Well here we are on September first and it feels like we didn't really get a summer Then again I do love the fall season and I am looking forward to leather jacket weather

Den- how is your DH's first week in High School going?

Squeak- I hope you are feeling better by Saturday

ellis be a dear and check in with us - we are all wondering how you are doing and if you are okay


BTW- there are only a few more days (4) left on our Labour day challenge. Is anyone interested in a Hallowee'n Challenge or a "Get Fit for Christmas Challenge"?

Also, is anyone interested in a daily food journal to help stay on track?

Yes, please! Get fit for Christmas sounds divine!

I'm doing okay, thanks, Mauvais. Just waiting for Dad to pop off. He's getting really ticked off because it's taking so long. And I hate to see him like this. However... there is much to be grateful for, and I know that the many prayers from other people are really getting us through this.

Hi Ladies!

I've been re-inspired as of September 1, so I'm very much interested in either a Halloweenie challenge or a take-december-hostage-and-don't-give-into-eating-to-stop-the-voices-that-tell-you-to-kill-that-holiday-muszak.
Did I mentioned I just *love* the holidays (she mutters sarcastically while grinding her teeth)?

I think my reinspiration came from the skinnydaily post. She mentioned that she didn't eat pies, cakes or cookies for the year that she was dieting because those things would be there when she was done. I thought - hey, I can do this for a year. It's only a year! I THOUGHT I had the Cute Boyfriend convinced to try "100 days" of dieting but when I asked him what he had for lunch he said, "McDonalds." I stared at him (with that, are you kidding glare) and he was all, "what? what?" When I reminded him, he smacked his forehead and said he completely forgot. uh-huh.

Ellis - I'm so sorry that you have to go through this. Lots of hugs for you. It's so hard when someone you love is sick.

Ok, well, I think I'm off to go swimming at the gym!

We've had a warm summer in Seattle, so I was happy to get some good ol' rain last week. Made me feel like snuggling in. Plus it means that in my part of town we get "our" beach back from all of the summer interlopers and sound-kit-laden cars and crotch-rocket motorcyclists! Ahhhh.

Yesterday I walked unexpectedly after a friend with PAWS asked me to see if I could find a reported beached seal pup. No luck (its mom had probably rescued it), but I did get a wonderful beach walk in. Then went back up onto the promenade for a more fast-paced return to my car. I'm going to keep an eye on the tides and make it a habit to go down at low tide. I think being able to walk half in sand and half on the pavement is a nice solution for me, as it breaks up the routine and gets me closer to nature. Plus, here, in the middle of Seattle, I was the ONLY PERSON ON THE ROCKY STRAND! I could look over, see the Space Needle, and it was just me, the herons and seagulls on the beach proper. Heaven. Plus I found a spectacular shell which, as far as I can tell, is called a Lewis' Moon Snail. Huge. About the size of a child's fist. I've grown up here and never seen a cool shell like this in the city.

Made cookies tonight (rare for me...and you'll see why!)--and ate about eight of them plus two cookies worth of dough. But gee, they're healthy : loaded with oat bran AND oatmeal (plus a few chocolate chips, raisins, pecans throughout). It was a new recipe...was in search of one to use up some old oat bran that had been kicking around. Very good. I'm sure all of the oat bran brought my cholesterol down by hundreds of points.

Mauxvais, you're one prolific gal today. I'm hopping on the books list next. Ellis, what a privilege to be by your dad's side in his final days. You take care...

I love this time of year! I’m getting a leather jacket this year too, mauvaisroux!

I’m maintaining my weight this fall, but I would absolutely join in on an exercise-challenge, eating-well-challenge, or get-fit-for-the-holidays-challenge!

ellis – so good to hear from you, I have been thinking about you and your family a lot lately. It sounds good that you all get some time together, but I’m sorry that your father is in pain.

LLS – I’ve been looking for tasty recipes on “almost healthy cookies”, and yours seem great. Could you please post the recipe here or in the Fab Food forum?

My days are getting busy with schoolwork, and I’ve had to rearrange my workouts – I now work out in the mornings, and lifting weights in the morning is actually working out quite well.
I’m maintaining weight and adding calories, and I’m still having problems eating enough protein. I so wish muscles were built by carbs!!!

WELL, my sons are doing well so far this year. Now that the year has started my 17 year old is settling in better. He dropped AP Biology, so is "only" taking AP European History (directed study), AP Statistics, AP English Comp, Journalistic Writing, German, and Choir. I don't know HOW he became such an organized person, because DH and I sure aren't!!! My 14 year old is doing GREAT so far!! The other night he got off the phone after 10 minutes, telling his friend, "I have to finish my homework." (!!!!!!) As some of you may remember, he is smart, but unmotivated and a procrastinator at times. He was also bullied a lot in middle school, and I just hope things are better for him in high school!!! We signed him up for Sylvan Learning Center's program to help him learn how to study. Sometimes he focuses on the wrong thing, and it really hurts his grade. Hopefully between that program and his improved outlook he will enjoy high school more than he did middle school. His doctor says that if everything goes well for him this year he might try taking him off the anxiety meds...SURE HOPE SO!!

