Good morning Lifers, soon-to-be Lifers and anyone lurking who would like to join us!

The weekend was pretty much non-existent for me--had a baby shower on Saturday and yesterday spent the day in a meeting for WW. We took a bus to/from our destination so I was gone from 7:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. so I didn't really get anything accomplished. Food wise I didn't do all that bad--could've been worse.

The weather today is sunny but cool so I'm planning on getting out over my lunch hour to walk. I need to move more!!!

So how was everyone's weekend?

Hi to Lala, Susan, Pam, Lisa, Austingal!!

Hi Melissa.

My weekend was very busy, just like the past few weeks. I went out with a few of my former colleagues for dinner on Friday. It was good to see them and catch up on the news. On Saturday I had my hair cut then spent the rest of the day and most of Sunday cleaning the house and packing. DH was to arrive home from a month in Italy last night. I offered him the house for November, allowing him to recover from the trip and make arrangements for December. I want the house in December; it's my favourite time of year and I would like to be able to decorate and be in familiar territory.

I feel like it's down to the crunch for us. We haven't had a serious conversation about our relationship for over six weeks. I know that it's good to let some time pass to allow clarity to set in, but I also know that the longer you spend apart, the better the chances of not being able to make it work. I'm not going to pressure him, but on the other hand, he's taking a chance that I won't be here when he's ready to talk.

The sessions with my counsellor have been excellent. I've been able to see my own personal issues for what they are. That's huge.

My eating has not been the best but under the circumstances, I have had to cut myself some slack. I'm back at my sister's house now and feel I can dedicate some time to both my eating and exercise routines. Both have suffered a great deal over the past month.

Hi to lala, Lisa, Pam and Austingal. How are y'all?

Hi! The weekend was busy. Went to an arts and crafts show on Saturday followed by shopping. On Sunday I was in a concert with my group and it was well-received. I think they'll ask us back in the spring. That night met with friends for dinner. I can't say that I've been good about eating--I've been a little out of control. The good things are that I'm at least thinking about the food, I'm exercising religiously, and I'm drinking my water.

Melissa, was the baby shower fun?

Susan, I can't believe your husband is back already. I'm glad your counselor is helping you--that's positive. I hope you two have a talk soon.

Hello, Austingal, lala and Pam.

Hi Ladies,

The weather continues to be quite nice and unseasonably warm..I'll take it!
Didn't do too much this weekend. Went clothes shopping on Saturday but didn't really find anything. Had my car washed waxed and detailed on Sunday..that took about 3 hours! Now I'm back at work counting down the hours til vacation

Melissa Sunday was a looong day for you. How did you like the WW meeting? I love to look at the gifts the mom's to be receive...things have changed so much since I had my kids! Hope you managed to get your walk in yesterday.

Susan good to hear from you! Sorry things are still stressful, I hope your sessions with the counsellor are helping. Don't let too much more time go by without talking to your DH about the future.

Lisa you had a busy weekend. Did you find anything at the craft show?

Hi to Lala.

Well ladies time to eat my lunch which is a bowl of minestrone soup. My plan for today is to stay away from the Halloween candy lurking around this office. Talk to you tomorrow.

Hi everyone,

Drive by right now. Busy week and busy weeks to follow. I'll check in at lunch!

lala

Pam, yes, I bought a door wreath and some small stocking stuffers. The prices were very reasonable.

lala, why are you so busy?

Hi! We've had some pretty hefty t'storms go through our area last night night and this morning and there's still a few hanging around. So, Pam I'm sure they're heading your way! The temps have hit 66 and from what the forecasters are saying theyr'e going to drop and tomorrow we could see some wet snow mixed in with the rain! One good thing is that it's not going to stay--the weekend forecast looks good.

Lisa: Yes, I had fun at the baby shower. There were only 7 of us there so we were able to talk. She got a lot of nice things. Another girl and I got her a Lands' End diaper bag. I still have the one I used for my son and use it for weekend trips. I haven't been all that good with food either but the past 2 days I've been more focused.

Susan: Wow, it seems like your DH had just left! You're right about the longer the space is in between talking the harder it will be--I hope you're able to get things worked out. Hopefully it will be sooner rather than later. You're right about cutting yourself some slack; better to be kind to yourself rather than to beat yourself up. Keep your chin up

Lala: Sounds like you're swamped! It's been really quiet here in the office so it's been making for long days!

