Holy moley, Judy. You've quite a messy situation brewing at work. Don't you wish you could just do your job and the office politics be obliterated? Politics at my district is at an extreme level and people are just plain rude. You don't want the details, just know that I can empathize. And that you're eating on track is awesome. I went to Dairy Queen today to calm down. I had a sundae for lunch and put my healthy lunch in my fridge. Perhaps tomorrow my co-workers won't drive me to eat. See you're doing great not doing the DQ. And I loved the Kai the Love Puppy written out. That'll stick now, you know!
Carol, I also drive 18 miles to work. As much as I love Darth Jeep and Yellow Jeep, I have to limit my trips so that I take the Eclipse that gets 35-39 mpg (35 is with AC). We're up to $4.29/gallon so I only use one instead of two if I drive it. I do think after two days of economizing, I'm going for the fun drive tomorrow.
Elyn, enjoy the rest of your vacation. What I've done when posts go bye-bye is to write them in Word, then cut and paste them in. That has saved me loads of time when the connection is bad.
Penny, did you go to the coast? It's so nice out right now I can imagine the coast is perfect.
Juls, how's that ankle, I've been thinking about you since Friday!!!!!
I've been naughty with the food. I'm an emotional eater and DS2 is causing more problems. Remember mother's day - fast forward to father's day and repeat and he didn't pass his college courses so he's done with that as he can't get financial aid until he proves himself again - our deal was he could live here rent free while going to school so he's moving out. I know it's bad that I'm doing the happy dance because of the college fiasco, but I'm so THANKFUL he's moving out. My bipolar is tenuous without meds in great circumstances - he has not been helping. Anyway food isn't good (but also not horrible on an ongoing basis - just slipups so that's better than in the past). The bronchitis is slowly better but the asthma is not good. I have started exercising again. Today was the first day for doggie walking and I made the walk without too much problem. Of course I used the inhaler before leaving the house. I've done laps in MY POOL on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Today. At 1/4 mile each swim, that's a mile. DH and I biked 6.5 miles on Sunday. So I'm doing ok. I've very careful not to push the heartrate as my lungs couldn't handle it. I figure slow and easy is much better than not at all.
OK, that was way more long winded than I expected. My favorite author release her latest today and I'm already hooked on the audiobook. So back to Janet Evanovich's #14 book. YEAH!!!!
Marie
Marie what book is it that your going to get? I am into reading this summer for some reason every night before bed if its even for just a few min. I am game to try something new. You are both right office politics is crazy and I am so glad for the most part they are gone. We hired a young man whom has a baby and a family. He is so sweet and just eager to do a good job. I really think he is going to be good it took the 3rd interview for him to get hired and at us saying why don't you hire him now we are all happy they did. One more hire and we will be back to full staff. Last night I had a meeting at 4;30 the family canceled after my 26 mile hike to the location so I held the meeting with whom was there and now have to meet again thurs. at the same time. Crazy so my stress lead me to hunger and it was 2 hrs. past my normal dinner so I stopped for a sub.... Not so healthy after my good day up to that moment. So today I will try to have a full day of being on task and not let the job get the best of me. I am putting up a fight this time. Marie I was once told by a nutritionist if you want that ice cream replace it with a meal and your all set so see you did better than me. The bread I ate was worse for sure.
Judy hope your week is starting off better this week. If people would learn to do what they were hired for and not forget they get paid for what they do things would run smoother I think.
Well off to another day I did slip in a walk and stairs yesterday for exercise while at work. I am going to fit it in again today. Thurs. I will go to the gym in the a.m. as I will be working late got to get back there. My back is better until I do something stupid and then back to hurting so I am trying to learn what bothers it.
Today, I am aiming at better choices, walking and staying on track!!!!
Judy - I hope your work environment improves soon. None of us need the extra stress on the job. I often wonder why people go out of their way to make life difficult for others! Good for you staying on track. I hope your scale cooperated.
