Back from massage. I counted my steps up there and back. Its only a few houses up the street, but was over 900 steps there and back! Oh, how I miss my pedometer! :(

Will check in later, everyone! I need to chill for a while.

:wave:

Just checking in. Might as well get lots of "yakking" on the board, because they are saying that we might get another hurricane, and then I'll be w/o electricity again for another week. UGH!!! We all are praying that this storm will go north out into the atlantic. We have a wall of debris in front of our house from the last hurricane--- 250 feet long and 5 feet high. So now we will have a bunch of missiles flying through the air aiming for our windows. The county here still has not picked up the mess, and who knows when we will get rid of it. It may be months. You can tell that I'm upset.

Talking about upset, I saw that some liberals invaded the RNC and attempted to prevent the conventioneers from hearing the speaker. What a shameful thing. I guess this group of "the annointed" believes that their beliefs are so correct that they have every right to stomp all over the rights of others. It disgusts me that people like this are so intolerant. OK, I've had my rant for the day. I'm just in a bad mood.

I walked about 1.5 miles this morning but did not walk in the neighborhood any more. Worked at the CPC today and visited with a neighbor, and also went to the store. Right now I have close to 11000 steps, but don't know how I got so many. I had my pedometer clipped to my underwear because the waistband of my skirt is so loose. Maybe it didn't register right, or maybe I walk more than I think.

The store was mobbed today. Everyone is buying to stock up for the hurricane. I just got meat for dinner. I figure I don't want to buy anything that needs refrigeration, because if we lose power again, it will be just one more thing to go bad. Boy! am I upset about the idea of another storm coming through. These things are HORRIBLE!!! You wouldn't believe the damage, and some parts of Florida are worse than here.

Well, I'm gonna go watch TV and maybe catch a little of the RNC. Some demmycrat is gonna tell us why he supports Bush, and that should be interesting. I missed Arnold last night. BOB, are you watching any of this. I read in the paper that some of the liberal demonstrators were trying to stop busses with delegates from getting to the convention hall. There was a pix of them in the USAToday. I hope Susan hasn't had any trouble. How obnoxious. "The annointed" strike again.

Take care, everyone. I'll check in later.

Howdy all-- Bill came home with a 2001 Dodge Ram Quad Cab, Diesel pick up. He is so excited. This is his first major purchase and first fairly new vehicle. It is 3 years newer than our truck. Although our truck has the same amount of miles on it, 54,000. I am so happy for him. Dh co-signed for his loan. We told each of the boys we would help them get their first major vehicles. We helped Brant a couple of years ago, and now Bill. I had their dinner ready for them when they got home, and now Bill is off showing his truck to his friends.

Eating was as outlined earlier with the exception of a couple of plums. I did end up trying the huckleberry cheese cake! I made this using Deb's recipe for the crustless cheesecake, and then cooked up some berries and topped it with them. Yum, yum!! Tastes way too good to be legal.....but it is!!

On to some replies.....

Keng-- I am sure you will be a pro at parallel parking. It is a snap once you get the basics down!! I have never lived in a place that had public transportation, we have always been out in the boonies......or close to anyway!! Pathetic as is seems, I have never even been on a city bus.

Monet-- Those 6 weeks will pass so quickly.......you won't even be ready!! Have a great massage.

Country-- I will get even......don't know how, but I will. I did end up having a great day. Very relaxing.

Gator-- I will be praying that this storm will miss you. I can tell this is really weighing heavy on you. I can only imagine the devastation. ((((HUGS))))

Well, that's all folks!!

Good Morning,

I think I am some better today. My arms don't feel as weak. I guess it will just take time. I'm not very patient.

We went out with some friends to Hooters last night. I had some very hot wings. Could taste the hot, but not much else. Funny, meat is the best thing for me taste wise. That and strawberries.

Teensy, glad you day ended up relaxing. I would still be mad.

Monet. glad you got a date for your surgery. Something to aim for. So glad the tests came back ok.

Gator, I can't imagine how worried you all are down there. It could be very dangerous with all the debris around. Praying that you all are spared this time. I always thought I wanted to live in Florida, maybe not.

Ken, hope your spirits lifted and you are feeling better today.

Pancho, Where are you?

Country, glad your mom is doing so well. I'm sure you lift her spirits.

Fruit, I hope you are going to the dr to get that huge cyst checked out. Hope you feel better today. How is the adoption process going?

