Dis-gus-ting. I know people get up in arms about "losing their liberty to choose", but, seriously, there should be legislation against that crap.

Anyone here a member of TOPS (taking off pounds sensibly)? I'm thinking of checking out a local chapter, and curious as to what to expect and whether it could help support my SBD endeavor.