Kathy, that is SO funny! I've done the shoe thing before myself. I often buy the same shoe in different colors.

Hi everyone! I know I'm behind and I'm a bad friend, but I'm at work and just saying hello. I'm very behind after being off yesterday and there is so much to do. I feel really overwhelmed by work right now!
I hope that you all have great op days. It sounds like everyone is off to a determined start!
I'll talk to you all later...:sunny:

Hey, does anyone have any ideas for a low-sodium supper? I was thinking about cornmeal chicken, but I use seasoned salt...then stir-fry, but the soy sauce...maybe I should just have beans and rice? But that may bloat me...I need to be as bloat-free as possible for the BL weigh-in tomorrow!

Kathy, I bet your jeans found my glasses! Are your shoes making a hit at work? We had thunder storm here last night and another one will probably come tonight as humidex warning is on.

Vickie, yesterday sounded grand. Sounds like you are seriously staying on core, bravo! It's so nice to have family cose by for these gatherings. Spoke to dil in Kitchener yesterday, and she's looking forward to our "family" gatherings, which makes me so happy. Those are life's real pleasures.

Frouf, glad to hear that Emily heard your cries for a clean room. A little is better than nothing. My guys were never big on tidy, and now are actually very helpful around the house. The kids in Kitchener haven't sold yet, so showings create mass team cleaning. Congrats on ds's award. Did he go to Borden?

Sandra, so glad that you had a good time yesterday. Your shining personality would bring delight to any gathering. How's your eating today? You've done well kiddo, keep it up.

Patti, I find that mixing it up, really helps to keep the core thing going. I'm going to post a fantastic crock pot roast recipe. It was so easy, and so good. Sounds like the jewellry party was fun.

Rose, my sis said that the black flies were muder at the cottage on Saturday. I guess they'll be around for a while. What are you doing to keep cool?

Angela, sounds like you're ready to jump back into core. That's what I like about it, you can climb back on whenever you want.

Melissa, how's the house organizing going? You must be so glad to be getting settled.

Okay, better run now, have a great day,:)

Melissa, how about cola chicken? It's more sweet than salty.

Hi everyone, I am also behind, ended going to MIL for a barbeque yesterday, so I was out of the house all weekend. I have to pick up ds from school at 2pm to take him for his last x ray for his wrist, then hopefully the doctor will allow him to bowl today, he missed alot of weeks on his bowling league and is looking forward to going back. I should have some time when I get back to catch up since I have a chicken cooking in the crockpot already.

I went to WW on Monday to get weighed in and I lost 1/2 lb, which is OK, I am happy the 8 lbs I lost last week stayed off.

Hey clown-shoes Kathy? How's it going (I too have been there done that - one black and one navy blue pump on a day when we were hosting a foreign delegation - tried to keep my feet well hidden - ha ha ha). I think it's Shaun that took your capris in my opinion (it was shaun in the library with the rope). Better check his room too :)

How is Judd doing? What did the dr say?

Sounds like the grilling memorial day fun was a hit w/everybody? I felt awful last night after the pizza by the way - I am now 'officially' turned off by it! My tummy was protesting all night long - did not sleep well either. Sorry you had a bad night Vickie - any chance of a nap today?

Angela - we know you can do it - back on track and the treadmill idea sounds great! Keep us posted on your progress.

Niki - hope ds' wrist gets the green light for bowling! He must be missing it.

Melissa - I also vote for cola chicken - speaking of which dh bought some boneless/skinless breasts the other day (they were on sale) and now I know what I shall do with them (have not had cola chicken in ages!).

As Saundra mentioned we had a rip-roaring thunder and lightning storm last night - quite exciting - and lights were flashing. It is still SUPREMELY hot and humid today (I think we are supposed to break some sort of a record?) and more thunderstorms expected later (like hopefully AFTER I get home please?)