Carol - I'm glad you got your computer fixed. It sounds like you have been busy, busy as usual! I hope your back is feeling better.
Marie - I hope things will be a bit less stressful for you when your DS moves out. I've gotten used to the "empty nest syndrome" and I quite like it. Although I love our DS dearly, I don't know if I'd like to have him living at home again. I hope the "politicians" at work who make life difficult will give you a break so you won't need any more trips to DQ!
I just dropped my DH off at the airport. He's going to be in PA till Saturday. I'm quite liking the alone time. I feel sorry for him as he's going to a sales meeting, which he hates, since he's a "techie" and prefers the technical side of sales as opposed to the BS. There have been rumors of a major shake up at our main supplier and they may go to direct sales instead of having reps like us, so we may need to take our business in a new direction soon.
We went to the Oregon Garden on Sunday - it was wonderful and the weather was fantastic. We went there several years ago when it first opened and it has changed so much. All of the plantings are now mature and it's an amazing place. It's only a 45 min. drive from us, so we're planning on going much more often.
Food has been ok so I'm hoping to be down another pound by Friday .
Oh I feel snug in these jeans and I am not liking it much this a.m. Time to do some serious changes so guess I better get into the dietary mode huh? It creeps up fast. Well a few goodies here less salads etc. and before you know it snug clothes again. Wow and of course my back didn't help much. I need more than ever to get to the gym take a little advil ahead of time I think. At night I still take it when going to bed as that is the time my backs uncomfortable.
Penny so many changes for everyone working these days. Sorry to hear its hitting in your business too. I think everyone is slapped one way or another. Crazy huh. People work for years establishing themselves and then one day it just changes without us really doing anything wrong to make that change. I hope all goes well for you and the hubby. For me its the gas mileage that is tough 18 miles in and back and then my work driving. I am trying to change my ways of doing things but it still hurts. I did get gas for 4.19 yesterday and that was a blessing.
I am scheduling myself to take some fridays or mondays off in the future so one less day of driving in. I am off on friday taking my mom to get a walker and out to lunch. Due to my working later a couple of nights covering a case for someone I have extra time in at this time. Its even done us in on our camping we are only taking one trip which is an hr. and half away the rest will be very close to home. So sad but some people have it much worse than us and my heart goes out to them. When will it all stop? I think we all work hard and life should be easier not tougher.
Oh well gotta get ready for work now. Little Bear is full of it today. I was getting dressed and the little monkey was trying to pull on my pant leg. He does make me laugh but sometimes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Take care.
OK, that felt good. Lousy work week but the evenings have been great. Tonight was the BEST swimming evening. After work I floated on the pool, listening to Janet Evanovich's Fabulous Fourteen Penny, start with The first one, I think it's One for the Money. The series is so fun and wonderful. I haven't met anyone that's read the books that haven't loved them. We all hold our breath for the next one to come out (mid-June). So I was floating, listening to my ipod and laughing. When I got out of the pool, DH said I take it the book is funny. Oh what an understatement. The characters are like best friends. So after floating, DH and I swam laps (quarter mile), then there was NO WIND. A rarity. So we played on the diving board. I did so many back dives, I had to stop as I was getting tired. I switched to front dives, no effort or skill with those. Most of the time I can't dive for long because of the wind. It might be 100 degrees in my pool area, but the dry desert and wind makes getting out of the water very cold. Anyway, tonight was great. We even had a nice conversation with DS2.
Last night almost DIL and DGS visited and that was a blast. I love them both.
Tomorrow DS1 is coming for a visit from Reno since almost DIL and DGS will be in Seattle. He and I are going to the airshow and watching the Thunderbirds. DH and DS have guard weekend and if they have family at the airshow, they can spend the entire time with their family. So that'll be nice. DH will be able to see DS1 more.
