Good morning ladies,

Quick post as I slept through the alarm once again. I am so ready for a four-day weekend. I'm taking off on Friday, so this is my Thursday!

TOM finally arrived and relief from the month long bloat. And the scale is starting to dip back down. I didn't make it to WW WI last night but will go tomorrow night.

I've started doing some jogging when I'm out walking the dog now. We jog a block then walk and do that all the way around our route. Hope that helps break the scale=lock too.

It is such a tragedy about New Orleans and the gulf coast. Its bad enough about the damage but to have all the looting going on too. Human nature at its best I guess. Price of gas around here jumped 15 cents yesterday in one hour. For those of you who pray, that area definitely needs our prayers.

We have sold one of our mares, Tanyah. DH is delivering her to a trainer today while I'm at work. I know we needed to sell her for a long time but I love my animals. I just hope its to a good home where they don't beat her. I'm glad I won't be there because I would bawl. I probably will when I go out to the barn and she's not there anymore.

Kim - OOOOH, sandies! One of my favorite cookies. Are these like the Nabisco 100 calorie treats but just a different brand? about not letting DH use the mower. We have one of those self-propelled mower and you don't lollygag around behind it either - practically mow at a run.

Thin - Happy house hunting! Geez, making one choice is stressful enough but to have two! But helping them settle in will be fun too. How are you and Susie doing with motivating each other?

Judy - Afternoon munchies at work are one of my biggest challenges too. Fruit helps plus getting enough lunch so that I'm full. Walking away helps too!

Lilion - Sounds like a good plan for a new puppy. The house doesn't feel the same when the big dog isn't here either. A member of the family is missing. You'll soon fill that void.

I'm running late now so I better get to humping along for the day.

Have a good one!

The donut called. I'm not answering.

Terri: I love this. It's hard to let our critters go to new homes but sometimes ya gotta do it.

Thin: Whoa! Both boys looking for homes at once? Hang on to your couch or you may find it in another living room!.

Lilion: Housebreaking in the dead of Winter isn't fun but it can be done. I did it with Paige in 2003.

Kim: More 100 pt. treats. I'm going shopping.

I heard from a friend that lives on the north shore of Lake P. in Louisiana today. They evacuated to northern Miss. and will head home later in the week. She's hoping they weren't flooded but expects tree damage and the possibility of no power for 3 months. My prayers go out to her and for the multitudes of folks who do not know what tomorrow may bring.

Gotta go mop up the mud my loving dogs just tracked in.

Today we had to move my mom to a dedicated HOSPICE home. It's a cross between a hospital and a nursing home. It is for temporary care. They are saying the end is very near, two days at the most.

Moving her was the hardest thing I have ever done. I went all to pieces at the thought. The hospital she was in was about 5 miles from my house and right across the street from my office. I could run in and check on her before work, during lunch, after work, or any other time I felt like I need to see her. Now this place is about a 45 minute drive. I'm staying tonight, even though I didn't prepare for it. I have no close to sleep in, or to change into tomorrow, but at least I'll be near.

Barb.g

Barb,

I'm very sorry about your mom and the pain that you must be in. My heart breaks for you. You'll be in my prayers. Take care of you too. {{{{hugs}}}}}

Barb - My thoughts and prayers continue to be with you during this difficult time!! {{{HUGS}}}}

Lillion - I'm sorry about your dog.

Mary - Glad to hear you are safe and sound!

The devastation from the hurricane is heart-breaking. I don't know how Biloxi and New Orleans and the areas in between will ever recover. I was a teensy bit relieved that my family who's in the FL panhandle escaped this one. They had enough with Ivan and Dennis. I hope the rest of hurricane season passes quickly and quietly.

Hi to everyone else....no time for personals to all right now!

Yes, I am still painting......I only have a couple hours here and there so I am doing what I can. I hope to have the new guest room finished and put together by the end of the weekend. I have guests coming that need to stay in it the following week so I better get it done.

Have a great day....talk with you more soon.
Barb

Hi ladies. Hope everyone has a great Labor Day weekend. TOM showed up a week early, and I severely pulled my upper left quad muscle in water aerobics Tuesday night, and being the hard-head that I am, thought I could "walk" it off Wednesday with my three mile route. Well, needless to say, I didn't think I was going to make it home and it has been screaming at me ever since. So, I haven't exercised in two days, and I fell off program yesterday, but I will pick myself right back up and deal with no exercising. I have to let this heal as I am in a good deal of pain. The heating pad and I have become great friends.

On another note, I am so heartsick over what has happened in New Orleans and Mississippi. I can't watch the news stories about New Orleans without crying right along with those people. I just can't imagine, and it definitely makes you put things in perspective and makes you realize how fortunate and blessed me and my family truly are. Even my son, who is still at that hormonal alien stage, wants to donate his proceeds from his paper route money this month to the relief fund. I told him to go for it, and me and his dad would match whatever he puts in. My thoughts and prayers are with those affected by Katrina everyday.

Barbg - I am so sorry that you are going through this. Take it one day at a time, and I truly believe that your mom knows you are there with her. My thoughts and prayers continue to stay with you and your family.

I have to get back to work (been swamped lately), so I'm sorry I don't have time to respond to everyone, but will pop on this weekend and respond then. - Kim

My Mom passed from this life on Thursday 9/1 about 2:15 in the afternoon. We has the visitation tonight and it was one of the hardest things I've even been through. The funeral will be tomorrow. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers.

barb.g

Barbg you are in my prayers during this sad time.
May your Mother rest peacefully.

