[Kim_Star060404]

Cottage: Good morning! Thanks for starting us off. I'm glad you're enjoying your staycation so much. I know you're ready for the girls to get back, though. I'm sure it will be a gab-fest with them as soon as they see you. Hmmmm...maybe you need to get some "silent time" before Thursday so you're prepared.

Loriann: Good for you, getting all your house-organizing done! It must feel great to be so productive. I still think that it's great that you're being so strong to help your son grow! Good luck with the job search.

Cat: If you get bored again you can head on over to my house and clean it! Hope your emergency gets taken care of quickly. Enjoy your fun time with your friend!

Ruth: Thank goodness we're over our traveling bug for this year. I don't think our wallets can handle another trip. (Well, we're going camping next weekend, but that doesn't count. ) Hope you have a good day pressure-washing.

Cyndi: Enjoy camping in your little tent! I think DH would prefer to have camp coffee every morning, but I just won't allow it. Have a good time!

TwynnB: Wow. You're lucky to have so many state parks so close. We've got quite a few as well, but couldn't drive to them all in one day. When are you going camping?

, Pearl! Have a nice day!

Zeffryn: Those darn calendars! Is it me or do they seem to change in order to make our lives more inconvenient? Good luck with the shopping and planning for SIL. I'm sure your MIL really appreciates your help!

Hi, thunder! Have a happy day!

Jessie: Libbie is SUCH a precious name. Sounds like she is healthy and making momma tired - how divine! Enjoy your day.

Lisa: Big bummer - hope it's not ringworm, but I don't know what else it could be. Hope the doc figures it out quickly and gets rid of the problem.

Schmoodle: Sorry about your bad night last night. At least it wasn't a longer-lasting problem. Hope you get some rest today before you go out to prepare for the beach. Don't worry about your binge - you're holding yourself accountable and will get through this the healthy way.

hmacneil: Your awareness of your eating and working out is awesome! Enjoy your day!

Me: Not much going on here. I'm working extra hours this week, but it shouldn't be too bad. I don't have much in the works for the next week-and-a-half or so, so I don't mind working more. The only big thing we might have this week is our steer being ready to pick up. DH and his boss will take care of getting it to the house, but I'll have to meet them there to make sure the freezer is organized the way I need it. I'll have to take a couple of hours off for that.

Well, off to cruise the net before settling in to work. Hope you all have a good day!

~Kim

[hmacneil6]

Didn't get to comment earlier so:

Weezle - So sorry that you have to go to the Dr. I hope it's something simple that a cream or two will clear up easily.

Schmoodle - Hope you're able to get some rest day, it must have been a rough night. And good job staying accountable to yourself re: the binge. Have a great, clean week.

Kim - You all are getting a whole cow??? When I was little my uncle raised a few pigs and cows for the family. I can still remember how good all the meat was. Such a treat!

[Kim_Star060404]

No, I think it'd be bad for us to get a whole cow. We'd end up eating beef daily for the next year. We're splitting a steer with DH's boss. That lasts him and his wife about a year and they eat more beef than us. We're definitely thinking that it will be about 200 lbs of meat and that it will last us until this time next year -- we're going to do this yearly from now on. It is going to be SUCH a blessing to have a freezer full of beef. I'll be able to spend less on meat and more on better cuts of chicken and fish! I can't wait to taste those steaks!!

[SAnativegirl]

Hi Girls-It is hot down here in Texas~


I managed to walk about 40 minutes at 9am,will try to make it earlier tomorrow. It felt so good to get out and walk. And trying to get in my water which is hard. Had a quiche cup for breakfast. Have a Lean Cuisine Beef and Broccoli in oven now, but it has no rice or carbs in it. And having fish and vegetables for dinner.

Off to beach this weekend!!! Have a good week!!!!

