Hiya all,
Like most, this is going to be a quick fly by today. I'm all at sea at the moment. I got up and got ready for gym this morning and just as I was about to walk out of the house there was a phone call to tell me the delivery truck with the stove and cooktop would be there within the hour. So I didn't get to gym and it has put me out all day. But I am getting back on track again and have packed three boxes ready to go to the shed and taken all the stuff out of one set of cupboards and shortly I will take that off the wall. I was sorting out the hows and whys of getting it off the wall and find that the original builders have nailed it on instead of screwing it to the wall. That will make for interesting demolition. Crikey I might have to take to it with a hammer. Oh what fun.

Anyway, that is about it for today. I am doing bits and pieces and trying to salvage some of the day. Strange how an upset in routine will really set you back. Oh dear, I have become a creature of habit.

See ya

Shad
Many of us are creature's of habit nothing wrong with that. Glad things are coming along with your kitchen.

I DID A LOAD OF WASH VERY EARLY THIS MORNING AND NOW HAVE SOME SERIOUS HIP PAIN. CODEINE AND MY PILLOW ARE CALLING MY NAME. SEE YOU ALL TOMORROW.
HAVE A GREAT DAY

Aw, Melody. I hope a day of rest helps you!

Today is a rainy gloomy day but the snow is starting to melt! I got a haircut yesterday which really was a spirit-lifter! Short hair needs attention every six weeks it seems. Maybe I'll let it grow out and try for an old lady bun!

Not much happening except a quiet day with my furry darling. We will quilt and read and generally goof off. I need to drive to town tonight for a quilting class 6-9 so will conserve my knee strength until then.

I hope your Hump Day isn't too high - we're over the hump by noon, right?

Hey ladies --

I've missed a few days and am so far behind!! I'll try to catch up...but this may be long. Sorry. I worked out hard at the gym last night...1/2 hour treadmill, 1/2 hour circuit training and 15 min. abs. I'm sore today. Walking up the stairs at work was an adventure!

I still feel great, I haven't even been tempted by the Easter candy (not even the peeps). I just wish I had more time to get to the gym this week. I'm taking the dogs to the vet tonight for their shots. Tomorrow going bowling with some co-workers. Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, I'll go to the gym. And Sunday, being Easter, the gym is closed, so hopefully the weather will be nice for a walk.

Shad - What is the CSIRO diet? That's so sweet that your DS2 called you his awesome mum! Good for you for being so dedicated about going to the gym! In the diabetes books I've been reading, they keep emphasizing how important exercise is! Which is why I'm trying to make time for it 4 to 5 days a week. But I do agree with your point that even if I only do 15 to 20 minutes on the days I don't go to the gym...that would be an improvement over not exercising at all on those days. I like your saying "Don't forget to sweat!". Great advice! Your winter weather sounds WONDERFUL!! 74 degrees is great! I like anywhere between 70 and 90 degrees, but right now, I'd settle for 50 degrees! Congrats on having all new wonderful kitchen appliances! Have fun with the demolition of your kitchen cupboards! And it's not bad to be a creature of habit when the habits are healthy ones (like yours)!

Ruth - I hope you're okay after your fall on Friday. And we are finally seeing your Canada geese here in Wisconsin, so hopefully you'll see them soon.

Rennie - Thanks for explaining what animals and rice is. I was afraid to ask! Good to know that you got thanks and gratitude for helping this friend out!

Mel - Sorry to hear about your hip pain! I hope you feel better soon!! Thanks for clearing up the mystery of the package from Happy! Those pierogis and kielbasa looked so good. Mmmmm. Your Recipe #49 sounds fabulous! Oh my gosh! Do you know the nutritional info (Calories, Fats, Fiber) on that so I can figure out the points? Yummm. (I might skip the jalapenos, though.)

Happy - So nice of you to do that for Mel!! I'm planning on buying 100 days and the journal. Can I join you both on the 100 day journey? Or is it too late to catch up with you both? I laughed when you mentioned about the up and down straight leg. I would just like be thrilled if my thighs didn't rub together! My hair is long, but it's not thick or luxurious. But I do like it long. I just wish I knew how to style it. I need to get my hair touched up....The roots are bad and the gray is showing up at the temples again. I try and blend it in with the blond, but it doesn't always work. Happy, I thought about you with that nasty weather....But sounds like you're enjoying the beauty of spring as well. I'm sure it's coming our way soon - even though we're supposed to have more snow Thursday night and Friday. It's SO kind of you and your DH to give those cats loving each week.

Ellen - Tackling the whole house is overwhelming. So far, I'm not accomplishing things as quickly as I want to...But what I am getting done is going well and getting much more organized. Still have lots to organize in the kitchen and the bathroom yet. Good for you for doing a workout at home since your car was in the shop.

