Tuesday Beach Chat
 

Good Tuesday morning to you!

Cat, I was thinking of you all night, I hope you didn't have the bad weather you were expecting!

We're expecting that rainstorm today, but no high winds or anything like that! I had those darned brownies on my mind all day, too, and when I got to Cindy's house, they had made brownies over the weekend. :( Yep, I had one. :(
Today I'm concentrating on Clean Eating!

Morning Cottage (et al)
I think a few cups of veggies will negate a brownie, right?..Just flush it right out!!!!

The storm was pretty bad last night. I finally went to sleep about 10 while it was still going on, but had stuff all prepared in the hallway just in case we had to get in there fast. It's still dark, so I haven't been able to see what it's like outside with limbs down etc.

Nothing fun happening here today...getting ready to hit the fluidity bar, then off to the tub to get my day started. I've gotten a lot of work done this morning for clients and hope my "in box" is not full when I get home from school. One can only hope.

Morning all. Well after a rough weekend I had a great first day at work yesterday. I start on the floor thursday. Sending the immigration paperwork off today. No more arrythmia problems so far anyway. I managed to risist the cookie and junk food temptations of the cafeteria. Actually the worst temptation was the fresh coffee they had. ( might trigger the arrythmia) I need some green tea bags since I can have that. I think I'll try a walk today. I'm antzing to get some activity in.

Cottage those brownies are evil to tempt you like that. Shame on them.

I'm glad you and your family are okay, Cat. It must have been quite a night. I hope your beautiful gardens don't have too much damage!

Spirit, good luck on your new job!

Canonly get better!
 

Sorry but I'll have to do personals later.

The funeral is Thursday, out of town so I think I might blowoff work Friday as well, I'll have to see howthings go.

In the meantime... I stopped at Wegman's after work to fill up the fridge with salad fixings and such... came out to the car and it just went "click, click". Sigh... so called Geico for tow. Now waiting to hear from someone at work for a ride!

Then this am, woke up at 4, went back to sleep and slept through my 4:30 alarm and popped out of bed at 6:30! sigh.....

I'm not frustrated by all this, more frustrated at my son for putting drinks that cost $7 in my cart! He says it's his caffeine, then the brat proceded to ask my how much my coffee cost... "About $7, but it lasts for four weeks, not one!"... shut him up! Besides, he had no right to question what I buy since I the one paying for it! And here I was wondering how my bill each week is over 115, for two!!!!!!

When's he moving out????????????? ;)

Good morning Chicks-

Well another day, another storm - looks like this may be all ice :( It's Town Meeting Day, supposed to warm up now.

Cottage - I don't know about you but I swear those evil little chocolate things talk to me. Last week it was these cute, innocent looking chocolate chip cookies in the office. So far I've manage to ignore them. I keep 75% dark chocolate in my drawer and eat one little square when I just have to have chocolate.

Cat - Glad you made it through the storms last night.

Spirit - Good luck with the job. Sorry to hear about the arrythmia scare. My Dad has dealt with that on and off for years. Hope they figure out what's up with yours and can fix it.

Loriann - What a week, hope things start looking up soon. Your son sounds like my daughter was at that age. Now she is the budget queen and had to learn to spend a little more once she got a real job. They really do grow up eventually!

It's a work at home day here. I think I would have changed jobs years ago if it wasn't for the flexibility and work at home days! If we get the ice tonight tomorrow morning may also be work at home. I have no shortage of home work so it's never a problem. Seems like I get tons more done at home.

I'm checking out the local Curves next week to see if it will work for me. I'm really starting to look at how I can continue to devote enough time to working out each day and still have some sort of life. Now that I'm getting close to goal I'm thinking a lot about maintenance and don't know how this all will fit. How does everyone else do it?

Have a good day Chicks! and be safe if you're in the storm's path.

Oh, Linda. Now I feel guilty. You really should have come over! Next time I'll keep my concoctions to myself.

Cat, enjoy your workout! How has your toe been?

Jen, good luck at work! What type of floor do you work on?

Loriann, I hope you car gets fixed fast, and isn't too expensive!

Cyndi, I hope you like the Curves. My mom loved hers, before they lost the contract on their building. Every one is owned independently, though, so make sure you get along with the owners and like their style.

I'm revving up for another day of good eating. We're in single digits until Tom gets home, as of today!!! :woohoo: Nothing much on the plan for today...just getting the normal stuff done.

Kara

Good morning. I could have been in here before seven but my darling Hershey takes precedence over coffee and 3FC in the morning and then I get distracted.

Loriann, it sure sounds like you are having a difficult week. Let's hope it improves.