Barb, you will remain in my prayers. You were with her to the end, and you helped her let go in peace. God bless you.

Barbg - I am so sorry. You continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.

I found this article from Weight Watchers on MSN this morning and I thought I would share it with all of you, especially those of you that work outside the house. This includes me because even though I don't go to a specific location, I'm on the road all the time and the hints about lunch packing and where to park are reminders that I needed too.


Dieting on the Job
by Melissa Sperl for WeightWatchers.com

We probably don't need to tell you how tough it is to lose weight when you sit at a desk all day, five days a week. What's a dieter to do?

"Weight control is simply a mathematical equation," says Melinda Hemmelgarn, M.S., R.D., nutritionist at the University of Missouri. "To lose weight, you must burn more calories than you take in." If you sit at a desk all day, you're sedentary and more likely to snack, which may make it difficult to win the calorie contest.

9-to-5 diet strategies
The solution is to make the most of your desk's diet potential. We surveyed weight-loss experts and dieters who've done it. Here are the tricks they believe work best.

1. Snack wisely. "A lot of people snack while they sit at the computer," says Hemmelgarn. If you're one of them, be prepared. Keep healthy options handy so you don't rush off for an emergency visit to the vending machine. Bring fresh fruit, veggies and salsa to work. One dieter's smart suggestion: Keep snacks not at your desk, but stowed away in a file cabinet. Out of sight, out of mind. If that strategy doesn't work for you, only bring the amount you want to eat each day.

2. Drink up. As with healthy foods, keep enough water at your desk and you'll easily drink your six 8-ounces glasses by the end of the day. Keep a bottle or glass full of fresh water next to your computer at all times.

3. Plan lunch. "I eat half of my lunch at 11:30; then, when the mid-afternoon munchies hit, I eat the other half," suggests one dieter. Schedule your lunch to protect against cravings. Also, says Hemmelgarn, it's best to bring your lunch from home—that way, you can control your portions and keep track of exactly how many calories you consume.

4. Portion Patrol. In this age of "supersizing," prepacking your meals in containers will help you eat reasonable servings. "Get to know true serving sizes, and plan meals with that in mind," says Jean Anliker, director of the Nutrition Education Program at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. A good guide to follow: One ounce of meat is about the size of the average thumb, 2-3 ounces is about the size of a palm, and a cup of cereal or rice is about the size of a fist.

5. Move! "Even if it's just 10 minutes of exercise at a time," says Leanne Wagner, a certified personal trainer in Los Angeles, "get up and move whenever possible." Here are some ideas:

Eat your lunch at a park a few blocks away, and walk there instead of driving.
Walk to a colleague's desk rather than e-mailing or calling.
Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
Park as far away from the front door as possible.
Include exercise breaks in your calendar. Treat them just as you would any other appointment—you have to be there!
Place your wastepaper basket far away from your desk so you'll have to move to throw away garbage.
Place your phone out of reach so you'll have to stretch or even get up to answer it.
6. Exercise during off hours. Get in exercise before and after work to offset all that sedentary time at your computer. "If you don't live too far, think about walking to work," suggests Wagner. "And if that's not possible, instead of spending an extra hour sitting in traffic, find a gym near your office and go there instead. Once you're done exercising, rush hour will be over and you'll still be home at the same time."

7. Work out with friends. Get your co-workers in on the weight-loss game. That way, you can encourage each other throughout the day, have healthy lunches together and exercise together on breaks. Try organizing an at-work exercise or diet group. See if your company is willing to give you space and even funds for equipment (mats, weights, etc.).

Hope you're all having a nice holiday weekend. I'll be back later when I have more time.

Happy Labor Day, everyone!

Hope you're all going to have a relaxing holiday. You girls that are not in the USA take the day off too, ya hear!

Does anyone have special plans? We're having about a dozen friends and family over for a BBQ in the afternoon. Fun!

My #1 Son gets to make his announcement that he bought his first house. We're all pretty excited for him. Not excited that he's moving out, but excited for the whole experience. He's 26 and I'm glad that he has saved to buy rather than rent. My kiddo's growing up.

Good morning ladies, how is everybody on this Labor Day? I am still maintaining my 5 lb. loss, but today may be hard!

Thin, We have no special plans other than painting. That is what I have been into all last week. Tired, but feeling as if I had accomplished something! When I look at all the fresh paint and how clean everything looks, I think it is worth the sweat. (and sometimes swearing ) Did you know that if you step on a paint lid you can make a great foot impression on your carpet? That was not me, that was hubby. At least he got it cleaned off.

Barbg, You have my deepest sympathy. I know how hard this is for you.

I haven't been good about posting this last week, but I will try to do better. I see I am not the only one that is missing though. I guess everybody is busy?

I know I am not replying to everyone this morning, but I promise to get back to all of you....soon. See ya later! Iwillbe....Ruth

Hi Ladies

I'm staying home and doing as little as possible. Food's been pretty good.

Thin, I loved the Dieting on the Job article. I'm printing it out.

Yesterday I had one of the pointers in the dog bathtup in the basement and the small pump that pumps the water up to the pipes from the tup didn't kick on - it just overflowed onto the floor. I ended up mopping water into the "sump pump" drain. Gross! Don't know what happened but we found the pump's circuit breaker had cut out. It's working ok now. Phew!