Good morning!

Had a pretty quiet weekend and was able to get some things done around the house. I decluttered the counter and removed 2 baskets that tend to collect things so it makes the counter look bare! I'm not complaining though it looks great!

Saturday did some errands and went to a store that features lots of produce and stocked up on tomatoes, peppers, onions, avacados, etc. and I put them in a bowl on my kitchen table--I love the bright colors! DH and I went to a boat house party on Saturday evening and had a great time--ended up staying there 5 hours. They had a bonfire in the evening and we sat around talking to some friends we hadn't seen in years. Funny how paths cross over the years.

Yesterday I did a little house stuff and relaxed a little. Today it's been fairly quiet and I'm not complaining too much on that end. Sometimes the afternoon can get a little crazy with orientation stuff but we'll see if it happens.

So how was everyone's weekend?

Hi to Lala, Susan, Pam, Austingal, Lisa, Julie and anyone else lurking

Hi, Melissa. Visited my parents over the weekend and did not eat the right things!!! We went to this great Italian restaurant and I had cavatelli. I didn't eat the whole plate though, took some home. I did exercise. Went shopping with my sister and found some good deals. DH and I drove home in a terrible rain storm. We had to pull off the Interstate because we couldn't see. Then we got back on and drove in horrible rain for about 30 miles. Of course when we got home, it was as dry as a bone. Go figure.

It should be quiet this week. I hope to get some decluttering done (you inspired me, Melissa).

Melissa, the party sounded like fun. Isn't it great when you run into an old friend. DH and I have found that you just pick up where you left off.

Hello to all lifers!

Hi everyone.

Melissa - good for you and the decluttering. I'm thinking your bowl of veggies screams for guacamole and pork or chicken tacos.

Yum.

Party sounded fun too, I love bonfires.

Lisa - sounds like your weekend was good as well. The East is being slammed with terrible weather again and yes, it is amazing how isolated it can be.

Do you guys need the rain?

Nothing much to report here. Had a busy weekend, Ernest was a brat on Friday, Saturday and Sunday he was much better. We went to the other gay pride on Saturday and he was scared on the motorcycles (I was too), got lots of love, watched a movie in the park, met two big dogs and got to go on a ferry ride.

DP is in Portland until Tuesday night where its nearly 100 degrees. We're just sweltering at 90. I'm going to take Ernest home at noon.

I had an atrocious eating day yesterday. I am giving myself a big fat X and it really wasn't too bad. I think I'm sabotaging myself.

I did weigh in and I'm up .6, which I'm happy with, its my TOM, two trips and a salty dinner, I'm happy.

Strange.

Okay, must be off to get my travel sorted out.

I'll be back.

Hi to Susan, Pam, Julie and everyone else!

lala

Hi all. Horrid weekend weather wise here. It rained so hard Saturday & Sunday as to be almost unbelievable. The only up-side was there was little or no wind, so it wasn't raining sideways like it normally does.

Because of the weather, I did get things done around the house. Exercised too. Got out for a run before the rain hit on Saturday morning. It was a tough, tough run because the air was so moisture-laden. On Friday & Sunday, I went to the gym for strength training. Am starting to like it quite a bit.

Time to get serious with myself about this night time eating. It is really out of control. The rest of the day? No problem, and that's not to say that I'm starving myself - just eating healthily and normally. I am going to shake things up, starting right now. I also dug out a dress that I want to wear in Australia and hung it on my bedroom door where I can see it all the time. If I lose 5 lbs, it will look OK. Ten, and it will be smashing. Guess what I'm aiming for??

Melissa: I love bonfires too. Of course, it would be impossible to start one in this part of the world right now.

lala: Don't you just love it when puppies lose it and act the part? I saw Eight Below yesterday. A little far fetched in places but still a feel-good movie.

Lisa: Sounds like we had the same kind of weekend weather. It's not fun to drive in, is it?

Hi to Pam, Julie.

Susan

Susan --

The dress will look divine!

Ack, its hot. I took Ernesto home early and am leaving now because he has been in lockdown for the last four hours.

I made tabouli on Saturday night. Very yummy for lunch today.

see youse all later.

lala

The rains have arrived here. Last night after work I could barely see the road again. Made a shrimp stirfry last night and it was okay--shrimp were fishy.

lala, you have had unseasonably warm weather. I like tabouli.

Susan, you have had wicked weather. The dress should give you some incentive to stick to your plan.

Not much going on here this week.

Hello Melissa, Lisa, Lala and Susan and everyone else
My week is going so/so. I still have the neck/head pain and my Doctor is sending me to a neurosurgeon for a consult. She has tried everything and with my history of migraines she wants to get me somewhere to find out why I am having the pain and neck spasms.

I WI this morning and was down 0.2 - That was really good since I didn't think I was doing very well last week. I received my lifetime membership today at WW meeting. That made me feel really good. I do want to work and get down some more (since my Dr wrote me a higher weight) I was to strive for that WW goal for my height.
We are going camping this weekend - making it a long weekend with the Tuesday Holiday and took Monday as vacation. We are going to the Mochican area here in Ohio - hopefully these rains we are having here will settle down - everything is so wet and some things still flooded.
I love camping and sitting around the fire - it is so relaxing - maybe that is what I need right now!
Have a great everyone - and if I dont get back on line a safe and healthy 4th of Jult

HI Ladies,

The weekend was a washout (what else is new) just a lot of rain. Yesterday, DH and I decided to skip work and go to Boston to see a Red Sox game. It took 12 innings, but the Sox were able to defeat the Phillies. The skies were overcast so I was thinking I wouldn't need sunscreen but I've got a nice little sunburn on my arms and neck today...ouch.
Back to work today, I've got Friday off and next Monday so a little mini vacation that is much needed.