Food - well what can I say. Lousy week at work and that did me in. Not horrible, but much room for improvement. Exercise - good be not up to the usual as the asthma is out of control. Prednisone starting this morning.
Carol, what do you drive to work? Since we have a fleet of vehicles, my goal is to drive the nearly 40 mpg car 3 times a week and each Jeep once per week. They're my treat. I just read a headline that said that Americans are driving WAY less like back in 1974. No kidding, it's too expensive to drive around.
Penny, what is the Oregon Garden? I've never heard of it. Maybe next time in the area I could go. Enjoy the time alone. I really like it. And empty nest??? I've been looking forward to it for a while.
Judy, Juls and Elyn - I hope your survived the week and have a great weekend.
Marie
Marie I have never read her books. Are there just these two in this series? I will ck it out and see if I can get my hands on them. I have enjoyed reading everynight before bed. I think I sleep better. My hot flashes are fading a bit thank g. Crazy stuff we have to go through. Well the pool sounds wonderful. My sister has a nice in ground and my friend right next door has an above. So when I get a chance its nice exercise. Wish the inground was right next door. Maybe someday it will be a goal to get one my house will be paid off in 2010. Wow what a smart thing it was for me to decide on that 15 year morg. This was our 2nd home. Oh so I drive a malibu max LS. I love it generally get about 28-29 miles per gal. If I didn't do the city for work it would be better yet. I am trying to use cruise on the country roads and highway do you think that will make a difference? One can only hope. This gas thing is really hurting everyone and everything along with the floods how awful thats been for people scary world we live in lately. Good exercise for you maybe it will balance out the food thing?
I am making some healthier chocies not on board 100% but trying to be better. Cutting back on pasta unless it is the better kind with wheat etc. Less bread. Last night I made meatballs homemade and had sauce on them and a bowl of salad made with grape tom. and feta cheese olive oil and vinegar w/spices. It was quite good. Didn't miss the pasta or bread. When we have something like this I like italian bread not buying it or having it in the house was safer than me saying I'd only have a slice or two. Its too tempting. Well I am off from work today took 4.5 hrs. and had already lots of hrs. in worked later two nights. I am also so glad the week is over. THis weekend we are having a garage sale with my best friend next door. So I have to help get ready today for that adventure hopefully I can get things cleared out without hubby or SIL bothering me as why are you getting rid of this or that. Talk to you all soon hang in there we can make a healthier life for ourselves. Taking a step back recently has not made me really happy and now I need to get moving and I know it.
Hi, ladies! Sorry to be MIA, but I did survive the week. On the work front, my boss came this close to be sacked. Besides the bad financial figures, she knows that me and my colleagues weren't very complimentary, to put it mildly, in her job review. She got a reprieve, and the board will be watching very closely. If she'd been fired, there would have been lots of political fallout, but if she can't get her act together, my organization could go under . So there will lots of pressure and tension this summer. To do my best job, I have to focus and be positive, but frankly I have to keep an eye out for a new job, in case we'll need to close before the end of the year. I guess it's okay that I haven't moved faster on buying a condo--but I'll still need to make a decision by the end of the summer about whether to move to a cheaper rental apartment, or if I feel confident enough about this job or new opportunities to go ahead and commit to a mortgage. Arrgh!
My weight was down to 212 earlier in the week, but back up to 213 this morning, boo. The days started early and went long, so no time to workout at all Wednesday and Thursday. I munched a bit during the meetings, but not so enough to fall all the way off the wagon. So it's a new day, and I'm about to do a workout and catch up on my salads . I am so ready to get below 210!!!
Carol, good luck with the garage sale! Did you ever think youd be happy paying $4.19 a gallon for gas?
Penny, I hope you're happy with the scale today.
Marie, I hope you can spend your whole weekend in the pool.
