Weekly thread 11/4-10
 

Here’s to another OP week!!!! I really need to catch up on what I missed.

Good morning :) I am really going to need quite some time to catch up on what I’ve missed. My trip went really well. The ride was pretty and I certainly stopped frequently which helped. My parents new home is absolutely lovely. Was fortunate to see my nephew, step sister and brother in law too. DS is anxious to be on his way to Ft. Rucker, but his orders did not come through yet. So the hurry up and rush to get his car to him didn’t matter lol. We did have a nice visit. One day we went to the aquarium in Atlanta. Boy did we laugh during the sea lion performance. Leaving him is always hard, especially when I see soldiers in the airport. The mom in me had to go over and talk to them. I treated them to breakfast and chatted with them. I actually met a lot of nice people in the airport that day. I had a lot of time to kill due to storms in NY my flight kept getting delayed. When we were finally notified the plan was going to leave I decided I would check my bag at the sky way ramp (they asked people to do so to make boarding quicker). The agent had met me earlier when I was with the soldiers. She wouldn’t give me a tag because she bumped me up to first class and they had full size overhead compartments. She made me cry at the airport!!! Never flew first class before. LOL I missed all the first class goodies as I slept from boarding until our final descent. I must have been tired.

Once home it was right back to work. As you can imagine lots going on at work. Also Coconut is having bladder control issues. Blood work and symptoms are leaning towards Cushing Disease. Need to schedule an ultra sound to have a definitive diagnosis. He’s 12 so I know I need to be a little realistic too.

Joe is off to Ohio for hunting this week, which is good for me staying OP lol. I wasn’t great on my trip but I wasn’t super terrible either. I came home up 2. Managed a huge swoosh and hit my goal for October. Great motivation for November as I have my annual with the OBGYN this month. I like to be the same or less than the previous year.

OK time for a second cup of coffee and some reading. I’ll try for personals later today. Hope everyone is well. Missed the chicks while I was off the grid lol.

Hi Jennifer! Sounds like you had a really nice trip and visit. I assume Coconut is a pet. It's hard, I've got an 18 year old cat, and the vet keeps trying to send me to eye specialists. But I'm not going to extreme measures and spend a fortune, as long as she's happy and comfortable.

It’s a beautiful day, and I’m finishing up coffee and headed out to take a long walk through a nearby small town. Their historical society has a walking tour posted so I’m going to check it out. Then to the orchard for some apples (though I won’t be able to eat any for a couple of weeks ☹), and I may hit the Mennonite market butcher. Hope to do some yard work while the weather holds – I’ve got an overgrown patch of day lilies I need to dig up and divide, and I want to see if I can fix my washing machine. I had a repairman out last month to fix it and he said the belt had slipped off. That sounds like something I should be able to handle, and a new one is not in the budget right now. Otherwise, I'm just in the mood to see what the day brings.

Good morning,

It's rainy this morning but is supposed to stop and is supposed to be 70 today, crazy weather we are having that is for sure and it is messing with my allergies. Scale is back down so even though we are in November I am going to call 4 lbs loss for October and start fresh for November going to go for 4 again. Last night I wanted to go off rails and eat something I shouldn't but managed to talk myself out of going off plan. Not sure what is on the agenda today, I did all of the house cleaning yesterday after work so that is off my list.

Jekel welcome back, sounds like you had a lovely time on your trip. That was sweet of the gate agent, love hearing stories like that.

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Good morning,

Everyone sleeping in due to time change? It is another gray day with 70 degree temps, the humidity is super high it just feels weird. lol. Yesterday DH and I went to breakfast and then to an antique mall to walk around. Then I came home and binge watched Stranger things on netflix. Not sure what we are doing today.

Have a great day everyone!

I’m up....have been since 5:30 lol or 4:30 depending on the time change. DS is trying to convince me to watch Stanger Things. I told him when I FINALLY finish Grey’s Anatomy. I think I am almost to where I started watching in on TV as the character connections finally make sense. We have your rain today albeit still in the 50’s which is normal temps for this time of the year.

