Sounds like a busy weekend for everyone. We are moving into our new office today, compliments of the oldest kid moving out! She removed the last of her things yesterday so today we moved the office desk and some other stuff in there. I'm thinking I will move my painting station and supplies in there too. It is bright and I'm thinking it would make a nice, cheerful painting room too. Now, if I ever have time to paint again!

Janice, sending good vibes your way that you stay OP even if you are working all weekend.

Dee, I am a past smoker and now smoke really bothers me. I can't believe I ever smelled as bad as some of the smokers I'm around. I also can't believe how many of the nurses at work smoke, considering all the people they see with respitory issues because of smoking.

Dee-I bike between 10 and 15 miles on weekdays, and 20-25 miles on Sat and Sun. Good for your mom on the smoking.

Gayle-I love your new picture! Hope your office move went well.

Today will be nice at work. Everyone is on Spring Break. I will be there Mon, Tues, Wed. and take off Thurs and Fri. I had another OP Core day yesterday.

Shelley - you are a maniac on that bike. That is a lot of miles I can't imagine biking for one mile let alone ten. How long does it take you to bike ten miles?
The sun is shining and things are warming up. So nice to be able to get outside.
I hope we don't need to worry about Alzheimers, they have come a long way with new drugs and research. The sad thing is that people that already have it can't be reversed just slowed down a bit.
The lake is finally thawing out can just see ice floating out from shore.

Gayle isn't it great when the kids move out and you get more space? Remember when Jay moved out we changed his sunny south room to a garden room. Bow out the walls and put in garden doors and a large picture window. Larry and I eat every meal in there. It is so bright and cheery.
I hope that you have everything set up the way you want it. Where was your desk set up before?
I am painting my mom a picture for her birthday which is at the end of the month. As I have been painting it I often think of you and wonder if you will take some time for yourself and paint. I know that you enjoy it.
I never thought that my mom would have wanted a painting from me. She is not sentimental at all. She told her sister that she would love me to paint her a picture. I am painting a lake scene with spruce in the back ground.
I sure am glad that you don't smoke any more. It is such a hard habit to break.

Shelley you are putting the miles on that new bike of yours. I guess it isn't that new any more. When I jump on the bike the most that I do is 10 miles and that is far enough for me.
Are you journaling now that you are back on core? You are doing a great job of sticking to it.
Enjoy your quiet time at school. What have you got planned for your extra long weekend?

Janice how did you make out at work this weekend? It sure is windy here today. It is warm but all the sand and salt is blowing around. How close to the lake are you?
That is good to know that there are new drugs out t treat alzheimers. It is a very hard disease on the family.

Larry is busy this week on a course so he won't be coming home monday to wednesday. It will give me a bit more time to get some spring cleanning done. Once it is really nice out I hate being indoors. Yesterday we got the pool house set up and the yard cleaned up. We won't use the pool house yet because the floor is too cold. We like to sit on the deck til the bugs come. We have a bit a snow in the flowers beds yet so we will have to do those next weekend. That is a big job to do because I have a lot of perennials to cut down.
Anybody have any flowers blooming yet?

Work was fine this past weekend. We are about a block from the lake. I weighed in this morning and am exactly the same as last week. I need to drink more water. The snow is finally all gone. We have crocus and some early flowers in bloom. It is supposed to be warm all week, I need to get some yard work done and start cleaning up the yard.
Here is my menu for today
Coffee and Cream
Special K
Yogurt and blueberries
L- Peanut Butter and Jam on WW Bread
Baby Carrots
Snack - Celery and cream cheese
Dinner - Turkey Chili
WW bread - toasted
2 Cups Salad
Light Ranch dressing
Snack - Strawberries with Low Fat Vanilla ICe Cream
Total Calories - 1,472

Janice, don't worry about not losing. Next week you will probably have an amazing weightloss! Are you watching Biggest Loser tonight? I forewarned my family I will be doing NOTHING other then watching the show tonight. Steve teased me and told me he wanted to watch something else. I told him fine, I would watch Ali's TV or even go stand up at Walmart in front of the TV's until the show is over. LOL!

