ha ha ha Mel- am I ever not racing around like a lunatic???

Laughing about the dark colour concerns from Carla too. The walls are currently dark plum with eggplant trim. I am definitely going lighter.giggle.

Got everything on my list done. Need to make my lunch/supper to take with me. HUGS!!!!!

Hi Ceejay, nice to see you drop in. I saw Bob Greene on Oprah yesterday and wondered about his website. Now I know I don't need to check it out - I hate the money-grab, and really resent shows like Oprah promoting them without mentioning the cost.

Holly, your new colour choices are indeed comparatively light! I think I was worried because of the sad experience of friends who can never get their colours right and are always surprised at how dark the whole wall turns out. When I picked my colours for painting three years ago I was amazed to discover I got them all right. One of my neighbours has walls almost the same colour as your choice of green. It looks great with tobacco brown or taupe or burnt orange furniture.

Mel, you're not a day behind - I realized I still had a few squares of dark chocolate and ate them late last night. So it's square one again this morning. I must say I'm feeling a distinct lack of enthusiasm and am counting on some worldly chick pep talks. Then again, I can just tell myself it's fine as long as I start on the 5th as planned, which gives me tonight to get rid of the two ears of corn in the fridge (yum), drink the last glass of wine, work out a clear diet plan, figure out what to do with the tub of hummus I just bought... I was intending to join WW today, but have put it off until tomorrow or next week. Seeing your list of proscribed foods gives me a clearer idea of the challenge you're facing. Not easy to work out a list of tasty foods you can eat! You need a menu plan that you enjoy and doesn't bite back. I'll keep looking at your list, and if I come up with recipes you might enjoy, I'll send them on to you. (I must say I'd be delighted to have an excuse for saying no thanks to eggplant. Yuck. And lately everyone seems to be serving it at dinner parties.) As for the eyes, since a regular mask won't work, we'll just have to send off to Afghanistan for a burka - just the head part. That would give the oldies in your building something to talk about! Not to mention Homeland Security...

Shad, congrats on the twit-free island! I was going to be sarcastic about waiting to start the challenge, but then fell of the wagon and decided to shut up for once. Besides, you're sick, which should give you a pass. Enjoy the sunsets and a good rest while on Groote!

While I was away out west, I managed to stay more or less on eastern time, usually waking up around 5 am, although I didn't get up until later. And now I'm home, and by day two I was firmly on western time, sleeping soundly to 10 am every day. Why do you think that happens? Anyway, tomorrow I have an early appointment, early work on Friday (nooooooo, don't make me go to work....), and next week three days at work, so this really has to stop.

Bye ladies, to Madcat, Roseblush, Ruth who's having a well-earned rest, Painter, Suzi, and whoever I've forgotten.

Carla--I think Greene's web site is just as you mentioned -a money grabber. I went to oprah.com and the main information that was on his web site was there. I should ask for a refund! I did close the account. He does have a forum, but I'm like Mel, I like3fc.

Mel--Thanks for the ecard and for the offer of his book but I think I have all the information I need. As I mentioned to Carla most of that including Oprah's 7 day meal plan is on her web site.

My main goal is to keep a food diary at fitday.com This is just an easy way for me to keep up with every thing.

TODAY THE MAILMAN BROUGHT BIG SUR AND PUT IN IN MY MAILBOX!!! THE VIEW IS LOVELY AND I WISH I HAD BEEN THERE!! THE ENVELOPE WAS DESTROYED BUT THE CARD IS INTACT AND HAS A SPECIAL PLACE ON THE BOOKCASE!! THANKS SHAD AND CARLA

Morning all from twit free Groote.
It's a beautiful morning. The locals are complaining about the cold. It is apparently unseasonably cold here because the night time temps drop below 20 on some nights. They have all dug out winter woollies and are complaining bitterly. On the other hand it is no worse than Vancouver for me - probably even better if I think about it. I don't think Van, Victoria or SF got above 22 degrees all the time I was there, here it hardly gets below it.
I've been going for a run every morning. Trying to get back into the swing of exercise. It's slow but there you go, can't have 6 weeks off and expect the status quo. It's a miracle I didn't put more weight on. Trouble is, now I have to get it off again. Groote does not help since I don't have to cook and there is a mountain of food just waiting for me each time I go to the Mess Hall. Today, I very determinedly bypassed the bacon, eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms, baked beans, hash browns etc.etc and went to the cereals, fruit and yoghurt. Sometimes sacrifice must be made.