Melissa I plan on doing a little decluttering myself while I'm home. It really needs it.

Lala I bet Ernest gets a lot of "love" when he is out and about. He's so cute. How does he tolerate the high temps you've been having?

Susan My eating has been out of control and the scale is reflecting it. Back to journaling regularly and I'm starting a Yoga class today.

Lisa I hope the rains stay in Florida for awhile, we've had enough.

Julie Big congrats on making Lifetime. Enjoy camping this weekend.

Hi Everyone,

Julie - Congrats! Whoo hoo! Brava on making LT!

As for the camping, I hope it dries out and have a marshmallow for me, k?

Keeping my fingers crossed that the neurosurgeon visit is short and there will be no follow up with him/her and that they get to the bottom of this.

Lisa -- ick on the fishy shrimp. I should post my taboulli recipe. I think tonight its going to be pesto as I have two huge bunches of basil and some walnuts. Of course, we have no garlic at home, so I'll pick some up before my mani at lunch.

Pam - Cool on the game, bummer on the sunburn. Its amazing how much sun filters through the overcast. I'm also thinking of taking Monday off and having four glorious days at home without going anywhere.

Ernest does get love, but he does not do well with the heat. He flat basseted in the lawn after peeing this morning. That was fine, I was able to water while he looked pitiful. He's in lock down now at home.

I had a bad night last night. I had two skinny cows for dinner, followed by a chocolate covered banana and some ground turkey breast meat. I think I was over my points by 8 and that was just wierd, like sabotage.

Hmm. I wonder why?

Okay, must split and make a powerpoint on my new goals and priorities for data management for our program. What a thrill.

Hi to Melissa and Susan!

lala

Woo-hoo, Julie!! That is great. Don't worry, you'll continue to lose. I did the same thing. The WW goal was all right, but I wanted to continue to lose. Enjoy camping and I hope the Dr. finds out what is going on with your neck. I have a GF who has very similar problems. I think she has some degenerative disks in her neck.

Pam, yep, one of the worst sunburns I've had as an adult happened on an overcast day. You have had a lot of rain; we still need more. Enjoy your yoga class. I took a class once and didn't care for it. I prefer Pilates.

Hello to Melissa, Susan, lala.

Hi ladies!

It's been raining here off and on since Sunday--woke up at 5 a.m. to t'storms. The air feels heavy from the humidity--not very pleasant at all. The forecast doesn't look too promising--tomorrow we may see a little sun in the morning but the rain is supposed to return in the afternoon.

Lisa: I've been in FL when the rains have been so bad you can't see--it's no picnic! Glad someone is enjoying a quiet week

Susan: I'm the same way when it comes to eating--I do well all day long and then evening hits and it's bad. I do have to say since I've been being more mindful about having more at breakfast/lunch I haven't been eating in the evening like I was before. Pulling the dress out where you can see it will be good incentive for you--you'll get the 5# off!

Lala: Wow! It sounds like you're having some unseasonably warm weather--we're experiencing rainy weather here and usually we're getting more sun. *sigh* I guess it could be worse. So, is Ernest behaving himself these days? A leader I work with is getting 2 sharpei puppies this weekend--life will be crazy for her until they get adjusted. She's taking a week off of work to start but we'll see how things go. I can't imagine having 2 pupppies at the same time! So you had a bad night last night...tonight you can be OP and feel good...we all get those curves and can't figure out why we take them when we know it's not going to help us.

Pam: It's been really soggy here and no real end in sight. Like Lisa, some of my worst sunburns came from overcast days. My boss is taking off Thursday-Friday & Monday so I'll be holding down the fort here at work.

Julie: Congratulations on getting Lifetime!!! A lot of members go a little lower than their goal weight once they reach lifetime. Keep up the great work! Sounds like a nice weekend away--I hope the rains stop and you're able to enjoy the weekend! Hopefully the neurosurgeon can find out what's causing your neck pain.

Not a whole lot else going on here--DH and I will be going out to celebrate our birthdays. I told him I wanted an MP3 player to walk with or else some beach glass jewelry. We are trying to coordinate dinner out with another couple so it's something to look forward to.

I'm actually getting a bit of a breather here in between sessions so that's a good thing--it's nice to have a quieter day.

Melissa I forgot to wish you a happy birthday. I hope you enjoy your dinner out.

Lisa I may try Pilates too and see which one I prefer. There is a class at the Y we go to that is at a convenient time.

lala I am still laughing over your "flat basset" comment, I can just picture it

Melissa, Happy Birthday. Sea glass jewelry is pretty. Do you prefer the green or the blue? I like them both together! : )

Pam, Pilates is really great for strength and toning. I go to a certified instructor who went to Colorado to get that certification at a special Pilates institute. She is very good.

We had bad storms again yesterday. How strange it has been--we were so dry and now the ponds and ditches are full again. The lightning has been especially bad--several homes have caught on fire.

Lisa: I like the blue and green together too...there are some really pretty colors--I have cobalt blue and a light aqua color. They have some gorgeous jewelry.

For anyone interested this is the web site for Relish, Inc. a unique beach glass jewelry store. These ladies do a great job and they're really personable! www.relishinc.com

The sun is shining this morning but it's still humid out--rain is supposed to make another appearance this afternoon. I'm hoping it holds off until after I get back from my WW meeting.

The pictures from DC are something else--I can't imagine getting that much rain over such a short period of time.

Melissa, that is some nice jewelry. I'm so surprised that they still find beach glass. When I was growing up, we frequently went to Lake Erie and I always found glass, but since plastic bottles came about there hasn't been as much. Yes, D.C. was hit very hard.

I'm supposed to get off work on Friday at 4:30 and I just received a meeting notice for 4:30--Hey!!