Dee, I want to see the painting when it is finished. I know it will be beautiful! What medium are you using? I'm not sure if I can even paint anymore...it has been over 2 years since I picked up a brush. Hopefully, when things settle in, I can start taking a weekend afternoon and do something creative.

Shelley, I can't believe how well you do with biking. I bet your calf muscles are solid. Does Mike ride his bike too? Steve still wants one, but we keep having other things come up.

Suzy, were you able to get any yard work done or did you guys have rain?

Well, I need to get Ali to school, I'll check in later.

Janice your menu for today sounds great once again. If you have been following your program the weight will come off. It doesn't hurt to drink more water though. You might level out for a week or two and then the scale will go down. Hang in there, this is for life.
You guys are ahead of us with flowers. Hopefully by next week I will see some flowers.
It must be damp where you live if you are that close to the lake. What lake is it?

Gayle I haven't painting in a long time. I have wanted to but I just didn't have the energy. This picture is turning out ok for not painting much. I am using arcrylics. As you know when you paint 90% of the time you look at it and the other 10 % of the time you paint.....lol
Since we haven't had cable in two years my only time I watch tv is at the Y when I am on running on the treadmil or on the exercise bike. I did see a few episodes from the past and I found them very moving. Just for the record while you watch tonight use cans of soup for weights. You can get a good arm workout.
How many hours a week do you work?

I feel so blah the last few days, I don't even know why. I was planning on going downtown this morning to swim at the bigger Y pool but as you see I am still sitting here. I just don't feel like doing it. I want to crawl back into bed. I had 10 hours sleep last night. I don't know what to do.
Maybe it is because Larry won't be home for lunch this week........or because it is kinda grey out. Or maybe it is because I miss Baba and I can't even phone her. It just wasn't expected to lose our youngest mom out of the three that we have. Sheesh she was only 55. Papa has given up and isn't doing well.
I don't know......

My mom and dad are going to see my brother and his family in Ottawa tomorrow. They haven't been there since there youngest was born. He is now 17. My mom was offend the last time she was there. When she smoked they asked her to go into the basement bathroom. I totally understand where they are coming from with a new born baby and being non smokers. My mom had said to us that she would never go back again because for all that she did for them that is how they treated her. No matter how I tried to explain things as gently as possible so I wouldn't be the target of her anger, I could never get her to change her mind. She is very stuborn so she stuck to her word. Now that she quit she feels she can go because she hasn't broken her word. I am really happy that they can go. My dad wanted to drive out there last fall alone but it is just to long of a drive for him. I am glad that they can go together before it is to late. My brother and his wife are also celebrating their 25th anniversary so it is great timing.

Say a little prayer for sad Dee today.

HUGS for sad Dee today... when we lose someone we love, we never know which days will hit us the hardest. I have been at the kitchen counter, cooking and crying my eyes out, just because... a thought, word or action has prompted something to cause me to mourn openly. Did Baba like a special bush, flower? You love gardening, maybe with spring coming, you could plant a special flower in your yard and place...hmmm.. a gecko (I remember the lizard story!) or angel beside it? Think of something special she would of enjoyed and would want you to enjoy. Know and remember she is with you and smiling, knowing what a wonderful, caring person you are.
I'm glad your mom & dad are making the trip, I hope they have a fantastic time!

I work 3-4 days a week at the shop. My day goes like this:
Wake, dress, get Ali to school by 8:00.
On to the shop by 8:15/8:20
Break for the seniors to have lunch from 12:00 to 1:00, if I'm lucky, a few eat quicker and I can usually get back to work by 12:45.
If Steve is back in town for the day, he will pick Ali up and I will stay until 5:00 (when the seniors eat again) If not, I will pick her up from school at 3:00 or 4:00 depending if she has sports or not. I have 2 full days of nothing but regulars (shampoo/sets) then the other day or two is filled with perms/colors extra hair cuts etc. Those seniors keep me hopping! Of course, I usually go to the rooms to pick them up or drop them off, so I end up doing or getting myself into added activities such as helping dress, get letters ready to mail etc. :-) I told Steve if I could actually just go, do hair and have one patron after another come into the shop on their own, not stop for their meals, I could increase my load by an extra 2-3 patrons per day. I then do my own billing, which I do at home. If I get my butt in gear, I can have my billing ready to go and my end of the month paperwork finished in 1 day. This depends on how often the phone rings and how often I stop and get on the computer! LOL!