Schmoodle I remember going to wonderful Amish / Mennonite dairy farms when I was in Ohio. Oh the cheese samples were just sinful. We brought back bacon which I froze to enjoy it as long as possible. The quality of meat at a true butcher is worth the price IMHO. Hope your washer repair goes smoothly.

Yesterday was very productive except I didn’t do any outside yard work. A little to chilly for me. I purged and I mean purged clothes from my closet. Three full bags for donations plus another small bag of jeans. I decided why am I holding on to clothes that don’t make me feel good when I wear them. Some have not been worn in years. Others (happy to say) are just too big. I finally took the AC out of my bedroom window. So that meant clean the windows and curtains too. Switched out to the warmer bedding so at least my room and the upstairs is clean. Today I will tackle the downstairs, food prep, cook and get ready for the work week.

I heard from one of my Army mom friends. She drove her son’s car to him this weekend. His orders, like my son’s, are on hold. He told her they are holding them so they can go home for Thanksgiving. Keep your fingers crossed this is true. It would be so nice to have Home home for Thanksgiving. DS was going to put in a leave request when he got to his duty station for Christmas. I reminded him we have always been flexible with when we celebrate holidays due to my job and the divorce. Whenever he comes home we’ll celebrate whatever holiday he prefers.

Time to finish my coffee and hit the gym. I’m sure the TV monitors will be on the NYC Marathon today. That should prove quite motivating. I have a college friend running in it for the first time. She suffers with a chronic pain disorder. About a year ago she decided to start running to hopefully help with her condition. She has lost over 60 pounds and has run several half and team marathons. She looks and feels great. I believe she has some personal issues she is dealing with too. I tell her she is really an inspiration.

Happy Sunday!!!!

Yesterday was a beautiful morning so I'm glad I got out to run errands. I remembered there was a laundromat near where I planned to walk, so I got a few loads in to keep us going until the washing machine is repaired, and got my down comforter and winter spread washed, so bring on the cold weather! I hit a good sale at the orchard - $1/bag for small apples, and I got 22 apples in that bag! I like the smaller ones for snacks anyway. Apples from the store are so huge I feel like I'm eating two sometimes. And $1.50 for good sized pie pumpkins, so I grabbed a couple of those. Hope I didn't go overboard; I constantly have to remind myself that I'm only shopping for myself and DS. I never did get to the yardwork. I was so achey when I got home, including my head, I ended up taking some Excedrin and lying down for a while instead.
Today is gray and drizzly, so I'm going to do some cleaning and food prep and maybe do some work work. And today is my "official" start day, so I updated my weight on Fitday, and started a HealthyWage bet. I made some spinach and feta quiche cups this morning and later I'll make a big pot of vegetable soup for dinner and for my lunches this week.
My goals for the week: Strict Phase I; count calories (1500 - 1800), make sure I'm drinking all my water, daily stretching, and 20 mins daily walking. I know my exercise goals are pitiful, but right now I feel like that's all I can manage, and I don't want to go overboard and get frustrated. I think I'll be WFH Mon-Wed this week, and holiday on Friday, so it should be a good week to get things rolling.

Rose, I watched the first season of Stranger Things and thought it was pretty good. I watched the first couple of episodes of Season 2 last weekend and it looks like it's going to be as good or better. but I haven't gotten back to it yet. Maybe I'll watch some today while I'm doing paperwork.
Jennifer, fingers crossed that you'll have your son home for Thanksgiving!

Schmoodle don’t down play your exercise. Walking 20 minutes per day is huge!!! Positive changes in lifestyle go a long way. Sounds like yo have a great plan for the week. I love the smaller apples too.

Good afternoon chicks,,

I am really sorry I haven't post in the past three days. I been busy and haven't had time until today to sit by the computer, I tried to use my phone but for some reason I kept getting lock out the site :(

My mom arrive Thursday afternoon and the boys are super happy with her. DS2 had his play on Thursday and Friday, the play was fantastic and the kids are already discussing about the next plan LOL. I was all day yesterday running errands and visiting family with my mom.