Darn - time for the trainees to arrive. I'll be back.

Still biting and writing! No stupefying surprises on calories (yet). Except that the lowfat McDonald's ice-cream cone is "only" 150 calories. That is SO worth it!! (I'm not sure the 400 calories for a chocolate chip at Starbucks is a bargain, especially if accompanied by a 600 calorie mocha. Yipes, thats almost a whole day's alottment!

I think I'll see if I can get used to the quietude, thanks just the same. I'm going to try to upload the picture I took of my "successful" week-long diary. My mom must have been stingy with stickers, because I'm having a great time making up for it now.

Hope the hat works for your hair-cut debacle. I still have my chemo caps if you want them!

I think I'm lucky that DD gave me some hints on what to eat and how to measure. She was adamant about NO BAD FOODS, and that nothing is "forbidden." Rather, it was about making good choices (both content and quantity.) I have a pretty good idea of how big a cup is, and make sure that I don't eat more than a cup of ANYTHING at one time!! And I'm doing the best I can to have as much variety as possible. I've had more bing cherries this week than in the last 10 years.

I wish someone would give you a list of what you should eat MORE of. What a negative list... to see all that yummy stuff in one place stamped "forbidden." And too bad about the spices... those are supposed to speed up the metabolism... which we could surely use.

Y'all be careful with the fireworks, y'hear?
Best regards.

I'm having the best July! Spending time in the pool, it has warmed up to my dolphin standards Listening to Rob Thomas' new song http://video.music.yahoo.com/up/musi...os--Rob-Thomas on Yahoo. It seems to be a part of the soundtrack for an animated film. Great tune. I had a marvelous visit with my sisters. We made lazyman cabbage rolls which I've been having for lunch all week Big roaster pan full was made My sister used sourkraut in it as well as the cabbage and stuff, super yummy.

Make sure you all wear your sunscreen, zinc oxide it you are going out for an extra long time in the pool.

I had an emotional day. The Mom of my new sitter went off on me big time when I picked up the sitter. She did not have much good to say about me or my kids. I was shocked and then I cried all the way to work.I am good friends with the Dad, from school council.They are divorced. It was brutal.The sitter i have talked-before I left- I called 3 times from work and again tonight. She and I are okay. There were some issues from Friday that needed resolving. She talked on the the phone for 4 hours straight when she was here. DS was a brat trying to get her attention. Needless to say it is resolved.
Today went better. This working for a living really interferes with raising my family.

Hi chicks.

My guests have been using my computer so I haven't had time to get on. Once they are all off to bed I'm too tired to post so I have alot of catching up to do - haven't even had time to lurk. I should be back some time on Friday.

Love to you all, I'm looking forward to getting back into my "groove" again.

Afternoon all,
Found this on the e-mail this afternoon. Thought I might share.

A croc approximately 2.5 m has been sighted at the mine site bridge, can all personnel working in or near this area please be aware of its presence and ensure that caution is always taken near all waterways including the mine site dams. Crocs sighted in work areas should be reported to HSEQ.
http://s18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...ts50707001.jpg

Hope you can see the thing.

PS Happy, Happy 4th July. I know it is a bit late. But I forgot.

How on earth will I ever keep up with you worldly chicks?!?!?!

All is well here - except for a very weedy and wet garden. Today I actually have nothing on the schedule except an allergy shot so I'm off to town for some retail therapy - nothing exciting, just cleaning supplies and a new pepper mill! WooHoo! I sure know how to live, eh?

SHAD~ TOO RIGHT I CAN SEE THE "THING"!!!!!
OMG!!! LIKE SWIMMING WITH JAWS!!! NOW I KNOW WHY THAT POEMS SAYS "BUT DON'T GO NEAR THE WATER". DO THEY GIVE YOU A RIFLE TO CARRY AROUND WHEN YOU TAKE A STROLL??? DON'T GO WANDERING AROUND HOPE HE DOESN'T LIKE BACON AND EGGS!!! HAVE FUN WITH THE TRAINEES AND DON'T DRAW THE FIRST BLOOD!!

HAPPY~ ENJOY!

