Schmoodle, your couscous salad sounds delicious!

Cyndi, you look absolutely terrific! Great find!

Ruth, glad you got in a nap! You've got a heaping pile for that bake sale and I'm sure they'll appreciate each and every morsel.

Enjoy your Friday, Carinna!

Evangeline, I would guess it's the SMELL of the breath that wakes you up!!! :lol:

So I did finish my cleaning and *almost* got the laundry done. One more load for tomorrow. Ah, I see it's "tomorrow" already as it's past midnight so now there's no hope for finishing it all before the official weekend. I don't feel guilty. I chose to work out with Tom instead of finish the laundry. We got an incredible session in and my legs are shot! :rofl: I just reread that and realized it could be interpreted in so many fun ways! Really, we were doing an exercise video. Seriously!

Time for a shower and bed. I'm beat!

Kara

I'm not too good at taking pics of myself so you can't see the pants. They are really narrow black capris, very 50s. I thought it made a cute outfit. The other pic is me somewhere near my top weight. It's a first date pic so it gets to live ;) It would make a cute bathing suit. I gave up on that this year. Still couldn't find anything I liked.

How is the ww couscous? I bought a box to try but haven't braved it yet. Any tips? I seem to overcook ww pasta all the time and then it's gross. My Mom made some and it was good though, maybe because she cooked a whole package and it was easier to time?

EofAz, heh, the story about the creepy dog made me laugh out loud. Sounds like a very unique dog. I often wake up to find myself covered in cats, and my DB says I am a crazy cat lady. Though, I'm not sure if any of them lay there and watch me sleep. A few times I wake up to feel a little warm furry body on my chest and eyes glittering in the dark. Adorable! Hope your daughter gets better!

Carinna, amen! :D

Ruthxx, yup that was me. Ah, so that's who they are! That's wonderful how you've adopted them as family. It sounds like you guys have great memories and great times together (whooa, 2 cheesecakes? They certainly can eat! Yum!) The picture you posted is adorable; the pup is so cute (may she r.i.p) and the girl is lovely, her eyes are such a striking color. Cute! :D

CyndiM, you look great! How do I get amazing arms like that?? Your new top is so cute. :D

Schmoodle, couscous is so delicious. It's been one of my favorite foods for a long time. Any chance you'd post your couscous salad recipe? :p

Tomandkara, yeah yeah suuure that's what you were doing! lol! :lol: (Just kidding!) Good night! :D

Back to CyndiM again, I think your outfit really was well chosen and I swear I can see defined abs underneath your shirt, what are your secrets? You are the Exercise Queen of the SB forum, what sort of exercises do you recommend? I'm very eager to know.

Cyndi, ww couscous is very easy to use, you don't really "cook" it so I've never had a problem with overcooking it. You just boil some water, pour it over the pasta (2:1 water to couscous), add a T of olive oil if desired, cover and let it sit until it's done plumping up and all the water's absorbed. You can use broth instead of water or add bouillon cubes for extra flavor.

Melanie, I don't really have a recipe, usually I just chop up a bunch of stuff I want to use up and mix it all up, but here is what I did tonight:
2 cups couscous made as described above (with bouillon), then poured about 1/4 cup of lemon juice over it, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 chopped cucumber, about 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved, one yellow tomato, chopped, 1/2 onion chopped, 1 cup of peas. Mixed it all up, then topped with fresh basil, and some curls of Parmesan cheese. This made a ton though, so you might want to halve it if making for fewer people.
Sometimes I add tuna or chicken, chopped egg, capers, whatever you like and have around. It's great for using up all those leftovers and veggies that are getting a little past their prime. This is one of DH's favorite summertime dinners.
I made it look really pretty, and you know what? Most people didn't even taste it. They went for the Ramen noodle salad, fried chicken and macaroni and cheese pretty heavily though.

Well, I enjoyed it, and those that didn't get intimidated by all the veggies said it was good. Good thing I liked it because I'll be eating it for a couple of days! I am feeling superhuman right now because I resisted the brownies, homemade chocolate chip cookies, blueberry pound cake, and cupcakes. Go me.

Well, the kids are staying at Grandmas, and DD1 is out somewhere, so I am all alone in the house, which I enjoy greatly. I am going to read and listen for hamster noises. We have one on the loose and with all the quiet I'm hoping to hear her scratching around somewhere.

Schmoodle - That sounds like something I'd like. I'll give it a try!

True confession time - the abs are the result of sticking faithfully to my PT exercises for months. I have a couple of severely herniated discs so pain was a great motivator. I'm a relaxed exerciser. I spend about an hour a day doing some kind of cardio - either walking or biking. Honestly I walk 3 miles which is pretty laid back compared to lots of other people. I also do yoga a couple of times a week, 1 class and 1 dvd and I should be doing my PT exercises every other day but I've slacked a lot this summer. I also do a basic arm workout with weights a couple of times a week - maybe 15 minutes. I am starting weight training this fall, which I'm really excited about. It's unlikely I'll ever be one of those super cardio folks. Between the back and arthritis in my knees my choices are a bit limited. I do love the exercise I do though and really have become addicted to it. I was a total couch potato before and never believed people who said they got hooked on exercise but it's true! I really miss it if I skip a day. The best part is my metabolism is really ramped up. More info than you asked for ;)

Hey everyone! Last night My Christ Cradle bloomed...It's such a fabulous bloom, that only blooms once, and only at night. I've been trying to get pix for a while, and finally got some pix. I've made a collage and am trying to post it to share with you all. I'm good, This birthday season is taking a toll on my SB plan... Have a good evening everyone.

P.S That's Hank, my baby as my new avatar...