OH! Can't remember if I mentioned it or not...DS17 got his hair cut, and then DH decided to do it too!!! DS17 had it down to his shoulder blades, and then last spring cut it to his shoulders. Now it is a regular short cut. Of course this was AFTER we got his senior pictures, so they are already outdated!!! I'm used to having the shortest hhair in the family, so this seems strange to me. Funniest reaction: MY PARENTS!! My Dad was always making cracks about how DS17 should get a "real haircut." WELL, after ds did it, he told my Mom, "I'd never tell him, but I kind of liked his long hair..."

Ellis-You are always in my thoughts sweetie. Hope that you and your family are coping as best you can. I'm glad that at least your Dad is aware and you can spend real time with him. XXOO

To all the rest of you alternachicks-HI!!! Sounds like you are all doing well, and I hope it continues that way!!!

Mauvais-How is the house hunting going?

Thank you Mauvais, Jessica, LLS, Mette and Den for your kind thoughts re: Dad. It's so good to have friends here. I have wonderful "real life friends" who are very nurturing, but coming here to get and give support is particularly special to me. Why should we care about someone we've never met? But we do, and I love that.

Den, that is SO funny about DS's hair! I love your Dad's comment.
And that's great news about your little one! (He's 14! Already!?!?)

Mette, I hope you find a great leather jacket! They are the coolest.
I'm coming back to join you with the weights as soon as Dad pops off. I have to get my life back in order. My health back in order.

LLS, I didn't realize that you're right on the coast! You lucky girl, you! I LOVE the ocean.
I'm with Mette... those cookies sound fantastic! I'd love the recipe, too, if you get a chance...

Oh, Goddess... MEN! All DH has to say to me is, "I'm going to the corner store. Do you want anything?" And I'm right back off plan.
I think the 100 days of dieting is a great idea! It's a mere three months... you can do it!

Last night Dad decided to stop eating and drinking, so we'll see how long he lasts. His pain is completely under control, so he's quite comfortable. He just wants to go, and I want whatever he wants.

Mauvais, listen to this... you know Notre Dame Basilica on Sussex? Well, Mom went there yesterday to pray. She stumbled up the steps and almost fell... she was crying for Dad. There was a woman at the door with programs who said to her, "It's two dollars to go in. We had to start charging because of all the tourists." My Mom (she's 79 years old), tears streaming down her face, looked at her incredulously and said, "But I just wanted to go in to pray!" The woman SMILED at her, and shook her head!
Mom naturally had money with her, but she was just DEVASTATED that she was being told to pay to pray! I'm so mad, I feel like killing someone.

That is ridiculous! I can't believe that ellis!

Even if that was the rule I would have let your mom go in for free if I had been that lady!

If I were you I would write them a letter of complaint, **** I want to write a letter to complain-what kind of church does that- no wonder I don't go to these things! In fact at this point I want to complain to the Pope himself! Grrrrr!!!!!

Your mom should try going to St. Anthony's, it is an Italian Church but I am sure they won't mind if you are not Italian. I used to go to there with my Italian friends when I was a kid and I am a Scottish Prod (by birth) so they will take in anyone

Thanks, Mauvais. I'm glad it's not just me... I'm thinking of writing a letter of complaint, but I have to cool off first.
Yeah, we'll all go to St. Anthony's together.
The first time I went in there, I thought it was tacky, but it's quite pretty. In a Catholic sort of way.

I used to go the school there

I just sent the basilica an e-mail.

Here is the address [email protected], now if only I had the Pope's e-mail address

Mauvais, I love you.
Thanks for the address, hon.

Per your requests, I've posted the Oat Bran Cookie recipe over in Fab Foods.

I felt kind of funny doing that....it isn't a "diet" recipe or anything...but it's not over the top either. Just real ingredients. Are things over there supposed to be dietary only? I mean, I wouldn't post a recipe for fettucine alfredo, but I do use butter, real sugar, etc. (I'm not a margarine, splenda/nutrasweet, diet-drink kinda gal).

So, shall I go ahead and post over there when something seems appropriate and just leave to ya'll to adapt per your own practices?

Let me know!

Sounds good Leanandstrong

Love you too ellis

Thanks, LLS!

Ellis, that story of your mom and the woman with programs really burns me up. How dare that woman - not very catholic thing to do.

In Westminister Abbey (London), they charge you admission to go in but if you go around to the back and ask to go in to pray, they'll let you in (the tourist stuff is in the front). Seems to me that any Catholic church would welcome people (visitors or not), since the numbers are so low. Of course, you could always shout "SANCTUARY!" And push past the woman in her $2 fee.