Well I need to get busy while I have some energy and the presence of mind. Yesterday was definately a "chemo brain" day. Couldn't remember anything.

have a good one!

Well, folks, it looks like the #@%$@@ storm is gonna give us a lot of grief here in the hurrican..., ahem, sunshine state. I'm trying not to worry, but I definitely am concerned. I feel like a sitting duck with the debris piles all over our neighborhood ready to blow everywhere when this storm comes through. I am hoping that it will turn NORTH! Turn North! This one is supposed to be worse than Charley. Yikes. I'm afraid I won't have a house any longer! Yikes.

Everything is sunny here today, and I think I'll take a walk in a little bit. We have the TV on, turned to the weather channel. I was hoping that the tree man working in the neighborhood would come and grind our stumps, but I don't think he is coming.

BOB--Did you watch the democrat speak at the RNC last night? What should one believe? Is he disingenuous or telling the truth? He certainly was a compelling speaker.

I haven't eaten breakfast yet, and haven't even gotten dressed. Need to get ready and get the ole pedometer on. Eating was not great yesterday. I think I eat worse when I'm stressed.

Hope everyone has a great SB day.

Good morning...

What a beautiful morning here, although cloudy but feels great. I prefer cold than hot anytime. I am feeling all" lifted" up today, thank you all. Jess and I went outside for our daily exercise. She rode on her tricycle and chatted to herself while I walked up and down the driveway for about 30 mins. Woo Hooo!! I am proud of myself for extending my walking time and feeling good about it. It feels cool outside so that helped. I will walk again this evening, if it doesn't rain.

I ordered 2 cookbooks from amazon marketplace yesterday for less than 5 bucks...lol. One was "Mable Hoffman, Crockery Cookery" and the other is "Betty Crocker, Quick and Easy". They are both used but in almost new condition. The shipping wasn't bad either. I love Amazon.com. I know I should be buying my pedometer instead I opted for cookbooks...lol, I am obsessed with them...really! lol. The next thing would be getting a pedometer at ebay, that seems to be the best place to get a good price.

Alright...here's my menu for today :

Breakfast : Leftover eggs and sausage casserole. Water.

Snack : Fruits.

Lunch : Baked basa fish, pasta and stir-fry nappa cabbage with onions, carrots, garlic and bean thread noodles.

Snack : Mixed fruits and yogurt.

Dinner : No idea yet.

COUNTRY : WTG on maintaining. Your weight sounds great. I can imagine how great you look. Thanks I am feeling much better today. Thanks for lifting me up. It really helped when I took my focus off myself and how I feel and constant praying if when I felt that I was going to blow. Hope you have a good day!

MONET : Have you order your new pedometer yet? I am guessing you are going to order from ebay? I have no idea which one to get but definitely something simple and cheap :)

GATOR : I watch Frances on the news yesterday, my gosh! I am praying for all of you Floridians. My FIL leaves in West Palm and I am not sure if he will be greatly affected by the hurricane. I need to call him today. Rant all you want, I would be concerned too. {{{hugs}}} WTG in the steps already. Wow...that is sure a lot of steps.

TEENSY : I sure don't miss the public transport back home and the traffic that goes with it :( I love being in the country where we are now. Well, we are a little out but not away from amenities. I love it here. They are farms all around us. Yep, I will concur the parallel parking...lol.

JACK-K : Glad you are feeling much better today. What, you are not patient? Infact, I think you are :)

Got to get my snack now. Will check in later.

Julia

Hi All: Have a splitting headache and a bit of a grouch from it - pain... I am blaming it on atmospheric pressure!!! Looks like we will get the Tropical Depression part of Frances, if the forecasters are correct this afternoon - saying the way she is heading we will not see any problems till Sunday morning - and just lots of rain and a bit windy.... I hope everyone else does well through this!

I had a fantastic time in New England with Deb and getting Michael situated... Yale is an incredible campus. It gave me goosebumps, the gothic architecture and history... I was not impressed with Boston, Harvard, and its area - I was happier in CT. I lost some $ on the slots at the Casino...not too much to complain about, it paid for some entertainment :)

I have to get busy with work! Ta Ta, Sabrina

Greetings from NYC!
 

Hello everyone!

This is one tired puppy, but I'm having a BLAST! I am pumped about hearing the President's speech tonight--but first we have a party at Saks Fifth Avenue! We had lkunch high atop the Reuters building in Times square-- I have only had to buy one or two meals since I've been here.

Speaking of food--don't ask. I'm not pigging out, but I'm eating whaterver I want--including lots of chocolate. I'll get back OP next week.