Dee, won't it be kind of messy for me tonight to be lifting two pots full of hot soup up in the air while I watch my show??? :-)

LMAO Gayle. I could just picture that! Thanks for the good laugh.

After I read the first paragraph of your post I sobs so hard. I have never cried that hard for Vivian before. Tears just usually rolled down my cheeks as I thought of her. I sure do miss her and I can't even share it with anybody because nobody greives. Dez and Jay are in deniel and Larry just doesn't talk much about it. He said he is sad but he doesn't cry. Lucky (Papa) is so sad and sick I don't want to make him feel worse by calling him and telling him how much I miss Viv. It is hard to beleive that it is almost four months and I am finding it really tough right now.
Thanks for the ideas. I think I will do something like that. I like the idea of having a Gecko around.
Your the Bestest!

Dee, I'm sure they are grieving too, but in a different way. Larry is probably scared to open up too much for the fear of falling apart. Why don't you go visit or call Papa? I'm sure he will be comforted instead of saddened to know you are missing her too. He probably REALLY needs someone to talk to...I have a feeling you are just the person he needs right now. Is it close to the monthly anniversary of her death? Maybe you could take him with you and do something as simple as placing some flowers at the cemetary.

Dee ~ I'm learning the hard way that it is important to grieve and cry. The doctor thinks that most of the physical symptoms that I am having are directly related to grief. He said that it's not the same as depression and medications won't help...I just need to let it out, so I've been working on letting the tears flow and not holding them in. It's been 6 months since my dad died and 3 months since MaryJo died...I just keep hoping that it will all get better with time.

Down half a pound this morning YAA!!
Menu for today
3 Coffee & Light Cream
Breakfast - 2 Blueberry pancakes with light syrup
Snack - Fibre Bar
Pineapple slices
Lunch - WW Bagel
2 tsp light margaine
Ham & Light Cheddar
Baby Carrots
Snack - Low Fat Yogurt
Raisins
Dinner - S & S pork tenderloin
Cabbage
Sweet Potato
Snack - Raspberries
Have a great OP Day everyone.

Suzy - my heart hurts for you. I don't know what really helps with grief other than letting yourself feel it and know that its okay to miss your loved ones. Think about them being in heaven and watching over you. I talk to my loved ones all the time and it helps me feel they are still with me. Time does help but its normal to miss them every day. Love you - Janice

Janice, congrats on the weightloss! did you watch the biggest loser last night? I think every single one of the last 4 deserved to win. I thought it was cool, Bernie won the big money.

Sometimes I sit and think how it is to lose someone we love. My dad has been gone 22 years, I still miss him, but it gets easier to cope with. Steve's dad has been gone 2 years, it seems like a long time in some ways and then in other ways, it seems like yesterday. Like janice said, I find comfort in knowing they are in heaven and guiding me as I go through this life.

Thanks for the support ladies. I talked to Larry last night and told him that I am really missing Viv and that I cried for her. He listened and understood. He said that he thinks and prays for Papa everyday.

Suzy I understand fully what you are going through. It is tough but I guess we all go through it. I talk to Viv all the time too and hope that she is smiling down at me.

Janice way to go, the pounds are still coming down. Thanks for posting your menu. It gives me some good ideas. I think that your menus are healthy and plenty of food.

After the gym this morning I walked down to the dentist. I had a good check up, every thing is good. I do have a tooth with a larger filling that I should have crowned. I keep putting it off because of the problems I have with anistetic. There is one that they can use but it is special ordered and doesn't freeze for long. Sometimes only about a minute before they have to give me the next needle.