So now as acting manager I have to meet with a team member, who is a good work friend too and tell her her job was NOT reclassified so no acting pay, etc! Yup I get to do the dirty work - this is the part of the job I really don't like! My director asked if I felt comfortable doing this and I said of course - if this is part of the managerial duties then I shall carry them out to the best of my abilities.

Yes dd's room is clean - at least it was last night - I suspect it shall not look the same in the next 24 hours? Patti - she actually keeps the door shut a lot on her own - as she realizes the less I see the less I have to complain about - ha ha ha. Brought dance pics in - but don't think we have a scanner connected (since our move to new offices?) - will scan them if I can! Need to buy frames - altho I am running out of display space at home? I guess I need to start hanging them as most 'surfaces' are already pretty busy with kids' pics!!!

Yes I had a doughnut from the box someone brought in this morning - very bad froufie - but at least no more pizza! :D

hi, chickies. today's a new beginning for me. we take one set of relatives to the airport and have others driving in tonight. we're not used to all this socializing. yesterday's festivities went great. my mil could not have been nicer. life is good. oh, yes! the spinach dip was the hit of the party. i highly recommend it.

vickie, sounds like you had a good time at your gathering, too. my nightmares are about teaching wild bunches. lol guess we all have our fears. the recipe i used for the dip called for waterchestnuts but i didn't have any on hand. you're right about toxic folks. i have to tell you we never know when she's going to be "on a tear." thank goodness yesterday she was mellow.

vickie, i'm aiming at 30 min per day. i may have to break it up into 15 at a time but i think it's doable. thinking of it that way doesn't sound as difficult as thinking 200 per week. wish me luck.

angela, i'm proud of you for nipping the eating before it gets out of control. way to go, girl!!

kathy, how funny about your shoes!! i saw a woman at a teachers' meeting in 2 dif shoes once.

saundra, thank you for the good wishes. i'm doing great opwise today. sure hope i don't break the scales fri. lol i always heard that a lot of flies meant a change in weather coming.

nikki, woo hoo!!!! congratulations.

frouf, only one donut? i am impressed. i didn't know they could be eaten in single form.

How long do you think frozen (purchased frozen, individually vacuum-sealed) boneless, skinless salmon fillets would last? I have no idea how long I have had mine and there is no expiration date.

melissa, do they look freezer burned? if not, i wouldn't worry about them. but if you're thinking they've been there since the flood, you might want to toss them.

Ditto, Melissa, when in doubt, DON'T!

I just finished two Dr. Praeger's California burgers with a roasted potato. It was very good. I had a big salad for lunch, so wasn't in the mood for another one.

Had a massage treatment today, and my foot actually is feeling better. Cross your fingers.

My Aunt called, and will probably come On June 21st. Adam and I are going to Cirque de Soleil on the 22nd, but she's okay with that. Hopefully Bernie will be off that night. My uncle is getting progressively worse.

Enjoy your dinners and I'll see what's up later,

Hi chicks! I'm still very tired. No nap so far and I'm very blue. Cramps continue but still no TOM. Must be part of perimenopause/menopause. I've eaten 6 points of WW mint patties today and Dove dark chocolate. I feel a little sick to my stomach. Jim is out getting dinner. I'm not sure when or if I'll eat.

Got news that our new furniture is ready to be delivered. They said 8-10 weeks and it's actually been only 5! I had to scurry to get the consignment used furniture store to come tomorrow to pick up our old stuff so the new stuff can be delivered on Thursday or Friday. That, at least is pretty exciting!

Frouf, I'm sorry the pizza made you sick but I'm glad you're done with it.

Sandra, I'm glad MIL behaved. You didn't tell us how Curtis is feeling. I hope his chest pains have gone.

Kathy, we need a Judd update. I hope he is feeling better and that there is nothing too serious wrong.

Melissa, when in doubt I throw it away. But don't go by me....I'm an overly cautious cook. Is it new since the move? Has/is it still frozen? I know that stuff in vacuum bags last longer. I hope that helps. I don't think I would make cola chicken the night before a weigh in. Doesn't ketchup have alot of salt in it? I'm a salt abuser so I don't think it's salty but other people tell me it is. I'd vote for very plain tonight.