[Barb0522]

Brian had a wonderful birthday party. The older boys (all 11) were really nice to the 8 year old who came and they all had a wonderful time in the pool. The restaurant delivered a TON of food. I did manage to spend $345 of the money that I was allowed to spend for my 20th anniversary dinner and have lots of leftovers. The great thing was that the adults tried a little of each entree so we got to eat lots of good stuff and the kids had lots of pizza. We even split up the desserts so we got to try all 5 types without eating too much.

We forgot to bring the salads out and by the time we noticed we were all too full so I've got a big lunch of salad today that I'm looking forward to and still have more salad that Brian and I can have with dinner tonight. Most of the stuff that is left can either be eaten before it spoils or frozen so it should be a good use of the money.

I'm planning to take Brian to the park today to fly his remote control dragonfly if it doesn't rain. Everybody else gave him gift cards so he can pick out his own stuff. It's hard to buy for an 11 year old.

[zeffryn]

Barb -

Man, you must have had a huge budget for your 20th ann. dinner! What kinds of food did you have?

It sounds like the birthday party was a hit! Great job

[Barb0522]

zeffryn - I don't think there was anything that was totally on plan so this is all food porn. We had four types of pizza (they have a grilled vegetable one that would be on plan if they would just do whole wheat for the crust), we had lasagne, raviolo, baked ziti, shrimp murphy, a creamy spicy shrimp pasta dish that was WONDERFUL and something with grilled chicken and grilled vegetables. Then we had key lime pie, cheesecake, chocolate cake, tiramisu and cannoli. I really didn't eat too much since I just sampled a little of the more special dishes (skipped the baked ziti, ravioli and lasagna). It was so much nicer than trying to find time to take everyone to a fancy restaurant which the boys wouldn't have enjoyed anyway.

It was the first small party we've had since we got the pool and was good practice for the big staff party we're having Saturday night. That will be a hamburger, hotdog kind of thing so it will be easier to stay on plan. I have some turkey patties too since the hamburger ones are that lean. And I'll pick up some whole wheat buns to go along with the regular ones. I'm also going to make a three bean salad. I'm not sure if I'm going to do anything for dessert. I've told the staff they can bring sides and desserts so I will either not worry about one or I'll try to make one that is on plan. Oh, I haven't made my crustless strawberry pie this year and it is so good and easy!

[zeffryn]

that sounds so good. I hope you realize that you have been the source of many of my cravings lately.....my husband is thinking of banning me from this site

[EofAZ]

Originally Posted by Loriann7

Speaking of retreats... does anyone know that the fingerlakes boast of LOTS to do, let alone the GEORGOUS scenery?

Here is a link to my FAVORITE place, I go once a year at least because it's two hours from my house. http://www.gowaterfalling.com/waterfalls/watkins.shtml


OK, I'm embarrassed to admit this, but within twenty mins from my house are four gully's and I haven't seen any of them! Here's the links, my sister and I are going to venture there next weekend with the kids. Yes, my dear son is invited if he wants to come. he'll have to check his "busy schedule' LOL.

http://www.gowaterfalling.com/waterf...rksgully.shtml

http://www.gowaterfalling.com/waterf...lingully.shtml

http://www.gowaterfalling.com/waterf...erycreek.shtml

http://www.gowaterfalling.com/waterf...imesglen.shtml

remember to scroll down those pages to get better views!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Loriann, I was raised in Naples. Moved out west almost 30 years ago and STILL miss it. I would move back in a heartbeat if I didn't have a daughter married and settled in AZ, could never leave her behind to move back to Naples.

[zeffryn]

I just finished a batch of ww peach-oatmeal muffins. I also made two loaves of challah bread earlier which are finishing cooling. I'm going to freeze one and bring one over to MIL's house. After the muffins are done baking, I'm going to start on 2 loaves of banana-pecan bread. DH begged me to make a second loaf so he could have some.

[SunshineCA]

Late checking in but I made it!

My weekend went great! Spent a lot of time with my DD. We pretty much had a girl's weekend. All the boys were away so us girls had time to play.

Gained a few pounds within the last week but jumping right into Phase 2 tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it, again!

Wishing all of you a successful week!