Cat, glad you are safe and I hope the garden is OK too.

Cottage...... gotta go - someone here to fix circuit - back in a bit

Good morning chicks, just waiting for my tea to steep before I head over to my emails and see if there is any dance craziness this morning. Our committee had to meet with the dance studio owners last night to decide what we are going to do. I then spent an hour putting together an email to send out to everyone appologizing that they had been drug in to all of this as she had cc and even bcc'd other mothers into the emails. What a mess. Hopefully this will end as of today, but if it does not then the owners are taking over. It has had my emotions going from super mad to totally stressed out. Anyhoo enough of this talk today will be a postive one.

Ruth- Glad that you got out driving and that you are moving around. Take care of yourself.

Kara- you and the kids must be getting excited to see Tom again. Have a good day.

CyndiM- Looks like we are going to get the same type of storm over night. Ice and then rain all day tomorrow. GRRR. I am so tired of the winter.

Loriann7 there is nothing worse than sleeping through the alarm,hope your day gets better

Cottage- I think that you are alright with one brownie, glad I was not there chocolate has been calling my name and I love chewy gooey brownies.

FemmeGlad that the storm was not to bad. Have a great day.

Spiritmagejkt- Glad that you are feeling better, take care of yourself.

Me- I have another quiet day kid wise today, so I think that I am going to try to get some cooking done for the week so that I can get back to clean eating. Well I have to go and check my emails and pray that there is nothing that is going to suck up my entire day with the evil emailing woman. :D Have a great one chicks.

I just got back from Curves. I really don't know why I procrastinate so much about exercising, I really feel good while I'm doing and afterwards.

Cyndi, if I didn't get my workout in first thing in the morning, I know I wouldn't do it at all. Something always comes up later in the day for me. Our Curves opens at 7, and I'm right there at the door, waiting for it to open. By 7:30 I'm out the door again, and it's a good feeling knowing my exercise is done for the day. It's a great way to start the day, too! :)

Kara, don't apologize about the brownies, it was my own weak self that caved in. I think I'll make a batch this morning to help me until I get my will-power back!

Ruth, hope your day is bright and beautiful!

I just got word that now Audrey has that nasty stomach virus that Maggie had last week. :( It was bound to happen. So it will be a day of cuddling up on the couch and watching The NeverEnding Story.

LC, that dance mom situation sounds like such a mess! Why don't they just kick both her and her daughter out of the dance class? That's what I'd do, if they don't straighten out. I hope everything gets resolved soon and has a happy ending. Hang in there!

OK - back. All Moel needed to do was flip the breaker, something I can do myself EXCEPT I don't trust my legs on the cellar stairs which have no rail.

Cottage, I hope it was just one brownie and worth it. I need to avoid stuff like that completely or I slip into binge mode.

CindiM, yes, working from home is wonderful. I was able to do that for a few weeks before I retired and loved it. Winter is going so we snow folks can start to hope. The hummingbirds are now in Florida.

Kara, single digits? Do you mean temperature or is that some weird hand signal thingie?

Spirit, I know you are an RN but where are you working? Hospital? I hope that arrythmia stays gone.

Freezing rain and snow is predicted overnight and into tomorrow. I am supposed to go to the ortho clinic in town for a knee check but am going to see if I can go today instead. If not, I may have to rebook because I am not taking my life in my hands for a dangerous drive to spend three minutes with a surgeon. If I can't get the appointment changed to today, I'll drive to Smiths Falls and return the walker that I rented and really didn't need. I'm certainly enjoying being able to drive again. Where I live, it's a half hour drive to get to semi-civilization and 90 minutes to get to a real city but I love it!

Have a great Tuesday and may all your bumps smooth out.

Morning Chicks, quick check in for me, things have been really busy here at work. I had to take half the day off friday and you would think I took a week! While I was gone one of my male co-workers got hit walking by a car in front of our office!! They called me and told me I can't ever leave again without hiring a babysitter! He is ok thankfully although looks like he went 10 rounds in the boxing ring! He is one who gives me all kinds of **** and trust me he will never live this down!

Saturday when I was in indianapolis I discovered we do have a trader joes in this state! I was on a tight schedule so I wasn't able to stop but trust me there is a visit in my near future!

Wish I had time for personals but I really do need to get at it! Have a great day chicks, I will try to find time to come back!