Nap time, talk to you all later.

Dee and Suzy-Prayers to both of you. I am so scared to even think about the loss of my parents. My dad turns 85 on Sunday, my mom is 84. They both highly depend on each other. I pray when they go, they go together.

Dee-I really like Gayle's gekko idea. I still remember the story also.

Gayle-How are you doing financially with the hair business? Has it been better for you than any other job you've had? I'm sure you can still paint beautifully.

Janice-You are doing so awesome! I am very proud of you.

I am off today, so I'll be going for a long bike ride, then coming home and digging into this dirty house, trying to organize a few things. I don't know where to start! The bike ride will take about 90 min for 20 miles or so.

Shelley - 20 miles!! I am truly amazed by you.
I was down another 1.5 pounds this morning but its not my official weigh day for another 5 days. It drives to crazy when I don't lose for my weigh in and they drop a couple of pounds two days later. Doug and I are going away to a cottage retreat for the weekend. He is turning 60, where do the years go?

Janice enjoy your time together. I hope that you have great weather. Wish Doug Happy birthday from another canadian chickie!
Congratulations on another 1 1/2 down. That's two pounds down this week. Remember being dissapointed that you didn't lose any?
How many menus on your program or do you chose food?

Gayle you do have a busy week with the little ladies. I am glad that you enjoy it.
Are you back on program?

Shelley go girl go! Wow I can't bike that fast. I am sure that you are in as good as shape when you could jog all those miles. It is probably a lot better for your joints too. Do you get a runners high when you bike that fast?

Allsion where are you......I can't see you!

Suzy what are you up to this week but being over worked and taking care of relatives?

This afternoon I am going to try low impact, since I hurt my back I haven't try it. I think I can do it as long as I keep it on the grown. I feel that I am not getting enough cardo.

I think spring has finally sprung here! It was in the 70's today and just beautiful! I got a new baby swing for Isabelle, so we all spent the afternoon outside. I did a little raking, but it's still hard to get much done with the girls here. I have tomorrow "off", so I'm hoping to get a lot done in the yard.

Have a wonderful weekend Janice! What I wouldn't do for a weekend away right now...I'm so jealous!

Shelley and Dee, you both are doing great with all the exercise! I don't know how you do it...I struggle to find 30 minutes a day for the treadmill!

Janice, have fun! I give the two of you permission to act like love struck teenagers! Congrats (early) on the weight loss too!

Dee, I also do mens hair at the shop along with manicures. I have some men that come in every few weeks for a trim. If I have time, I also provide services for some of the staff. It's a whole different world then one would expect, moving oxygen tubes/tanks around, steering wheelchairs, lifting etc. I am also staying on plan with my eating. I am watching my portions and making healthy choices. I could probably lose quicker other ways, but this is working for me.

Shelley, the shop is working out well. Financially, I'm doing better then what I could make around here for my qualifications. The worse part is staying strict about withholding tax money etc. I can't believe the percentage I have to take right off the top for being self employed. I love doing hair, plus I get to work with the elderly and ill which I am fond of. Regardless of the money, this is the most fulfilling job I have had. After getting to know all the residents, staff and their families, it is almost like an extended family.

Suzy, our warm weather must of decided to come visit you! We are back wearing coats and jackets! Have fun in the yard!

Gayle - what ever works for you, look at the weight you have lost. WOW!
I use the biggest loser diet plan. They provide a menu for the day and then you can swap with other foods from the list if you don't like the choices. It is very balanced with lots to eat.
It is rewarding working with seniors. I love them old folks too.
Dee - be careful with that exercise, don't want you to hurt yourself.
We are having warm weather and the weekend is looking good. The challenge will be to try to make healthy food choices. I have been especially good the past few days knowing I will probably be eating out on the weekend.
Suzy - enjoy your day "off".
Hello and good morning to all.

Janice-Enjoy your time.

Gayle-It's so good to hear that you are so happy with your business and helping the seniors. Hey, I'll be a senior on my birthday (55!!)