Niki, great job losing again this week. You keep it up! Slow and steady wins the race.

I'm off to the couch. I'll be up early tomorrow since the pickup could be as early as 9:00.

I hope you all have a great evening.

Hi: Sorry I have not posted for a day or so, it seems I have a hard time keeping up to you all.

Oh dear the dreaded black flies are still out are they. We are waiting until they have gone. They are usually gone when it gets real hot. And believe me it is hot here today. 34 Now that is hot. I think that would about 93 for the U.S. ladies.

Glad to hear that froufie's daughter was able to dance. I had a long talk with a friend who is a Dance teacher here in our town.She does not teach Dancing anymore but she teaches Lit.(I do not know how to spell it) dancing in our Church. It is really nice with the flags etc. She did tell me it is expensive for the young people to dance at the level your daughter would be dancing. It is so good for them, though.

Well have to go and put on my face, and put on my duds, it takes me longer and longer the older I get. We are taking the study of Da Vinci tonight. I think it is 2 more weeks of it.
Hope all is well and Kathy your daughter is feeling better.
Blue skies,
Rose

Melissa, read this:

Originally Posted by :
Storing Frozen Seafood
Store frozen fish at 0øF or colder. The storage life of frozen seafood is longer at lower temperatures. Store frozen shellfish, fatty fish such as salmon, and smoked fish no longer than 3-4 months for best quality. Store frozen lean fish such as rockfish, sole and flounder no longer than 6-9 months.

I wouldn't worry about it as far as making you sick. It would just be a quality thing if it was longer than the 3-4 months, but if it cooks to a regular color, flakes easily with a fork, and doesn't smell bad then I would say it's fine.

Judd was at the doctor for a long time. They took blood and said he has a virus. He got a Rx and is starting to feel better. Now I'm feeling bad though so if I feel this way, I'm staying home tomorrow. I am nauseated and at first I thought it was from the heat but now I'm not sure. I stuck pretty close to my eating today; ate everything up to and including my afternoon snack and then I decided to eat a little pecan pie. I'm not eating dinner anyway because I think I'd just throw up. I came home around 3:30, took a bath, laid down on the bed and immediately fell asleep. I felt worse when I woke up so now I'm just going to stay in bed until it passes. Thank goodness dinner is already cooked.

Still no sign of my pants, dammit. I'm getting mad, but will just buy more. It can't hurt to have an extra pair anyway, and maybe the first ones will show up.

Vickie, that's great about your furniture! I'm sorry you're feeling rotten too but maybe new furniture will improve your spirits. Where was Jim going to get dinner from? Chipotle?

Saundra, I'm so glad your foot is better. There's nothing worse, is there? Are you almost thru with therapy and the massages?

I am having an odd craving for salmon patties, so if I stay home from work tomorrow I'm going to make some. It's just salmon, chopped onion, an egg all mixed up and formed into patties, then rolled in cornmeal and panfried, right? I would use a little bit of olive oil, I guess. It has been years since I made them but for some reason I can't stop thinking about them.

We're expecting rain tonight maybe and tomorrow there's even a bigger chance.

Oh and I have a fairy delivery story! :lol: This morning I noticed that the husband's truck was still at home when I went by. It was around 7:30 and I was afraid that he would come out while I was walking up to the porch, so I saw a man standing in the garage across the street and a few doors down. I went over there and asked if he would do me a favor, and he said sure. I said I've been taking little things to Nicole to cheer her up and he said "Oh YOU'RE the one!" He said they've been talking about it all week and asking everyone if it was them, and of course nobody knew anything about it. I had a hanging pot of very pretty pink impatiens that I gave him to take over, then I made him pinky-swear not to tell! He said he would forget he'd ever seen me. I think the husband stayed home from work today because I didn't see him, but am just waiting until he mentions something about it. Hopefully I can keep a straight face (and Judd too, now that he knows).