Carol - How far do you have to commute to work? It must be very tough for people who need to drive a lot these days. I've been making fewer trips and combining shopping trips to save gas. Everything is so far apart here in the States compared to in Europe, where it's close together and they can rely on public transport. I'm lucky my little Subaru Forester gets good mileage. It's nearly 10 years old and we've put a few hundred dollars into it in the past year or so but it's a good little car. I hope your jeans soon start getting looser.
Marie - I hope you're having some nice "quality time" with your DS1 & family. I'm glad things have smoothed over with your DS2. The Oregon Garden is in Silverton, about 45 min. drive from where I live. If you do a Google Images search of keywords Oregon Garden you'll get a lot of nice pictures that will give you an idea. We were absolutely amazed how lovely it is and we especially liked the conifer garden and the water gardens. It's a very "zen" and relaxing place to go. I recommend doing the 1/2 hour tram ride first and then walking around to the various gardens that catch your fancy. It covers about 80 acres so it's hard to see everything in one trip.
Judy - I can really empathize with the job woes. I hope things work out and that your agency's problems are resolved. Things seem to be getting tough all over. Sometimes things happen for a reason though and a change in job direction can be a change for the better and be a blessing in disguise.
We're under a lot of stress too as my DH may soon be losing our rep agency. Our main supplier is cutting out people left right and center. We have lots of friends working there who we've known for decades who are being laid off. My DH has been associated with them for nearly 40 years going back to our days in Australia (either as an employee or rep) but the new management has no loyalty to people like my DH who have done so much for them over the years. It's very hard for my DH as he'll be 65 this year and was planning on working at least another 5 years since we don't have a fancy retirement scheme.
We're trying to stay positive as something will hopefully come along and he'll get more consulting work from our customers as our supplier's support network crumbles and the customers are left high and dry. I feel bad about all the expense we've just taken on with the patio and garage. The timing wasn't great but I think it will at least increase the value of our property and we'll get to enjoy it.
I'm pleased to report that I have lost another pound! I'm now down to 192, so I'm down 4 lb. from 196, which I was stuck at for about a nine months. Now I'm a little over half way to my goal.
Penny, congratulations on another pound gone . I'm hoping that things work out with your husband's position. At least now you have a nice place to sit and gaze out at your garden and thinks about next steps...
I've been trying to unwind after a rough week at work. I'm sure thinkgs will be super-tense and snappish these next two weeks. If I can keep on track despite it all, I'll buy myself a medal. I spent yesterday afternoon at my neighborhood's blues festival, which was fun. My ex was there, and introduced me to his new wife. She seems very nice, and he seems to be in a great place mentally. I was just glad that was wearing my "skinny" jeans and was lookin' good, if I do say so myself .
Judy good for you looking good just at the right time and it must of given you and extra bit of confidence. Sorry to hear about the job and as far as a house or condo move if its suppose to happen it will and if the timing isn't right so be it. I always feel things go in the direction for a reason. At least you now have knowledge about buying and what its about for future plans if not for now. Hang in there with work and another company will scoop you up if they know your looking after all you must have many good connections with all the people you are involved with over the years put the word out and just see if anything comes your way. If it does too bad for your company but good for another and you.
Congrats to you all whom have lost some I am trying. I did bake some choc. bars to mail to my family in HI. But yah know I had to dabble into a few over the past two days. Now they are put away and out of sight. On the other hand I have done better with water intake, veggies, grilled foods and inc. in veggies so not a loss completly. I feel a bit more in control and this week will continue to gain confidence in the healthier lifestyle run for your life mission. Hah hah! Like that one? I am home today as I had a belt of trouble with my eyes drippy junk guess allergies from being outside for 10 hrs the past two days with the garage sale stuff. We made some funds on what was just hanging around doing no one any good. We helped lots of families gain new items and clothes reasonably priced. I sold my baby cradle and toy box, doggie crate et. The lady hugged me for giving her such a good deal for the cradle and two bags of infant baby clothes cheap. We are contacting her to give her some other items that didn't sell in case she can utilize them for her grandbaby. Fun to meet people and help them out. It was a little work but the end result felt great.