I wake up this morning at 4am, DH had a 6am flight and I just couldn't go back to sleep. We went to mass at 10am and now I am taking DS2 to the barber shop for a hair cut and then mom wants to take the boys out for ice cream. I do hope i can say no to ice cream. Last week I didn't lost any pounds so for the month of October I lost 5lbs and I am hopping I can lose another 5lbs in November. This is going to be a little hard since I will be out of the house most of the time. I love when family comes to visit but it makes it hard for me to eat OP.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Sunday!

Hi chicks!

I am back from a science teacher conference. It was conveniently located in the same city where DS1 and my parents now live so DH came along and we got in some visiting. I had one splurge meal but also made many good food choices; I know I will be up tomorrow on the scale but I will make that my NOvember start weight. I am going for 2 really clean OP weeks before Thanksgiving.

Jennifer, glad you had a good visit! Hope you get to see DS later this month.

Isa, 5 pounds for October is great! Keep doing what you have been but don't be too hard on yourself if you slip up.

Schmoodle, your goals for the week sound good. Feel free to post menus or ask questions. We all feel like checking in here is key to staying with the plan.

Ok, I've got to do some laundry and get organized for tomorrow.

Happy Monday everyone!

Last night we played cards ans dominoes with the boys. Today, I will be driving mom in the morning to visit grandma and then we are going shopping. Not much going on today, I also need to go grocery shopping either today or tomorrow.

Beth, that is so nice you got to visit family while in teacher conference :)

Have a great day!

Good morning,

I was up early but refused to get out of bed until my alarm went off, it goes off early enough anyways. Today is wfh but have a lot of conference calls today. Today there is a band parent meeting for a fundraiser, don't really want to go but I will, this is the 4th fundraiser in a month. Weight went down a bit this morning so was happy for that.

Jekel I do hope your DS is able to come for Thanksgiving.
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Schmoodle I also have a healthywage bet, keeps me motivated

Beth that was great been able to visit with family at your conference. I am going for clean eating as well though I am going to Fl Nov 17 to 20 so that will be a challenge but I will manage

Isa sounds like you are having a good visit with your mom, 5 lbs is great for one month, keep up the good work

Ruth hope you had a nice weekend.

Have a great day everyone!

Good morning! Just a quick flyby this morning, WFH but much to do today. Yesterday was good, I stayed on-plan, maybe didn't eat quite enough. Happy I've got a plan today, but I forgot how many vegetables I need to have on hand to keep up with this! I'll manage with my frozen stuff until I can get to the store. Pounding headache this morning but I'll power through. Have a great day all.

Evening chickadees

Beth so glad you got some family time in this weekend.
Schmoodle your headaches could be South Beach Flu. Beans or dairy might help.
Pearlrose glad the scale went down. Hopefully the band meeting won’t be too long.

Busy day at work (well not crimewise) Went to the range to practice before my annual qualifications next week. Was very pleased with my off duty. The new range instructor was my academy instructor. She was awesome!!!! She made a modification to my hand position and just like that I felt like Annie Oakley. Rushed home to make my doctor’s appointment only to learn it is next week (oops). So an early dinner and some indoor bike time. Decided to keep Coconut company instead of going to the gym. He has his ultr sound Thursday. Hopefully I’ll have a definitive answer soon.

Hope everyone has a nice relaxing night.

Hey chicks. Not much new today; lots of busy-work at school but I got it done. The scale was only up 1 pound from the weekend so I think that is a small success. I still want to get at least a pound off this month so I am planning on watching my food carefully. I did not get in a walk today so I will make extra sure tomorrow.

Sounds like everyone else had a busy day today as well.

Have a great evening all.

Good morning,

Getting ready to head into work, have lots of meetings scheduled for today. Tonight is haircuts for me and DD2.

Have a great day everyone!

Didn't sleep well last night so I'm just getting started and no coffee yet, ugh. And it's a gray, drizzly day, so double ugh. On the positive side, my head is better, I get to work from home today, and have two on-plan Phase I days under my belt. Phase I is kicking my butt more than I remember physically, but then I'm older and also battling sinus issues this week. I've been getting my dairy servings but short on the beans, so I think I'll make a batch of refried for lunch today and hopefully I'll start feeling better soon.
I had a couple of family members trying to spin me up over divorce stuff yesterday, and then came across a couple of brownies from the weekend that I missed when I threw out the off-plan temptations, but into the trash they went and I wasn't tempted. :carrot:

Beth no doubt you will lose that pound. That’s great considering you were away this past weekend.