Kathy, what a sweet little fairy you are. You definitely have a good heart.
I'm glad that Judd is on the mend, and do hope that your yucky feelings go away asap. My mom used to make salmon patties all the time and Bernie loves them. Your recipe is good and should turn out fine.:)

Aw, thank you! I am thinking that since there's a three-day weekend coming up for me, I might go get some fabric and make a quilt. We have a professional quilter who works with us -- she has a big ol' $2000 quilting machine -- and so I'm always a little embarrassed when we have work showers and we both make quilts. Hers looks like something you would buy (you just can't believe some of the awesome stuff she's made) and mine looks ... well, homemade! :o Now that we're not having a work shower though, there won't be anything to compare mine to and I won't feel so bad. She already knows it's a boy and I looked at her Target and Babies R Us registries to get an idea of what colors (blue, yellow and white) she's getting things in. We'll see. I was thinking that maybe after they came home from the hospital, I would take dinner over and we could tell them then that it was me.

We grew up eating salmon patties at least once a week and I just love them! I remember them smelling up the house pretty good but I can deal with that.

So you never found your glasses, huh?

Nope, I never did. However (not sure if I mentioned this), I went to a restaurant where they might have been and they had a pair (same colour frames) that work for me, and the owner said to take them. :)

Vickie - how exciting about the furniture - I hope it all fits in nicely for you. sorry you are under the weather - hope you get some good rest tonight!

Kathy - I sure hope you are not catching what Judd has - this would NOT be a good thing. Maybe resting might help? I hope the neighbour keeps your secret - and I know Nicola must be loving it!

I have not made salmon patties in ages either - might have to add that to the menu.

Saundra - glad the massage helped and that your foot is feeling better - fingers and toes crossed!

Extremely hot and muggy today and same expected tomorrow - which is our work picnic day followed by a volleyball match - I can't imagine how that will go given the heat and extreme humidity. Will definitely slather on some sun screen and bring a sunhat as there is little shade where we are! I suspect people won't be hanging out too long after lunch if it is super hot - I now hear showers expected in pm - I guess it depends on when they might start?

I 'ordered' chicken breast on a bun (lesser of several evils) but there will also be chips and cake which I shall try and avoid if at all possible!

And there is actually a tornado and thunderstorm warning just west of us (Patti - is this anywhere near you?). So weird to see the 'warnings' running across the bottom of the tv screen - a rarity! I also just heard some thunder so we might we be in for another rainy, noisy night.

And for excitement we have little ds' first television appearance! Today he was on parliament hill at some ceremony where his class sang a song (the power of peace). Of course the local tv station was there and filmed them - we watched with anticipated breath (after calling grandma of course) and there was little ds singing his heart out - he is the first one in the row - and on for maybe like 3 seconds - but a very exciting 3 seconds (the whole clip is no longer than 1 minute). Anyhow we will of course tune in to the late night news to see if he's on again! What a star! :D

Sandra- is your dip recipe posted somewhere in our recpe thread? I know you shared it the other day but it might get 'lost' in between the chatting.

And Saundra - how about the pot roast recipe? I keep forgetting about my big beautiful crock pot and I know we don't use it enuf - it would probably help dh in the dinner planning dept!

Also going out to the "Sweet Finale' which is the closing meeting of the org I belong to (city wide closing) which of course features 'sweets' - lots of cakes, desserts, etc - but there should also be fresh fruit as well! May not stay too late anyways as need to pick up dd from art class around 9:30 pm.

Cleaning lady coming tomorrow and I am THRILLED - can't wait for a clean house (which will hopefully stay clean at least for a few hours!).

And to make things even more complicated - dh bringing my car in tomorrow for general maintenance - so we have to leave early so he can drop me off at work - take ds to school and bring car into dealership. Very busy morning!