Kara - when my husband goes away, I always find it easier to keep a schedule. Then, when he comes home my routines are shot! It takes me quite a bit of time to readjust to the fallout. I hope your exercise and eating stay on track once your husband comes home!

cottage - eeeew... I HATE the stomach thing. In me, in my kids, in conversation... LOL! I am so hoping it skips our household this spring (when it usually shows up). Last spring, we had to cancel some of our vacation reservations due to it. :(

We are scheduled to get an ice storm here starting at noon. I hope it holds off so DH and the kids are safe and sound at home when it gets yucky out.

I made it through last night. Had my unsweetened tea and went to sleep. This AM I had the belgian waffles, but didn't put the sweetener in it. Wound up using more caramel sauce and feeling yuckier than yesterday. I need to find a different non-egg recipe for tomorrow, I think?

I have the WATP tapes, so might do one of those today instead of a walk in an ice storm! Today's a typical day for me: Kitchen, Mount Folmore, Vacuum, etc. I can't wait for spring, though - having that fresh air blow through my house yesterday was wonderful!

Almost forgot - someone asked about Greek yogurt yesterday (I do read in the evening - just don't have time to write!). Other than the taste and texture, which are fabulous IMO, Greek yogurt has less milk sugar, i.e. carb, and more protein per serving. Apparently the whey, the liquid that is strained out, has most of the lactose. It's also the more bitter part of the yogurt. It does taste really decadent, like it should be bad for me :)

Morning chicks! We are suppose to get that crazy weather here today with hail & tornados .

Cottage I hope Audrey gets to feeling better soon

Cat glad to hear yall are safe. Did any damage happen to your property?

Spirit I hope day 2 is just a s good as day 1 was for you

Ruth you be careful in that crazy weather

Kara I hope you get all done today thats on your list

Good luck LC

Hi Loriann, Cyndi & Stephanie

Tonights bowling night and I am thinking I better go but we shall see as the day goes on.

I hope you all have a safe & very productive day!

Hello chicks. havent been here awhile. Im so discouraged with my weight. Im stuck at 205 and cant get any lower. the weather is cold here. Our puppies are getting big and i think we'll be getting rid of some of them this week. We've decided to keep one. Haven't been on plan at all. Nothing. but I have had some NSV's. Im gonna try to attach pics of a cake i had to do about 2 weeks ago and the pic of our new puppy.

TK sorry your having such a hard time :hug: I think a solid interaction on this site is what keeps me focused even if I'm not loosing alot I still stay focused on whats right. Keep at it and you'll do fine - don't give up on your self we haven't. Love the cake you did a great job! and what an adorable furbaby

Cottage: Have fun cuddling with Maggie. I hope that she feels better soon. Don't worry about that brownie - if you knew what I've eaten in the last 5 days, you'd probably pass out!!

Cat: I'm glad that you're all safe. Hope your gardens are all alright. I'm sending "blocking" thoughts to your inbox - maybe that will keep some clients away!

Spirit: I'm glad your week has started off well. How much longer will the immigration process take you? I hope it's not that bad! The Republic of Tea (just google it) has some GREAT green teas. DH and I order from them all the time.

Loriann: Sorry about the caffeine situation. DH and I are super-strict about our grocery budget. It used to top out at 150-200 a week, but now we average 80 a week. We just had to put our feet down about certain things and it worked!. Be careful travelling to the funeral - I hope it is a peaceful grieving time for everyone.

Cyndi: Thanks for the info on the yogurt. I hope you don't have to get out and drive in all this ice. Congrats on how close you are to goal! I hope you find the right workout regimen for you!

Kara: SO glad that you get to see Tom today! I bet the excitement at your place is almost unbearable! Stay warm!!

LC: I'll definitely have to read back and find out what's going on at the dance studio. I hope your tea offers you some relaxation and that you have a fun day of cooking!

Ruth: I'm glad you have the freedom of driving again! I agree that it would be too dangerous to drive in that weather just for a check-up. I hope they're willing and happy to reschedule for you!

Stephanie: Wow! That's terrible about your coworker, but I'm glad that he's okay! I'm dreading going back to work tomorrow - I don't even want to know what my desk looks like right now!!

FluffyK: I know what you mean - I love the winter, but I'm ready for the Spring. Could luck conquering Mount Foldmore!!! Hope DH and the kids are safe.

Gonna: Yikes! I hope you don't go bowling if there's tornadoes and hail! Well, of course you wouldn't! I hope the weather isn't too bad and that you have a great day!

tkglenn: I'm sorry you're stuck in a weight-loss rut. We've all dealt with them, so I can tell you confidently that if you just stick it out and get back on plan, you'll see that scale move down again!