Not too much else going on here--made some Pumpkin Bean Soup last night and froze it for lunches. I feel more focused and am trying to better plan my days and snacks in the evening. Last night I made SF hot cocoa with milk and had a piece of toast with pb. Can you tell I'm getting ready for winter? I was down .8 at today's WI so the scale is slowly moving down. I still have 4# to get to my "comfort" zone. Hope you're all doing well!!

Melissa, you are always so focused. Congrats on the loss. I'd be happy with any loss, but I'm just eating and eating and can't seem to stop. I'm working on a proposal and that doesn't help (right, lala?). Wet snow already?

Monday night, DH and I took a couples Pilates class together. He actually liked it. It was just the two of us and he did well. I'm a little sore today--always happens two days later. My triceps are sore.

Hi everyone

Its 9 pm and I'm just started on my homework for this Project Management class that I am taking that is intense. The test is tomorrow and I'm beat. I'm going to review the notes, read through the powerpoints and then call it art. I have a 7:30 am conference call with folks in MS and then class all day. We leave for London on friday and boy howdy, I can't wait. I think.

Great news -- DP passed her Ph D. Generals, she's now officially DP/Taller Half Ph C. I am soo proud.

eating is abysmal, life is stressful. I hate its dark.

Susan - I can't believe DH or just H? is back so soon. I'm glad you are going to counselling and by yourself too is also good. Self preservation is key here. Keep on coming here for support too.

Lisa -- I love the idea of a pilates couples class. I would be super sore everywhere.

Pam -- you deserve good weather after the rain. We have snow in the mountains. Yikes.

Melissa - You are the best WW I know. Can you post the soup recipe?

Okay ladies, back to cost estimating and project scoping. I"m hoping DP calls me soon.

lala

Good morning ladies! It was a balmy 68 yesterday and today it's a chilly 42 and windy! Brrr. At least the heat kicked on in our building so I'm not rubbing my hands together trying to stay warm!

Lisa: I try to stay focused--last night I over ate and went to bed with a belly ache. I ate the last of the tortilla chips so they're gone and I'm not buying more! I made a batch of popcorn and ate more than I should have.

Lala: Congrats to DP! I hate the fact that it's dark early too. I fell asleep on the couch early in the evening and went to bed by 10:15! Will you be able to enjoy the trip to London?

Here's the recipe:

Black Bean and Pumpkin Soup

3 (15-19 ounce) cans rinsed & drained black beans
1 (14 ½ ounce) can drained chopped tomatoes
1 tbs butter
2 medium chopped onions
3 cloves minced garlic
1/8 tsp salt
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
4 tsp cumin
4 ½ cups fat-free chicken broth
1 (16-ounce) can pumpkin
Reduced fat sour cream for garnish

1. In a blender, puree beans and tomatoes in several batches.

2. In a large pan, heat butter on medium. Add onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and cumin; cook 6 minutes or until onion is softened and light brown.

3. Stir in beans and tomato puree. Add broth and pumpkin; mix well. Simmer 30 minutes. Garnish with sour cream.

Adapted from Three Rivers Renaissance Cookbook IV; Child Health Association of Sewickley Inc.

Makes about 13 cups – 1 POINT

Per serving: 100 calories, 6 gr protein, 1 g fat, 0.6 g saturated fat, 21 g carbohydrate, 2 mg cholesterol, 633 mg sodium, 7 g fiber.

lala, congrats to DP!! What an accomplishment. What will she do in all her spare time?? Sorry about your class, it sounds like a tough one.

Melissa, your weather is so variable lately. We are still warm here, but the nights are in the low 60's (pleasant).

What are everyone's plans for the weekend? We're busy as usual. I'm having a head shot taken tomorrow morning. Then I have a hair appt. (I know it's backwards, that's scheduling). Then DH and I have another couples pilates class. On Saturday we have golf and then a play. On Sunday we have a volunteer appreciation tea at our church. Somewhere in there I need to clean the house, do grocery shopping and gardening.

Hi Ladies,

It is cold, cloudy and windy today but I don't care since I'm leaving tomorrow morning at 8:00 am for sunny Florida!
Just trying to wrap up some last minute "things" and then I'll go home and start packing.

Melissa that soup recipe sounds delish, I'm going to give it a try. The heat kicked on yesterday here too. It was actually so cold in the office yesterday morning I turned on my little space heater also.

Lala big congrats to DP what an accomplishment! Is London for business or pleasure or a little of both. Enjoy!

Lisa I'll wave as we're flying over Florida. Hope the weather stays nice.

Well ladies time to get back to work. Hope you have a nice weekend, I'll talk to you next Wednesday.