Penny I will keep my fingers crossed for your hubby. Gongrats on the loss. You must enjoy the peace in your garden patio. My hubby is designing our deck to be screened in and that will be nice for us as it gets so much sun a cooler area with a roof will be nice. I am going to find some wicker furniture to put out there a love seat and chair or two chairs etc. It will be our peaceful spot to read and relax in the good months. I can't wait. I am going to weed the garden a bit later and poke around in the flower beds. I accidently cut a piece off my honeysuckle bush and now have to cut that out so sad..... I will give it some miracle grow as a kiss up for trimming her branch off. Well take care everyone and hang in there!
Judy I'm really sorry about the problems at your work. I probably missed something but it your nonproift might go under in part because of the bad hire director, why doesn't the board fire her before it's too late?
Anyway, on looking svelte when meeting the ex's new wife. That had to feel AWESOME!!!
Penny way to go on the lost pound. Just don't send it to KFalls. I hope the supplier doesn't go away but you and your DH are wise and will figure it out.
Carol, I understand giving stuff away. I'd so much rather give my old stuff to someone who can't afford it rather than sell it. That feeling is worth way more than money. I'm glad you're helping the lady out.
My life was interesting this weekend but it's not something I can discuss with anyone at this point. But interesting none the less. I had a great time with my first born. We're doing lunch before he goes back to Reno after we do some paperwork in town. I'm at work and we're meeting in about an hour.
Exercising has been good - much swimming as the heel is mad. We walked a lot at the airshow (the Thunderbirds were awesome as usual). Food was actually good because we ended up missing lunch on both days. Not quite the right way to do it but I'll take it.
Well, much work to do but I didn't want you to think I got lost.
Marie
Judy - It must have felt great looking good in your skinny jeans meeting your ex's wife . I hope things are going ok for you at work. It's hard to stay on track when you're under so much stress, but I know you can do it! The blues fest must have been a welcome distraction for you.
Carol - That was nice of you to give away the extra baby stuff. It's always a good feeling to be able to help someone out. I'm sure you'll enjoy your screened in deck. It's funny you mentioned you "kissed up" to your honeysuckle with the miracle grow. I've been patting and talking to one of my daphne plants I had to transplant as it was looking a little wilted (they are prone to what's called "sudden death syndrome"!) It's perked up a lot so I think it's going to survive.
Marie - I'm glad you had a nice time with your DS1. I hope your weekend was "interesting" in a good way!
Our DS is visiting with us for a few days on Thursday. It will be great as we haven't seen him for about a year. It's amazing how quickly time flies. We do the Skype thing a lot on the computer, so we get to see him when we're on the 'phone, but it's not the same as seeing him in person.
It will be nice having him visit to take our minds off our business woes. I'm lucky in a way that when I'm stressed I either don't get hungry or I'm ravenous. At the moment I don't have much of an appetite, so that's one good aspect of all the upheaval!
Whew, got through today without any bloodshed! I think we each came to work wanting to start over again, and were relieved to focus on the challenges. I hope this will last for a few days, at least...my director really wants to do a good job, we all need her to do a good job, and none of us wants to see the organization go under, so in that we're all of one mind. I've been meditating and doing yoga, and will try to do at least one or the other every day through the Fourth, to see if I can get into a routine before the travel schedule picks up again.
My weight's 211 today, yaay! Unfortunately the office is stuffed with leftovers from last week's meetings, and I've had way too many mixed nuts, so it'll be a very minimal dinner for me. The fitness area of my apartment building is being remodeled. Tomorrow they will have crammed some of the equipment into the old fitness room. We're told that the new area will be ready in late July, so based on other building projects, I'm thinkin' mid-August at the earliest. The ebike is the least popular cardio machine, so maybe I can continue to ride it a few times a week.