Dee-I don't go very fast on my bike. I can't seem to get over 13 mph, no matter how hard I try. I have clipless pedals, meaning I have bike shoes that I actually snap into the pedals so that I can get a good up and down leg work. It's still not the same as running. I don't even feel like I've had much of a workout after 1.5 hrs. My legs and thighs have gotten huge from not running. That seems to be the only thing that helps keep my legs trimmer. I guess I'll just have to be happy with big legs and thighs. I'm heading out for a walk now...

Gayle ~ If this weather is from you then thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! It's already 65 degrees and is supposed to climb well into the 70's today! I've been outside this morning washing windows and putting in the screens. It seems so nice to have fresh air blowing through the house!

Janice ~ I do understand about eating out and all the challenges that brings. We stopped at our local diner the other night for dinner and there was nothing healthy on that menu. I ended up getting a grilled turkey and cheese sandwich, but it tasted so greasy that I could hardly eat it. 8 weeks ago I would have been able to eat that and a large order of fries and thought nothing of it. Funny how your taste changes after just a short time! I told Tim that the next time we needed a quick meal that we would be eating soup and sandwiches at home! As for planned meals out we have been going to Applebee's, TGIFriday's and other restaurants that have WW or lite meals on their menus.

Suzy, we had frost this morning! Enjoy the beautiful weather and when your tired of it, send it back to me!

Good morning.
Just a quick check-in. Work is crazy. Life is crazy. Can't wait for June!

I'm having a laser procedure on my varicose veins on the 29th and I'm looking forward to that! Perhaps I'll be able to wear shorts again--but will have to wear a compression bandage (full leg) for 10 days afterward. I don't know if I have enough long pants to wear to cover that up! But I don't know if I want to let it show, either. And no way am I wearing sweats to work.

Allison, good luck with the procedure!!! Will insurance cover such a thing? I have the varicose veins called spider veins. They don't stick out but are just very dark in areas, mostly around my knees. Could you wear long skirts with the bandage?

Gayle~me? Wear a skirt? You must be joking!!! I usually wear capri pants or jeans to work. I only wear a skirt once or twice a year (and it has to be worth it!!). My varicose vein is really bad. It's about 12-14" long and raised and bumpy and gross. DH remarked the other day how bad it looked (which was the impetus to get me to a doctor for a consultation). Insurance will cover part of it, but I'm not sure how much.

Allsion all the best with the surgery. I can't imagine not wearing skirts or dresses when it is warm. I have lots of them and enjoy wearing them.

Gayle can I send my man over for a hair cut? He is about due for one. I could you a manicure too! Hey I have a question for you.....why is it that my toe nails start to fall off after I have nail polish on for more than a few weeks? Larry won't let me paint them any more.
When you got into the business did you think about the extras that you would have to do? I love seniors too! I am glad that you are enjoying it and making some money.
Healthy eatting for life is what it is all about. If you are on a diet you will have to come off of it sometimes and the weight will come back on.
I consider ww's a plan for life for me. I add points on to maintain but I still need to journal and watch what I eat.

Janice enjoy your weekend. Are you cooking most of your meals? BBQ season is great for low fat and so is fish or seafood. When you get back home you can get right back on program. That is what life is all about.
Would you believe that I have cut back on my exercise? I have always put in at least four of exercise a day til I had health problems.

Suzy I am out working in the yard too. I love it outside.
Aww a swing for the little one. You better watch out she is going to grow up too fast.

Shelley did you enjoy your quiet week at work?
Do you think that your legs have gotten bigger from the muscles of biking? When I bike alot my leg muscles get huge, I have to watch that I don't do to much biking. I have always had very muscular legs. Even in school they called me horse legs because they were so big. Guess the one good thing is that the muscle burns more calories. having large muscles also helped me out when I lost mobility of that leg. They shrunk but I still had some strength left.

Time to get back to the yard work.

I am going to see Donald Trump this weekend. He is giving a seminar on how to make money on real estate. Hmm does it sound interesting to any of you?