Hi you all! I am so behind that I don't even know where to start. I'm sorry for being so behind!
Thanks for all of the fish advice--I ended up throwing it out. I think it may have been a year old! I just couldn't remember. I hate to waste food butI was going for the "better safe than sorry" idea. Ended up making baked chicken and rice and beans. Kind of heavy but I was really hungry, and it was filling. And now I am avoiding the kitchen. I haven't eaten since around 7 or 7:30 and I'm keeping it that way, even though DH is over there with some PB and crackers.

Kathy, you are so sweet. I know that those gifts have to mean the world to her, I know they would to me. And I think a "homemade-looking" quilt is one of the best things...it means more I think! All of that hard work is a great gift. I love receiving things like that. I hope that you are feeling better, and that you don't get whatever it is that Judd has.

Vickie, I'm sorry to read that you are feeling down. That is exciting about your furniture though. You always have something going on!

Frouf, busy busy busy! Good luck at the picnic tomorrow. Those events are always so hard. And stay safe with all of the storms tonight!

Sandra, I need to go back and find your recipe too. I love dips, unfortunately I always want to eat them with chips. :lol: Did you have a good op day?

Saundra, we are slowly but surely getting settled in, thanks for asking. It's a challenge, that's for sure! I'm sure you will get your fill of moving when your kids come...isn't that soon?

Niki, CONGRATS on your w/i!!

I know that I am forgetting things. I am going to try not to get so far behind!!

Sandra, did you see that I am copying you with an exercise tracker? We just keep following each other around. I need to follow your scales though!!

vickie, i'm sorry you're having tom problems. you'll be through with all that before you know it. won't you be glad? i don't miss it at all. curtis is better. it definitely was the stress getting him. it doesn't take but a few minutes around her sometimes to send him into "shock."

rose, it's good to see you here. did you read where i fell off and the wagon rolled over me? i'm back on again now.

kathy, i hope you're not getting judd's bug. a missing pants mystery? hmmmmm. now you have me hungry for salmon patties. have you had luby's? i love theirs.

frouf, i'll go post the dip recipe. thanks for reminding me. congratulations to little ds for being a tv star.

melissa, i'm glad you tossed the fish. good idea. i am op today. i need to go post what all i've eaten. i'm thinking of having some popcorn in a few minutes. lol i didn't have my weekly dose cuz of my pigout. my scales will most likely be in the 190's fri. oh, well. life goes on. i see your exercise tracker. i'm too lazy to use a ticker factory one. it's all i can do to make myself update the 3fc one. :lol:

Morning all! :sunny:
I'm on a rampage this morning. I'm not sure what's going on, but it started with looking at myself nekkid in the mirror this morning. Now I'm a woman on a mission. I may post a rant here in just a little while. I'm so tired of the way things are with me. Now that I'm at work, I'm frustrated with that as well. Things have to change all the way around.
Sorry to vent, but I warn that there is more to come. ;)

Sandra, you aren't lazy gf. And the scales may surprise you. You're doing great.

Good Morning Chicks! There's no time for me to post now. I slept until after 7:30 and I don't think I got up all night which is very unusual for me. I still feel blue, and now nausuous. But, I have a lot to do so I must ignore how I feel. The used furniture place might be here as early as 9:00 so I must really go and shower. Jim wants me to be available when they come. This will probably be one of those hurry up and wait kind of deals. They open at 9:00 and then they'll probably not even leave to come here until 9:30 or 10:00. It's ok, though, because we need to go pick up our glasses and run some errands today.

melissa, feel free to rant any time. and again we're alike. i was on a warpath around here yesterday. we finally went out to the archery range yesterday pm and i did some unwinding. wish we had a magic wand but i guess ww is closest thing to that. hang in there. we'll get this done.

vickie, i hope your spirits lift, too. what's with all of us? i hope all goes well with your furniture dealings today. you and jim are always so busy. did you ever think retirement would be like this?

we're heading out in a minute to run errands and take curtis for his doctor's appointment. he will prob be more dedicated to ww afterwards. his bro/wife had each lost around 20 lbs doing ww flex. well, it's time to go. have a good day, everyone. let's enjoy every minute we can.

