Here we go with what I always call "Transition Month". When April gets here, there is no longer any doubt in my mind that winter is over. Of course, I frequently get fooled with a snowstorm. (Actually, in May one year, I was gardening in freezing ice pellets!)
Great lunch with cousin Cathie yesterday although I managed to scorch the asparagus soup! We had a good laugh over it though and pitched it in favour of grilled cheese and watercress salad. We got caught up on all the family gossip and she was on her way back to Montreal in to hours. A "power" visit! For some reason, I was very, very cold and snuck upstairs for a nap when she left. Of course two dogs had to join me and warmed me up with their snuggles.
Gym this morning and then I trundle off to my quilting group meeting. I have a new quilt top for them to pin for quilting and know that my black and red quilt is back from the machine quilter and ready for binding. This might be the week I figure out how to properly download (upload?) the pictures from my Canon so I can post them. I seem to have a mental block about manuals, strange because I used to write them.
Just checked the weather and we are in for sunshine this week and temps up in the 50s. I just may get some outside work done. The "lad" came around yesterday to give me an estimate on cutting a tree in the lane this week which will inspire me. Wendy, my garden guru, is coming to do some work on the front beds and that will get me moving. We have perennials to split and move in the back garden but it's way too wet out there to tackle that big job.
Meanwhile, another mug of Italian Roast, breakfast and off to the gym for 7:30 with my two gym buddies.
How does your first day of "April is the cruellest month" look from this early morning perspective?
Good morning Ruth I am having Green Mountain Coffee Roaster's Lake & Lodge blend, it is good
Sounds like you had a nice day yesterday. And you are getting your gardening ducks in a row
It is WHITE out there this morning, not good for my morale...cruel month indeed! And speaking of cruel, yesterday I agreed to work one more week at the bleh winter job, at the end of this month...trying to be fiscally responsible
Had a couple of food indiscretions last night. All I can say is hey...it is no fair that the chocolate and ice cream was brought into the house, and not by me, to tempt me. Whine, whine right
I hope everyone will have an on-program day! as well as me!
My day isn't looking too bad, Ruthie. The girls are off school this week, and I have to work today and tomorrow, but they're leaving on Wednesday and I'll have the rest of the week off. I know they had company all weekend, though, so there's sure to be tidying up to be done in the playroom. I'll probably have to check and make sure the girls have packed everything they'll need in their bags for their trip to Chincoteague, and there will most likely be a lot a of last minute errands to run. Amber wants to come with me today, but I want to wait til I get out there and see what all's going on first. We can always come back and get her or have Andrea drop her off later.
My coffee is my favorite, Newman's Special Blend Dark & Bold.
Good morning, Holly. I take it your "white morning" is a reference to snow? Bummer. Ice cream is my biggest weakness, and I must confess I've caved in on more occasion than not. Last night my DS brought home a carrot cake, and although it looked scrumptious and was very tempting, I did manage to avoid it and had a nsa fudgesicle, instead. Score 1 for me!
Morning Ruth, Holly & Linda!
No snow this morning but the hubby just called and said there's plenty of black ice. Ugh.
The kids are on spring break this week so they are away at my MIL's this morning. She's taking them for a few days, then my husband & I will alternate the rest of the days off. It's so weird to be in a quiet house with just myself to get ready. No looking for anyone else's shoes or "encouraging" them to just hurry up and put their socks on already.
Have a great day everyone!
Good morning I'm on my second mug of Vermont Coffee Company Front Porch blend and starting to wake up. DW is sleeping in a little then off to work a full day. She is carpooling so I'm only driving back and forth to the park and ride. That can only mean one thing - spring cleaning! I haven't done anything but basic maintenance cleaning and de-germing for months so the house really needs a thorough clean. I'm trying to declutter and reorganize while I go. If I get started as soon as she is gone I should also have time for a walk or bike this afternoon.
Ruth - Italian Roast is one of my favorites, love the dark roast coffees. I am so tempted to tear out my little perennial bed and start from scratch (literally - invasive roses everywhere). I'm just not sure how much I'll hate myself once I get started
Holly - Sorry for the snow. I had to be in Randolph early Saturday and hit snow through that whole area but by mid-day it was sunny and pleasant. Hope that happens for you today. I was a bit indiscreet myself Saturday and am spending a couple of days on P1 just to clean out.
Cottage - Any plans for your days off? It's such a nice time of year to get outside when the weather cooperates.
Debbie - How are you holding up my friend? Hope you got some rest.
Karen - I'm making that soup again today. It really is such a good recipe, so simple and just always hits the spot for me Last time I used baby limas, this time I've got navies with chard. thanks for sharing!