Security is pretty tight here, but the NYPD has been fabulous! They have been helpful and friendly and enthusiastic. My delegation has been so impressed that we collected money to donate to the Widow and Children's Fund in their honor. In a little over 24 hours I got close to $1,400. We had a representative from the dept come to our breakfast this morning to accept the donation. I just talked to a NY Times reporter about it--I don't think any other delegation has done anything like this.

shopping has been good. yesterday I went out and bought comfortable shoes!

Gator and the rest of the FLA girls, I am praying that this storm goes out to sea. Most of the Florida delegation has left already. Gator--I'm thinking about you!

I've got to go grab a quick nap before we head out again. Tomorrow I am looking forward to sleeping late!

Susan

Good Afternoon:

I am alive! My computer is a piece of crap, as well as my service provider (MSN); I'm thinking of changing, but will make that decision in the next week or two. I haven't been able to get onto this site or check my e-mail for a few days.

I got my new pedometer on Tuesday. I walked 16,829 steps yesterday (that included my workout at the gym). I am up to 4,767 today, and I didn't workout today. I plan to workout tomorrow and Saturday. Also DH & Britt are off on Monday, so I will go to the gym that morning at 6 a.m. and get my workout in.

I went to have my stitches removed today (from the mole they biopsied). It turns out that the mole was pre-cancerous, so it's a good thing I followed through with it. They want to see me every 4-6 months now for a body check to make sure I don't have any others.

I can't possibly catch up with everyone, but here are a few replies:

Monet: Sorry about your pedometer; funny how quickly we can become attached, eh?

Country: Britt is loving, loving, loving school. Lane and I went to have lunch with her today and then she was ready to run off and play with her friends.

TO ALL THE FLORIDA GALS: So sorry to hear about Frances heading that way; how horrible to have two "HIGH" category hurricanes so close together. I will pray for your safety and for your homes and neighborhoods to be spared!!

Ken: I wouldn't say that the Slimsweet has a distinct flavor, but it really doesn't taste like sugar either. It is a mild sweet and I enjoy it.

Jack-K: Thanks for asking about me. I hope you are feeling better today.

Well, I better get going.

I will do better about keeping up now that I am up and running.

Take care,
Nat

Afternoon, just had my 2nd snack, mixed fruits in some plain yogurt. Pretty refreshing. I am in such good mood and energy today, such a difference from yesterday, maybe because Tom is here.

TRANQUIL : Glad to see you back and glad you had a great time with Deb. I have headache often when it is hot and humid but when it is cool, I don't. Hope you get some rest and feel better soon.

FILLISE : You sound like you are having a wonderful time. I can feel the "actions" going on just by reading your post. Dh works in a news station and he is really busy since the convention started. Great job on the donations!! Have some rest.

PANCHO : Glad to hear from you. Sorry your computer and internet service are giving you trouble, hope you find a solutions or either find a good reasonable replacement for them. I am so ready to change to DSL but it is so pricey so we are waiting for the right time. Wow, I am glad your mole is gone now. Hopefully no more to deal with. WTG on those steps, very impressive. I am still hoping to get one soon...lol.

Dinner might be spaghetti and meatballs with a mixed green salad. Will check in later.

Julia

Heading home. Dinner should be fish and a salad. Nothing planned. I'm tired so will hit the couch. I'm glad this week is almost over.

Nat, computers can drive you crazy. Glad you got the mole removed in time.

Gator, sure hope you are safe along with all the other gals down there. Button up the hatches.

Susan, I thought Miller's speach last night was great. Glad you are having fun. Be careful.

Monet, have you found a new pedometer yet?

Ken, glad you are better today.

Tranquil, thanks for the info on Paris. Glad you had a good time with Deb. Hope she gets back on the board soon. Feel better.

Have a great evening.

Oh, I forgot to ask if anyone had a good oatmeal cookie recipe (SB legal, of course). I found one in the recipe section, but it was for thin crisp type. I want something more substantial.

Thanks!!
Nat

Evening! What a long and busy day I have had! I did not get a chance to post until now!

First off, if you need a pedometer, look for one sold by Lloydster on ebay. They have them cheap and with free shipping. I got mine from them, and when it broke, I emailed them to find out if they carried a metal clip one, and explained what happened. Its been over a month since I bought it, but they sent me out a replacement free of charge! I did not even ask for it, they just offered! I plan to continue purchasing from them. That made my day!