Hey folks! I'm at work against my will, but Judd's still at home. He doesn't feel any better. Consequently, I won't be getting my salmon patties today. :( Oh well -- there's always another day to try again. I hate to stink up the house with the smell of fried fish when someone's already feeling nauseated.

Melissa, bless your heart. You just rant and rave anytime you want to. It's not good to keep it all inside anyway. I'm sure that someone will click very soon. You're right though, this is the time to get control of the situation, before you start having kids and get even busier. That's when the "fast food drive-thru" days REALLY begin.

I hope everybody has a good day. I'm not sure how long I'll be able to stay here because I didn't sleep very well. I hope I'm not getting what he has though; he's really miserable.

The old furniture has been picked up for consignment and the new furniture is now scheduled for delivery tomorrow. I'm all showered and dressed so I think we'll go pick up our glasses now and run some errands. Maybe we'll have lunch out too. Retirement is grand.....although a bit too hectic at the moment.

I'll be back later.

Good Afternoon,

I shadowed at WW this morning, as I want to be ready for shift tomorrow afternoon.

Vickie, gladt that your furniture got picked up. It will be so exciting to get the new pieces in tomorrow. I remember when you showed us the pics, and it is beautiful. Just think, tomorrow night, you and Jim will be able to snuggle up and relax.

Melissa, hey girl, scream all you want. Sometimes that's what we need to do to get the ball rolling. Remember, little steps is all you need.

Kathy, hope you're going to start feeling better. Any chance of leaving early? I know what you mean about the smell of cooked fish, it lasts forever.

Frouf, I posted the roast recipe under slow cooker. I think you'll enjoy it. Tonight, we're going to Lapointes in Kanata. Hope you're coping with the heat.

Sandra, I know that you are determined to get going OP. Are you going to the meeting on Friday?

Bernie got the Fridays in July off, so I can book the two long weekends. We're going to Picton ( a quaint town on the water) on the 7th and Tremblant (resort in Quebec) on the 28th. I sure hope they are both going to be nice and warm, as I love being near the water.

Spoke to gf and her cleaning lady is coming here next week. I hope it works out. I want someone to do the stuff that I don't do often enough, like getting behind the furniture and things like that.

Better make the bed that I didn't do this morning,:o

:lol: Vickie, I'm glad you're enjoying your retirement. Save me a spot, would ya? Oh ... and I just got my AARP enrollment forms in the mail. Sa-weeeeet!

I keep picturing you sitting on the floor all day. I know you probably aren't, but it makes me giggle anyway.

saundra, i'm going to the meeting fri morning even if the scales holler with pain when i step on them. by fri i will have 3 op days under my belt. what do you mean by shadow at ww? were you observing?

kathy, i got a "geezer jock" magazine in the mail. thought my sportswriter son had sent it as a joke--not! it's from senior olympics folks. i am a geezer now. :lol:

Sandra not to worry you will be back on track. I am still trying but it is for the pits eh? I am having a great time with the Magic Bullet. It makes wonderful smoothies. I also grind the flax seed in a flash. I put in frozen fruit, banana, cottage cheese (you can not taste the cottage cheese, Sandra) skim milk, splenda and it gives you a nice lunch. The sf puddings are good too. Did I mention that I read to add a tablespoon of dry milk powder to the pudding mix and it makes it so much nicer.

Hmm, all that talk of salmon patties I think that is what we will have tonight. I love them also. Never had them as a kid unless I went to visit my grandmother.

It was so hot in Church this morning, we were studying Revelation. They plan a luncheon on the 14th of June and then our friends have asked us to go for supper on the 14th also. I am going to say NO to both. This Friday other friends have asked us out. There is also a swimming party, (more food) the middle of June. I am glad I have excuses not to go as it is getting just too much. I am getting better at saying," Thanks for the invite, but we will not be able to come."