Dee-I never really thought the biking had anything to do with the huge legs and thighs. Maybe it does. I hate the fact that walking as fast as I can doesn't seem to burn as many calories as biking.

Allison-My friend at school had the vein treatments and is going for more. Her legs are looking so much better. She wore the compression sleeve with no problem. She is in her late 50's and did quite well.

Gayle-I'll send you the sunny Fl weather that is here right now.

Heading out for a bike ride to make my legs bigger :)

Maybe Dee & Shelley legs are not getting bigger, but their butt is getting smaller? :-)

Lol you are too funny Gayle! I guess you will have to come and take a look and tell me!

I would love nothing more then to able to make a trip to see you!

:)

Dee, send Larry on over for a hair cut. while you at it, why don't you suggest it to "The Donald" he needs a new style instead of that horrible comb over. LOL! How was the seminar?
Hmmm.... Do you use a brand of polish with fermaldahyde in it? It could also be an allergic reaction. How do your fingernails do with polish on them?

I made a yummy brunch pizza today. I subbed lowfat on the ingredients when I could.

BREAKFAST PIZZA

INGREDIENTS
1 (8 ounce) package refrigerated crescent rolls
12 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
1 cup frozen shredded hash brown potatoes
3/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
4 eggs
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese

DIRECTIONS
Unroll crescent dough into one long rectangle. Press onto the bottom and 1/2 in. up the sides of a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan. Seal seams and perforations. Sprinkle with bacon, potatoes and cheddar cheese.
In a bowl, beat eggs and milk. Pour over cheddar cheese. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 375 degrees F for 25-30 minutes or until eggs are completely set.

Gayle-That sounds yummy. Too bad it's not Core friendly for me. While I'm on the subject, I still haven't lost one iota on Core yet!

:wave:

???

Hi Cheryl! It's been a long time!! How's the baby?

Welcome back Cheryl! :hug:

Gayle ~ Your breakfast pizza sounds yummy, but I'm guessing that even the low fat version has too much fat in it for my diet. I'm trying to stay at around 20 grams a day.

Dee ~ You're not kidding...these grandbabies are growing up way too fast! Isabelle is going to be a year old next month!

Allison ~ Good luck with your surgery! Tim has horrible varicose veins. He had surgery on them about 20 years ago, but they have come back even worse since then and now there's nothing more that can be done.

Janice ~ How was your weekend???

Poop I lost my post!

Hey there Mama Cheryl how are you feeling? I hope that you are enjoying your new little package. He has to be growing with leaps and bounds.

Suzy I can't beleive that Isabelle will be a year. Time goes by so fast.
How are you doing with your weight? It is a battle but well worth it. It is for better quality of your life and health.
You would think that after 20 years that Tim should be able to have something done to his veins. The surgery should have improved.

Gayle your breakie pizza sounds yummy. Does the hashbrowns get crispy abit or are they on the softer side?
I am not sure what was in the nail polishes. I through out the ones that made my nails fall off. One of the brands was avon, I also had the same problems at salons. My finger nails have been ok because after a couple of days I take it off because it chips.
I will let you know when Larry is in town!

Janice I hope that you had nice weather for your weekend away. It was nice and sunny hear. East of us they were getting snow. Today is a different story, it is rainy, windy and cold.

Allison what have you been up too? I am sure that you are busy at work. We just got the last of our windows dilivered today. Larry will be busy putting in the last 13 of them. He also has to metal clad them too.

We went shopping this weekend for something fun.....

http://www.tab-rv.com/tour/index.php

It is so tiny and cute. One of the reviews said that everyone want to see what it looks like that you can't sit down and relax. They even had someone follow them off the highway to look at it.
I am excited to go camping again. It has been years since we have gone. This is the only trailer that we could pull with our car. It is made with a special light weight material. It has a 10 foot add a room so it will give us some extra space. The material is moon dust and the outside isn't the funky colors it is white and grey. Larry is a lot more conservative than I am. Could you have ever guessed?

Have a good day ladies.