Carol, how nice to do a good deed and make money! What a great way to declutter your house. Hope the allergies move away soon.
Penny, I'm picturing you on your hands and knees, whispering sweet nothings to the shrubbery. What do your neighbors think of you?
Marie, it's too awkward to let the boss go, both politically (relationships with our stakeholders) and internally (the board wasn't working as closely with her as they should have). Since there wasn't any malfeasance, they have to have a process with benchmarks and accountability. This was a wake-up call, and it will be clear before the fall if she can make this work.
Marie I hope your interesting weekend was good for you sounds positive. We all need some surprises in our lifes good ones out weigh the other kind by a long shot.
I feel much better this afternoon I think it was eye allergies and claitin generic brand seemed to help lots. Eyes are still a bit puff but not bad. SIL and I went to the next town over and had chinese buffet. I ate mainly shrimp not too much fried just a bite or so of a couple of things. Then had fruit. For dinner I ate some cheese with pretzel crackers and a piece of grilled chicken from the other evening. I worked hard this afternoon with gardening cut some branches off the trees above my large garden, weeded my veggie garden and some flower gardens not all of them. But then we got a hail storm crazy huh? Lasted 10 min. didn't harm anything thank goodness. That is two hail storms in a matter of two weeks times are changing.
Judy good for you on the scale... Sounds like everyone had a wake up call and if they work hard and it will take team work to make a turn around but the end result could be a positive one with effort from all. Don't let it get the best of you look how far you have come.
Penny wish we lived closer we could share a few plants. I have some extras I have to pull out soon. Wow how fast things grow this year. We have had a warm weather system but then cooler days to off set it and the plants seem to love it. My roses look great I powdered them all today to ease the bugs away with a yukkie taste... My veggie garden looks grand hope it continues to do good and maybe the funds I spent will be worth it in the end. I would like to make some pickles and can tomatoes for sauce and make salsa. Well thats it for today have a nice evening and I mixed my exercise up with chinese so all in all I think it was a good day at least balanced outcome.
Good morning everyone. I am feeling a bit better today with my allergies and my exercise from yesterday. My back seems to be mending yes! It has been an issue with my exercising. Today I am planning on a nice walk after work. Hopefully by the end of the week I can hit the gym. Between cutting branches and pulling weeds and flowers out I didn't bother it. I did try to jump to grab a limb and felt like someone stabbed me when I hit my feet on the ground. I am trying to learn to take it a bit slower pace with asking for help with somethings not all to independent for that. I am ready for work just finished a good breakfast of eggs and maple toast. My lunch is packed I have a container that I use now that is what I call my leftover measuring container. Smaller if you can't fit it in its too much. Good way to not over eat I figure added a peach and yogurt and off I go. Well talk to you all soon its good to feel like I am back on track. As you may have noticed being on here a bit more helps me get on track andn feel in control. Its what I need for now. Off to work I go.
And I loved the Kai the Love Puppy written out. That'll stick now, you know!
I know it's bad that I'm doing the happy dance because of the college fiasco, but I'm so THANKFUL he's moving out. My bipolar is tenuous without meds in great circumstances - he has not been helping. Anyway food isn't good (but also not horrible on an ongoing basis - just slipups so that's better than in the past). The bronchitis is slowly better but the asthma is not good. I have started exercising again. Today was the first day for doggie walking and I made the walk without too much problem. Of course I used the inhaler before leaving the house. I've done laps in MY POOL 
on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Today. At 1/4 mile each swim, that's a mile. DH and I biked 6.5 miles on Sunday. So I'm doing ok. I've very careful not to push the heartrate as my lungs couldn't handle it. I figure slow and easy is much better than not at all.
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. I'm hoping that things work out with your husband's position. At least now you have a nice place to sit and gaze out at your garden and thinks about next steps...
Penny way to go on the lost pound. Just don't send it to KFalls. I hope the supplier doesn't go away but you and your DH are wise and will figure it out.