Kathy, did the gal find out it was you yet that was being so kind.
Hope your hubby starts to feel better.

Vicki, how exciting your furniture is coming soon. That will give you a lift. Try to enjoy each day as it comes, as you can never get the day back. I have found that through out the years. Life is so short.

Melissa, I read once that if you feel like eating something you should go ahead but-----you have to eat it naked in front of a full length mirror. lol Boy, that would stop me. I think I will try it.

Saundra my dh lived close to Picton as a kid, nice area. Our son goes to Tremblant in the winter and loves it.

Well must run,
Rose

rose, i didn't know about adding the powdered milk to pudding. thanks for the tip. your magic bullet sounds like a neat gadget to have around. congratulations on saying "no." i know that's not easy to do.

Rose, you are one social butterfly. I've heard great things about the magic bullet. I just bought a high end Cuisinart blender with processor attachment. I had a smoothie with banana, blueberries, yogurt and milk. It was so filling. I'll have to try the milk powder too.

Sandra, yes shadowing is training, no pay. However it makes me feel better to walk into tomorrow's meeting a little more confident. One day, I'll have it down.:)

Hi all! Vickie, so you're furniture-less now? Time to break out the beanbag chairs. :)

I am busy, busy, busy this week/weekend. Tomorrow morning is preschool graduation, then tomorrow afternoon, I'm cutting up pounds and pounds of strawberries for Thurday night's church service auction I'm in charge of. Then the actual event, then Friday is my birthday!! :) Friday night is our babysitting coop, and it happens to be our turn to babysit 12 children. Whee haw! I'm making a birthday cake for all the kids to share though, and I think I may have to instigate a massive water fight. :lol: My brother and his (girl) friend are coming into town too, and they'll be there to help, so it should be fun. Saturday is a choir practice for a major portion of the day, and then Saturday night my brother is taking me out to an outdoor music festival down in Iowa City. Sunday is church, Monday is the last day of school, and THEN I can start breathing again. :dizzy:

Melissa, your resolve has helped strenghten mine. I don't want to go back to being uncomfortable in my own body...I will nip it in the bud here and now. The nice thing is, since I'm in charge of the church activity tomorrow night, I chose the refreshments. We're having angel food cake (fat-free) with strawberries and cool whip. It's at least semi-healthy, and should appeal to a large group of people, I hope.

Well, time to get back to work...
Angela

Angela - wow - stop and catch your breath - very busy and I know you will appreciate the down time when next week rolls around - good plan on the 'healthier' refreshments! Have fun with all the kiddies, cake and water fights! :D

Vickie - hope you are feeling better, and got all your errands done. I bet you can't wait for the new furniture to arrive - we await pics of the new setup.

Kathy- sorry Judd is still not feeling well - but glad you don't have what he does! Sorry you had a bad night - hopefully you can catch up tonight?

Melissa - rant away - it might even help some of us to also get more focussed on our goals! You go girl!

Sandra - so how did curtis' dr appt go? and how is your foot doing by the way?

Saundra - good luck w/the shadowing - I know I too would feel more confident if I did that! Weekends away sound great - we lived in London many years ago and did visit Picton once in a while - and of course we LOVE going to Tremblant in the summer and go almost every year - are you staying on the resort? or nearby (we have done both - on the resort if we want to be busy and only there for a weekend and off if we we want more peace and quiet e.g Le Grand Lodge or Gray Rocks both on the lake so I can sit out, sip a glass of wine and just enjoy the view!). Did you know they have music 'theme' events in the summertime? (see http://www.tremblant.ca/activities/e...06/index-e.htm ). We have gone to several of them and they are so much FUN!

So it is BOILING SAUNA HOT out today - I have barely done any work. Co-worker came back from South African trip today so had 'breakfast' with her as we caught up....then the picnic at 11:30 am - barely any shade - I brought my baseball cap - which helped but now I have curly flattened hair - could it get any worse! I had chicken on a bun and a nice piece of cake - and then stood there sweating and melting while I watched the volleyball game.