Me: Well, what can I say? Ruidoso was wonderful! We barely left the cabin (for more than one reason! ;)) We almost stayed an extra night, but decided to head home so we could get some rest. This is the cabin we stayed in. Oh, it was SO nice! King-sized bed, jacuzzi tub, pretty secluded. We ate out on the back porch every morning to watch the deer who would drink morning and night from the creek that ran behind the cabin. We came back with some leftover money (actually, about $500) and I went this morning to open a new bank account - it's our "Ruidoso fund". We loved it so much that we're planning on going back next year. Don't ask about the food - let's just say there was a certain Italian restaurant that we ate at twice. I did work out while we were there, though.

Today I lucked out and am off due to the vote-counting occurring in my office, so it's laundry, cleaning and bill-paying, plus a trip to the post office and the library. Well, I'd better get busy! Thanks for listening to my rambling!!

Kim that cabin looked awesome I wouldn't have wanted to leave either. Glad you had a great time and came back with $$ for next years trip. Dh & I save five dollar bills for our vacations - 2 years ago we went to vegas on a whole lot of 5's - people do tend to look at you funny but it spends. Welcome Home!

Kim, now I am jealous! :p That cabin looks like just the perfect place to spend some quality time with your DH, I'm so glad it was everything you had hoped it would be! :)

GONNA, I hope that crazy weather misses you! Be careful if you do go out bowling, but have fun!

Tk,You have a real talent! The cake is adorable, and I really like the shape of the cake pan, too. Try not to get too discouraged about your weight stall. Going off plan is not going to help, only make you feel worse. Just try to eat clean and be patient, and eventually you'll see the pounds start melting away again. How's your DD since the surgery? I hope she's all healed up nicely and everyone else is healthy in your family.

I'm sneaking some time on Cindy's laptop while Audrey is dozing, poor thing. At least she isn't as sick as Maggie was. But we have her all cozily installed in Cindy's bed, with the TV on, and I think she's actually enjoying her sick day. I'm going to have to go pick up Maggie here shortly, though, so I'd better go wake her up to see if she's up to coming with me, or I can see if one of her grandparents can come up to the big house to stay with her until we get back.

I'm up early but I seem to miss all the early am chatter
 

Hello, all of my fellow beach chicks.

First order of business, I must extend an apology to all of you regarding how I exploded about Phase 1. I did further explain myself to MandiK in a PM that it was not my intent to suggest that it was the wrong question to ask but to say that Phase 1 is NOT all there is to South Beach. It is a speed bump on the road to good health. It gives great gas mileage but it might be cramped like a sub-compact if you do it too long.

Phase 2 is the meat and well, sort of "potatoes" (if you can handle that carb) of this program. Like a mid-size car, it offers comfort, decent mileage and a panoramic view of things to come.

MandiK, my apology to you if you took offense to my soap box. I want all of us to reach that finish line and you are no exception. :hug:

I am level headed but I am also a passionate person especially about something that is soooo good for me---and you and you and you.

To all the rest of you ladies, have a good and "fruitful" (maybe grain?) SBDay!!:hug:

I decided to work from home today rather than deal with the accidents on the roads from the weather. We only got about an inch of snow and most of it is melted already but there were some icy overpasses this morning and that made for lane closures on the roads to work. The boys were thrilled to come out of the den meeting last night to snow!

Today is election day in Texas but luckily I vote in the primaries at Brian's school so it didn't add an extra trip. Just some waits in lines.

Tonight I have a Roundtable staff meeting. We only meet three times a year so it isn't too bad. I'll be bringing Brian with me so I've got dinner in the crockpot. The paella last night turned out really well and I'm looking forward to having it for lunch today.

Hello chatty chicks!
First thing this morning I found out about a meeting tomorrow at Picatinny Arsenal that I should attend, but I wasn't kept in the loop as promised by the Army, so I've been scrambling to get travel approved and arrangements made all morning. I should be ready to get out of here in another hour or two - I want to try to leave asap, since we're supposed to be getting heavy rains later in the day. Good thing DH is home, so I at least don't have to worry about getting someone to take the kids.
Anyway, it means I won't have time for my exercise, but if I get in early enough I can at least do some time on the treadmill at the hotel. I also have a meeting scheduled tonight at the hotel in preparation for tomorrow. Hope to be back home tomorrow night.
Kara, I had everything on hand so I tried your latest brownies last night. The only difference from your recipe is I added a little vanilla and about 1 T of oil. Oh, and I didn't have any chocolate to add, just the cocoa. I thought they turned out really well. DH and DS liked them, but DD took one bite and asked if they were "fat free." She wasn't too impressed. More for me!