Okay, time to get my cleaning and food plans set for the day and get DW's breakfast and work meals ready. Hoping for an easy Monday for you all
Cyndi, I'm faring "ok". Thanks for checking on me. I was tired yesterday and yet felt I should be progressing on the project. Not a good spot. Instead of resting or working, I took my planned snack to the couch for a bball game and just kept snacking. I've painted baseboards this morning and am hoping DH will return tomorrow afternoon. One more day. I hope you make some progress at your house.
Holly, ouch for an extra week at the "job from h*ll. We'll count down the days.
Kelly, enjoy your quiet time.
Ruth, I'm working on the camera/computer thing, too. Happy quilting.
Linda, yay for time off this week!
Ok, work at 7-I have 90 minutes....think I'll tidy the bedroom and kitchen. Ug.
Have a great day everyone!
ETA-I managed to load several photos....what it looked like when I pulled the carpet out, first coat drying and what the finish looks like now. I'll try for a better picture when the furniture gets moved tomorrow. Right now I can't get a good shot of the whole thing without climbing all over stuff.
Ruth - What winter?! We had a record-breaking warm March here and the 10th warmest winter on record. I hope I didn't just jinx us! Have a great workout.
Holly - My husband drives me crazy with what he brings into the house But he's getting better lately since he's been on his almost-vegan kick.
Linda - I had to google Chincoteague! Kudos on your willpower.
Kelly - Enjoy your quiet and drive carefully.
Cyndi - Aaack - I need to do that too. I really don't like to clean. But I do love to declutter. Glad you liked it. This site has been a great recipe resource for me.
Debbie - The floors look great!
I'm off to the gym with my mom this morning, then I'm working a few hours this afternoon. My boss texted me yesterday to ask if I could come in to help with a big shipment. It will be fun to see the new clothes. But I'll be working 3 days in a row now and my back is starting to ache just thinking about it! The good news is they are all afternoon shifts so that means I'll do no afternoon snacking and no evening cleaning at the store
Good Morning Peeps! Another boring work week for me. I will be getting out and about more this week for work: traveling the campus doing lab inspections, yay! Actually, it's GOOD for me, since it gets me moving and outside!
We got new furniture this weekend so we did a total family room clean and spruce up -- it's amazing what lighter color furnish, and new lamp shades can to for a room! Feels so nice.
Stayed on plan the weekend, a HUGE step for me! So overall, down 5 lbs in my "really get down to it" week! Very happy with that, very happy indeed. Oh gosh, that means I get to put my first little flame guy in my signature! Woot woot!
This is probably going to sound really silly but I'm having black beans in my southwest chicken salad and I'm SO happy. I haven't had beans in 6 months! Oh how I missed them.
It's extremely windy here in Delaware today. Hubby and I went to Home Depot and bought a new gas grill. Even though he tied it down and there were numerous bungee cords it was touch and go a few times on our way home with it rattling in the truck bed.
I went to Va. Beach (VA) over the weekend. That's where my husband and I are from so that's where a lot of our family lives. Both of our Dads are widowers and we check up on them as often as can. Thankfully, my brother lives next door to our Dad. And yes, I stayed on program!
cottagebythesea, you mentioned Chincoteague. We pass by the turn off when we're on our way to and from the "Beach".
Mandy, my oldest daughter is also on South Beach and she loves beans on her salad. We (daughter and I) were talking SB strategy for the Easter weekend--she's bringing a bean salad that is SB friendly.
I guess I'm totally late to the daily thread, Lol.
Hi everybody!
I just finished my first week on SBD, and I am very happy with the results so far, 8 pounds down, which I understand is typical, but it's so nice. :-)
I am just so amazed at how easy this plan is. I can't even really call it a diet, it's so far removed from every other "diet" I've ever been on. I haven't even had an urge to eat any bread or other high carb foods, it's awesome!
I'm very happy to have found this forum, the whole site is fantastic! So much information and so many nice people.
I wasn't going to type (just lurk), but had to tell Debbie how gorgeous those floors are looking! You should be VERY proud of yourself!!
I am physically and mentally exhausted. Although Easter is Sunday (and we're travelling), I'm planning on doing phase I starting tomorrow, with a break on Sunday, and then back to the grind I hope.
SBD Chat on Monday, April 2
I am having Green Mountain Coffee Roaster's Lake & Lodge blend, it is good 
I'm on my second mug of Vermont Coffee Company Front Porch blend and starting to wake up. DW is sleeping in a little then off to work a full day. She is carpooling so I'm only driving back and forth to the park and ride. That can only mean one thing - spring cleaning! I haven't done anything but basic maintenance cleaning and de-germing for months so the house really needs a thorough clean. I'm trying to declutter and reorganize while I go. If I get started as soon as she is gone I should also have time for a walk or bike this afternoon.
But he's getting better lately since he's been on his almost-vegan kick. 