Pearlrose hope you and DD enjoy getting your hair done. Funny how we wash our own hair, but when someone else does it, it always feels so nice (or I am the only one that feels that way LOL)

Schmoodle great job throwing out the hidden brownie. That is a HUGE victory!!!

All is well here. Just finishing up my work day. When I get home it will be the gym. I did get the contractor to knock $500 off my bill. I can live with the imperfections lol. I asked Joe for a miter saw for Christmas. I want to replace trim in a few rooms and could use one. He thought it was a funny request. After the holidays I thought I would tackle the laundry room. It is way overdue lol.

Otherwise food is OP. Scale is one pound under my goal weight for 3 days in a row, so I know the loss is real from last month lol. I have my annual OBGYN appt on the 21st. I would like to be down another 3 pounds to ensure I am under last year’s weight. I am using my fit bit and lose it app to track my food and calories. It was time I got grippers (to quote my mom) and get serious again.

Hope everyone enjoys their day.

Hey chicks.

Have had 2 good days food-wise and this morning the scale had already moved back down the pound from the weekend. Like I said, I made mostly good choices on my trip and when I splurged on dessert DS1 was there to eat most of it for me. lol We are going into a very cold spell; Mother Nature is confirming we have turned the calendar page over to November. The Farmer's Almanac says a bit on the warm side with lots of snow so we will see.

Schmoodle, great job throwing out the brownies! I find after a few days of OP eating I get into a groove and don't want to ruin it and it becomes a little easier.

Jennifer, a miter saw for Christmas makes me smile. I remember one year DH gave me a rototiller and my SIL thought it was hilarious.

AMT, welcome and feel free to chip in with any questions, thoughts, frustrations or successes.

Have a good evening, chicks.

Good morning, chicks. Another (hopefully) quiet WFH day for me. Still doing well with Phase 1 and those first "easy" pounds are starting to come off, plus starting to feel better already. I'm having coffee and my mini-quiche and I'm really enjoying these for breakfast this week. I packed them full of spinach and a little feta and they are tasty! I made them in the Instant Pot this time and I think I like the texture better than oven-baked.
The only area I'm lacking is the walking, it's been hit or miss. I missed yesterday because it was so gray and rainy all day. I'm going to try for two walks today to make up for it.

Jekel, you sound pretty handy. I sure wish I had someone like you around this house! What do you know about washing machines?
Beth, congrats on getting that pound off so quickly.
Good morning Rose, ATM, and whoever else shows up.

Good morning!

I've been following it's just been crazy around here. Kirks daughter finally left Monday and we are one week from leaving for Alaska. So many details. Also working extra days at the restaurant to as someone else has been on vacation.

It turned cold here. We have snow on the ground and it seems like winter. Oh well. Just enjoying that last cup of coffee before I warm up the car to head out. Love you all!

Good morning,

Wfh day for me, though I am waiting for appliance repair to come look at my washing machine, DD1 came over to do laundry and the washer would not go into spin cycle just there with a full tub of water. I immediately put in a call for the repair guy and they are going to fit me in today, hopefully it is just something minor. I did lose it though when I found out DD1 put her sopping wet clothes in my dryer, made her pull them out and there was a huge puddle of water at the bottom of the dryer. I dried it out and am hopeful no damage was done to it. The scale went down a half a lb today, baby steps.

Jekel that was great that you were able to get the contractor to knock some money off the bills, did they mess something up?

Schmoodle, I can fix minor stuff but am clueless for stuff like the washer machine.

Beth yeah for the scale moving, tomorrow will be a test as one of my employees is retiring so there will be cake for that and I am picking up the donut fund raiser tomorrow morning to deliver to everyone at work and I am bringing some I bought.

Debbie I think you are in Alaska now is that right? Looks like we were posting at the same time- hope you get everything ready to go for the trip :)

Hi to Isa and Ruth

Have a great day everyone!

Happy Peak of the Week, everyone.