I am going to bypass personals today so I can go get packed and be ready when my travel approval comes through. Hope I can find some snacks to take along. I hate being on the road unprepared. Have a great day chicks!

Just had my lunch: avocado, tomato and muenster tossed with a little lime juice. Then some red pepper in Hummus. Getting used to my vanilla tea without sugar in it. Only a really minor headache today. Ooops, just remembered that I forgot to take my supplements... got to go do that now.
As soon as my food settles, I'm going to try the 2miles WATP. I've done the 1 mile, but I think I can easily handle the 2M.

Ruth, it's nine days until Tom arrives in New Jersey. Single digits. We're a little excited!

LC, I hope this whole dance thing blows over without too much more turmoil! What a mess! What are they fighting about?

Krystal, our routine always goes wonky when Tom gets back in town, but it's so worth it. I'd take him with a wonky routine over a day right on schedule but no having no one to share my bed. Hope you liked the 2 mile Walk Away the Pounds! We've got a good group on the forum now doing the workouts!!!

Stephanie, you are truly the glue that holds many together! Hope you can dig out from under the mountain of paperwork soon!

Gonna, I'm hoping for a strike for you!

Tawnya, that cake is adorable but your puppy is even cuter! Here's to getting back on plan for you!

Kim, I'm glad you had such a nice time! The cabin looks so cozy, just what I imagine Ruth's place looks like!

Pam, I'm sure your passion will spill over into great success for you! Thanks for sharing your tips.

Barbara, I'm glad your paella came out well! I've been taking your lead with some crockpot cooking these last couple weeks and it's been fun experimenting with a new mode of cooking.

Schmoodle, I also added vanilla. I can't believe I forgot to put it on the list. Did you know that beans can be used to substitute for the fat in a recipe? So you really don't need the oil. I was kind of half trying to get a decent low-calorie dessert as well as making it Phase 1 friendly, so I didn't use any. Glad yours came out well!

Kara

Jeez, NO ONE ever calls my house!! Would you believe that I had TWO phone calls during the WATP? You'd be proud of me, though - I kept right on walking, while I was talking! :lol:

Kara - how long has it been since you and Tom were in the same zip code? DH usually leaves for about 10 days when he goes. That's about my limit, I would think. Plus, you're living with relatives right now, aren't you? That alone would drive me insane. I like to be in my own house, own rules...

Krystal, Tom's in the Air Force. He's finishing up a year in Korea. The kids and I were supposed to stay in California, where he was last stationed, but we decided to trek across the country to be near family instead. All of our family is within about two miles...I'm talking aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparets...everybody! Tom's dad offered for us to stay at his place, which worked out perfectly because after about a month of us being here and Tom being there, we decided enough was enough and bought plane tickets and moved over to Korea. Had we gotten into a lease in an apartment, we wouldn't have been able to do that! So, we left New Jersey about two months after we'd gotten here, and then the kids and I came back about a month before Tom's tour was up because all his stuff was getting shipped out and it would have been difficult to spend a whole month with no cooking tools or toys with the three young 'uns! We haven't seen him since the 6th of February. I'm a big whiner. I know there are plenty of people who don't see their spouses for loads longer, but I just hate being without him. (Clearly...I moved to Korea for him!) He's leaving on Sunday but has to stop in California to co-ordinate the movers picking up our things from our storage unit out there, and then he'll be here next Thursday. Nine days!

Kara

I don't think it's being a whiner. It is what it is. You can't help how you feel - I'm sure the people whose family are away a long time would still be unhappy about a shorter time!

I just officially registered for my first class for next fall. My youngest is heading to kindergarten, so I decided to go to school. I have a bachelor's, but decided I want to follow a different path, so I'm going to get another bachelors (biology) and then onto a Masters (biomedical research). I'm only taking one course in the fall - don't want to jump in over my head at this point. I'll need about 28 classes for a BS and about 25 for a BA. I'll probably take 2 classes next spring (8-10 credits) and then a summer session. I'd like this undergrad part-time thing to take about 4 years total. Toward the end I"ll probably go low-range full time when the kids are older. Who knows, so much always changes here.

Krystal, I went back to school for my Master's when I was seven months pregnant with my first! I'd recommend your method over mine! Have fun with it!!!

Kara

I got halfway through my MBA when I got pregnant with DS11. I never finished, and now I'm heading towards a different MS. Unfortunately, it's a bit of a shift so I have to do some undergrad first. The question is, how much undergrad? I'm still trying to find out.

I'll be pushing 40 when I'm done... :eek:

Just running in and saying hi. For some reason this site and my computer haven't liked each other for the past week.