MEADOW~ SAVE ME A ROLL OR TWO. HAVEN'T HAD CABBAGE ROLLS OF ANY KIND IN A LONG TIME!! EXCEPT FOR THE FROZEN VARIETY AND THEY ARE ALWAYS CHEWY. GLAD THE SUMMER IS GOING SO WELL AND I'LL GO LISTEN IN A MO'. HAPPY SWIMMING!

PAINTER~ JUST TRYING TO BE HELPFUL WHEN I FIRST STARTED CALORIE COUNTING I WAS TRULY SHOCKED! IT'S FRIGHTENING WHAT AMOUNTS YOU FIND....BUT I HAVE TO SAY YOUR COUNT OF THE STARBUCK'S COOKIE WON THE PRIZE!! YIKES!!! I HAVE NEVER HAD ONE THANK GOD! OR THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING ELSE ON MY LIST OF DON'TS!! HAPPY COUNTING AND WRITING!!

HOLLY~ HOPE THE SITTER PROBLEM GETS AND STAYS STRAIGHTENED OUT. IT SEEMED WHEN I HAD TO GO OUT TO WORK, FAMILY & FRIENDS SEEMED TO WANT TO PUNISH ME! HANG IN THERE. IT ALL TAKES TIME GETTING SORTED OUT. THE "SLAVE" HAS A REAL MONEY PAYING JOB AND THE ROYALTY MISS HER FREE SERVICES!!

GOOD MORNING. I WAS WATCHING THE TV WEATHER AND SEEMS LIKE TEXAS, KANSAS AND OAKLAHOMA ARE UNDER WATER! WHAT FLOODING! TERRIBLE. MY HEART GOES OUT TO ALL THOSE HOMELESS PEOPLE.
WE ARE HAVING RAIN OURSELVES FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS ON AND OFF. I HEARD THE FIREWORKS AND ASSUME PEOPLE STOOD OUT IN THE RAIN TO WATCH THEM???? I WATCHED THEM ON PBS TV!
ON TO DAY 2 OF THE CHALLENGE. SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED DAY ONE. ONCE I GET THE COFFEE OUT OF THE WAY I'LL TACKLE THE REST OF THE LIST IN EARNEST NEXT MONTH. TRYING NOT TO CHANGE TOO MANY THINGS AT ONE TIME. THAT'S BEEN THE KEY TO MY FAILURES. SETTING UP IMPOSSIBLE GOALS AND CHANGING MY CHEMICAL BALANCES ALL AT ONCE.
DOING BABY STEPS THIS TIME 'ROUND.
OFF TO THE LAUNDRY ROOM!
HAPPY THURSDAY

GOOD MORNING MISS RUTH....WE POSTED TOGETHER!

The challenge? Is it supposed to be diet related or can it be something easy like giving up sex for a month? Actually I have given up candies - ju-jubes in particular. Yes, all of them - not just the non-black ones.
It's been a strange day of sun and rain - sometimes both at once. I think I'll just snuggle in for the night with my Doggage and see what's on TV. It really feels like fall instead of July but I promise not to light the wood stove.

Ms. Ruth--My grandpa used to say that when the sun is shining and it raining at the same time that it will rain the same time tomorrow.

Mel-I agree that counting calories is an eye opener. I've been to fitday.com and made my carbs, fats and protein come out to 40, 30, 30. to have a balanced diet for two different limit of 1400 and 1600 calories. Did you get bored and come to the journals? I was going to start Bob Greenes today but will start again tomorrow for day 1.

Had some wonderful news today. My sister from Mo. emailed me and said that her son is officially engaged. The wedding is May 17. I've never been to a Catholic wedding and I Am looking forward to it. Can you believe that he's doing most of the planning. I'll be there with bells on and hopefully a few pounds lighter. His fiance is graduating this year from college.
She also sent pictures that she made while I was there at Easter. I was impressed that my legs looked smaller. Boobs are not as perky as they once were. They are not down to my knee's yet.

Today was dentist and doctor day. I got my teeth cleaned but the dentist wanted me to have some more work done. I have some gaps between my teeth that as he put it are holding steak. Good thing I have dental insurance. Then went to the doctor for the allergies that have flared up big time this week. I think it was from mowing this past week. I usually tough it out but had some drainage from my right ear and that usually means my ear drum is infected. it was. I ended up with 3 rx's and an injection of histamine.
I came home and slept until 7 p.m. when the door bell woke me up. The doctor got upset at me for not taking the fluid pills. He said take them every day.