Nothing to report here: work, stayed after with my club, squeezed in a mini-walk before coming home. I am really proud of myself for putting beef stew in the crock pot this morning so dinner is waiting.:carrot: It is that kind of weather: very chilly. I have been thankful for the remote start on my car the last few mornings.

Schmoodle, I love those little quiches and still make them. I need to re-stock this weekend; I find they freeze well and so I make a couple batches at a time.

Have a good evening all.

Good morning chicks,

I been busy with mom taking her shopping and visiting family. I am trying to stay on plan but mom is cooking and I been eating more carbs that I should have.

The boys are getting ready to go to school and I am enjoying a cup of coffee. Later this morning mom and I are going to get a pedi and manicure, no much in the agenda for us. I also need to finish laundry and pick up DH at the airport at 5pm.

Schmoodle, I used to make those quiches and the flax seed cinnamon muffins. I been craving the chili chuck full of veggies, I might make some next week :) I also need to see if I can find the recipe of the flax seed muffins.

Beth, beef stew really sound good for dinner. I will be having a Spanish soup that mom is making, called Mondongo in English is called Tripe soup(not my favorite, it is made out of the stomach of the cow) but my husband loves it. I normally eat the soup and the meat but not the tripe.

Pearlrose, I hope you washer was fixed. Yay on the half pound!!

Have a good Thursday everyone!

Good morning,

I headed into work this morning, one of my employees is retiring so her party is this afternoon and I am in charge of it. Washer was fixed yesterday, needed a new drain pump, old one had a sock in it? I asked how that was possible and he said there are two drums in and outer so it must have fell over the outer one. At least it's fixed. It was cold this morning 31 degrees had frost on my car, Beth I could have used your remote start lol

Isa you just have to make the best choices you can while your mom is there and enjoy her company :)

Beth good for you getting a walk in, I need to fit one in today as well.

Have a great day everyone!

Good afternoon chicks.

We had our fall staff development day today so I worked but didn't have kids which is always a nice change of pace. Found some OP food for lunch (salad and such), then even got out a little bit early. :)

Pearlrose, I never had a remote starter until last spring so I am really enjoying it.

Have a good evening all.

Hi chicks!

We have today off from school for Veteran's Day so I am sipping my coffee and admiring the sun shining on the snow.:fr: It's only a dusting but still....I am also patting myself on the back for utilizing that sunny Saturday 2 weeks ago to finish my yard cleanup; I actually thought about procrastinating until this long weekend but I am SO glad I didn't!

Today DH and I need to go grocery shopping since I was away last weekend and never went. The refrigerator is pretty bare.

Other than that I will do some cleaning and laundry and maybe find the time to read a book for a bit.

Have a great Friday everyone.

Good morning,

I am wfh today was supposed to go in for a meeting but was able to get out of it. I will miss the veteran's celebrations at work today but tomorrow DD2 is in a parade. Tonight DH and I are going to college basketball game. Yesterday was definitely an off plan day of eating so it's back to Phase 1 for a few days to counteract it.

Beth enjoy your extra day off :)

Have a great day everyone!

Hi Chicks,
Yesterday was my long day, I'm on the road for 5 - 6 hours and most of the day on client site, but I packed all my food and stayed on plan. :carrot:
It's been a busy morning, just getting a chance to sit and post and just getting around to eating breakfast. I'm out of quiches so it's plain yogurt for me. I'm off today, but I may do a little work anyway and also try to get a jump on weekend errands and chores. Making my shopping list and menus now. So, in other words, nothing exciting going on per usual.
DD2 may stop by this afternoon, she is on her way from college to a Quidditch tournament and will pass right by. It would be great to see her, but she's not sure - she is riding with a new boyfriend and not sure she's ready to have him checked out LOL. She'll be home soon anyway for Thanksgiving.
Then it's pizza night at my SIL's house. I'm the dessert person, so I may make an apple cake, but I'll stay away from it. I don't want to ruin my efforts, Phase I has been going amazingly well so far. Maybe I'll make some bean brownies for me.

Muffin (Isa?), I forgot about those muffins. They were pretty good. You just have to have a big glass of water at hand to make them go down!
Beth, sounds like we have the same day planned...
Rose, WFH is the best! I love my WFH days, enjoy it.

Okay, off to start being productive!