Had a morning drawing session with some friends. We drew a still life, and I was really excited about how well my drawings were looking. I used my new anatomy book to do some figures. (yes, nudes) I am pumped! I looked through my drawings from college and it inspired me to see some of my better ones. I thought, hey, if I could do that well then, I can do it again! Its going to take some practice, but each Thursday, my friends are coming over and we will draw. Now if I could just find a model....;)

Dinner tonight was awesome...I made Tom a salmon filet, and scallops for me. I also fixed fresh brussel sprouts and black beans. I feel pretty good and full.

There are a bunch of kittens running around. We are letting the five new ones run free more lately. They are so cute, but its like having two year old triplets in the house! They are into everything. I have about five squirt bottles around the house to train them with. They are up on the table, the sink, the kitchn counters, scratching the sofas, etc. Yikes! One was bad enough, but three is driving me crazy!

Still no decision on Laura's car. This is really getting annoying. I have things to do tomorrow, but she is scheduled to work at 7:30, and way far away from here. I told her not to accept any Friday morning shifts anymore. Being a float, she has the freedom to refuse, and I think she needs a morning off one day a week. Being a full time student AND a full time employee is going to drive her crazy in no time!

Did I mention that I hopped on the scale yesterday? I was up four again. I am 20 over my all time low, and feeling rather frustrated about that. They just increased my thyroid meds though, so maybe that will help.

KENG: I got a book from Amazon today... I use an Amazon credit card, so I get rewards for every dollar I spend. Once you accumulate a certain number of reward points, you get an amazon gift certificate. I pay for everything with the credit card just to get those gift certificates! I LOVE books! If you can find it, get The Low Carb Slow Cooker Cookbook by Kitty Broihier and Kimberly Mayone. I think it is the best one I have found. It has great recipes in it, and they are all Sugarbusters legal, as well as low carb.

GATOR: Thinking of you...Just remember God is in control.

FILLISE: Hey, have fun, but when you get back, its back to the straight and narrow! And don't think I won't come over there and kick your hiney back onto it too.

BOB: Thanks for updating us on Debbie. Now that Michael is off at school she has no excuses not to be on here. I hope her grandfather is ok.

PANCHO: What kind of pedometer did you get? Who did you buy from on ebay? I am sorry you are having trouble with your internet provider. We used Mindspring and loved it, but when we wanted DSL, only Bellsouth served our area. Its ok, but at times it gets slow, or is down. I am so spoiled now, I can't stand it if its slow, or I can't connect!

JACK: I hope you are feeling better and better. When do you leave for Germany? That sounds like so much fun! You will have to drink a couple beers for me. OK?

TRANQUIL: Good to see you post.

COUNTRY: How is your mama doing? I am not looking forward to recovering from surgery. I think it will not be that bad, but I am only truly worried about the anesthesia. I have never been put under. I hate taking sleeping pills too...

TEENSY: So did your hubby ever tell you why he pulled that trick on you? I would be really mad! In fact, I would probably retaliate in some way. I sure wouldn't do any favors for him. Men can be so dense! But if just the two guys went, maybe it was good for them to have some male bonding time. I encourage my husband and son to go do things together....

FRUIT: I hope you are feeling better...those cysts can be really painful! I had one, but it was gone in my last ultrasound.


I sure hope I did not miss anyone. I apologize if I did...I am off to read some, then crawl in bed! Night!

Ahhh...peace and quiet...lol. I ended up having dinner at neighbor's house again...lol. They made some brawurst (sp?), some eggs and potatoes salad and bread, both not legal. Didn't eat too much of those though.

JACK-K : Fish and salad sounds great! Hope you had a good rest.

BOB : Thanks for the update about Deb again. Hope you had a good day.

MONET : I just did a search for Lloydster at ebay but it seems that he doesn't have any items for sale at this moment. I saw some for free shipping today, not too interested. I want a cheap one and most of them has at least $4.99 of shipping cost. I will keep looking around to see any cheap deal...lol. Yep, I am a cheapskate, well, depends on what...lol. That was a nice thing that Lloydster did. I am sure he will get lotsa return customers. As for cookbooks, I don't remember seeing the title you mentioned. I will take a look at it later. I love...more like obsessed over cookbooks. I am trying to take it slow and buy them slowly as not to scare dh off...lol. I can't wait to get my cookbooks next week.

Alright, that's it from me tonight. Got to fold away some clothes and not to mention iron some :(

Night all.

Julia