I am supposed to go out tonight to my closing event - but I look like @##$ and don't want to shower or do my hair again and makeup - such a lazy froufie! Altho big ds is babysitting and dd's dad is picking her up from art class so all arrangements have been made - will see how I feel later and if I can do any 'damage control'.

Otherwise I am feeling fat as all my clothes are super tight on me now. It was quite the event this morning as I tried to find 'picnic clothing' - everything looked awful! Yes a nice depressing way to start my day!

angela, i can't imagine doing all you're doing. and a birthday, too!! let me wish you a happy birthday in advance. you might not have time to be here friday. will you be dodging water balloons?

frouf, curtis' doctor's appt went pretty good. his heart is all right. his main problem is the osteoarthritis. the doctor gave him some muscle relaxers to help. he also talked to curtis about dealing with stress and about his cholesterol. told him to try to cope better. my feet are really really hurting. i did 20 min on the treadmill (30 yesterday).


we are leaving town fri after ww for a bowfishing tournament. i'm planning to take a book and just chill out. i've never bowfished before. in the meantime, we have more out of town relatives visiting. we'll meet with them tonight and tomorrow.

frouf, a picnic sounds like fun. i hope you do go tonight and enjoy yourself. i understand not wanting to get made up again. i'm bad about that, too.

Lordy, I thought I could do this but I can't. I'm having a very, very difficult day.

Today is the day, four years ago, when I called my mom to see how my sister was doing. She had been getting progressively worse and I had been going to Tyler, where she lived with my parents (about 2-1/2 hours away from here) every weekend to visit. My mom said she wasn't doing well, and so I said maybe I should come over. She said yes -- if you come now you can spend the night and go back home in the morning. I was a little shocked, because I was thinking about going over on the weekend, not dropping everything and going that day!

Well I could tell she meant no, come now. I left work and drove over there. My sister was, of course, in the hospital bed that was set up in my parents' living room. We talked and visited all thru the afternoon and evening, and then I slept on the couch next to her bed. She woke up around 4:00 in the morning crying, and I asked what could I do? What did she need? Was there something she wanted? She said, "I just want to live and I'm not going to." That scared me and I called my mom, who came in the living room just as my sister started throwing up. We got her calmed down and she stopped, and we tried to sleep a little longer. I left around 8:00 that morning to go home.

I didn't know it was the last time we would hug. The next day, she slipped into a coma and was taken to inpatient hospice where she laid there unresponsive for six days before she died. My only sister.

So that's why I hate this day. It should be a good memory and maybe one day it will be, but for now all I remember is that it was the last time we got to talk. I know for a fact that I told her I loved her, and she said the same. Maybe she knew it was the last time but I didn't.

Ugh. Sorry to be such a downer but it feels like yesterday. Who knew that four years could pass so quickly?

Oh Kathy I feel your pain, and understand exactly how sad you must be. I am so thankful for my sisters.... Remember my dear, that the more we loved, the more we hurt, and that makes us very very fortunate.:hug:

{{{{{kathy}}}}} i am so glad you got to spend that time with your sister. cherish her memory. i wish i knew what to say to make you feel better.

Thanks so much. I can't even make it thru today, let alone the next week. That was even harder. I guess I should take an extra vitamin and try to buck up.

On a teeny brighter note, I stopped at JoAnns on the way home and bought fabric to start the baby quilt. Maybe having that to do will perk me up.

Hello everyone, I don't know if you remember me....it has been a long time since I have been on and posted. Life has been very busy and challenging over the past few months. My hubby and I completed the WW at work program so we are now weighing in at home. I haven't gained any....I haven't lost anymore either. I hope you are all doing well. I will have to go back and read some of the old posts. I am looking forward to the support you all give, I have really missed it and truly need it.