Nae - Congrats on the new baby. And I'm glad to hear your son is doing a bit better and on the right track. Great job on getting out for a walk with Toby! My dogs are quite the strutters too when I walk them!

Ceejay - Glad to hear your uncle is doing so well after his back surgery!

Carla - :congrats: on the 6 lb loss! That's fabulous! And what a fantastic NSV with the jeans fresh out of the dryer!! Keep up the great work! Maine Coons are great cats! We had one for 19 years! He was awesome!

Painter - That's great that your DH cleaned out the garage. That's something my DH needs to do when his knee feels a little better. I'm not on meds for my diabetes (and I hope that I don't have to go on meds - I'm hoping that the weight loss and exercise and eating right will convince my doctor next month that I can control my diabetes without meds). I'm on a BP med, cholesterol med, back pain med twice a day), migraine med as needed, asthma med as needed, and allergy med as needed. which one do you want to know about?

1Day - How are you doing? How is your DD?

Shaker - :congrats: on the weight loss!

Thanks worldly chicks for getting me re-motivated, re-energized and ready to tackle the day and stay OP.

Here's to a great day for all of us! for those who need it and a for those who need it and a for everyone else!

Quick question for Mel and Happy (and anyone else who has the 100 days book).... Do you know if the book would be appropriate for me as I'm working toward exercising and following WW (and/or the food plan my nutritionist gives me on April 5) to improve my blood sugar? What is the book "like"?

Diyana, the 100 Days of Weight Loss isn't actually a diet, according to the author it's "the secret to being successful on any diet plan". It's more motivational than anything else, with tasks for each day. You can get a pretty thorough idea of how it works by going to the website (I think Mel posted a link a while back - I don't know how to post links). You can print out the workbook from the site, it does cover a summarized version of the book anyway, but for some things you need the book to get the whole story. Mel and Happy and I are only on Day 3 today, so you could always start now and just do three days at once - 97 days to perfection, so to speak... So the answer is yes, it would be appropriate for your program.

Mel, so sorry to hear about the laundry injury. I've always suspected housework is dangerous and to be avoided. Take care of yourself, but not with any ...

Shad, I got a little something in the mail from you, thanks very much. Interesting choice of stationary...
As for the "shape" you're beating me into, I keep trying to remember that fat or thin, I still won't have the perfect sexy hourglass I'd love to have. Just a thinner rectangle. Realistic expectations are very important, right?

Ruth, it's rainy and grey up here too. I'll probably get some extra exercise swimming through giant puddles on my way to WW at noon. Good thing your Hershey is a water dog, right?

Happy, I hope you're just busy today and not under the weather.

Oops. Gotta go eat before I have to leave. See y'all later!

Thanks for the info, Carla.

I went to the website...but I can't find the workbook. Can someone please post the link?

Thanks everyone!


NEVER MIND.....I just bought the book and got the 1st 7 days in a download, and downloaded the journal/workbook!

Happy, Mel, Carla -- I'm joining you (if you don't mind). I'll do 3 days in one! 97 days until perfection!!

Hi guys,

Work is just freakin' killing me and it's going to get a LOT worse before it eases up some. Thank you Lord for not being 21 and having to work 50 more years

We dodged another bullet yesterday. Horrid storms had stalled west of us. I hear poor Missouri got 5 to 12 inches of rain. I knew it was going to be bad when it just sat there and didn't move. When it finally came our way it drifted north of us for the most part. (Missed you too I see Ceejay).

We lost power at least 6 times throughout the night - it actually woke me up because things were dark and quiet - either that or the beep, beep of something when the power kicked back on again. They were brief brown outs. I shut the computers down last night in anticipation of the storm. Was about to turn them on this morning when pop, pop - off / on / off /on/ off again for good. I waited 20 minutes and everything was dark. I have too much work to do at the office so I grabbed a flashlight and hopped in the shower. I wasn't able to dry my hair and grabbed a small bag with some basic makeup in it (can't be coming into the office lookin' too scary - needless to say, I'm not lookin' real purdy today. DH said the power was off for a couple of hours and came back on again. The goofs on the road weren't too bad at the out of service stop lights, most of them actually stopped. I was a little concerned about the trains - we have very active train traffic throughout the area. DH said their signals are on separate units. Like my cat with cars (**arches back and Reeeeeehhhh **) I have great respect for 3 engine trains hauling 100+ loaded coal cars and other assorted tanks of noxious stuff and it makes me a little leary to be driving around with those things an no working signals Although this morning there was power along the train route.

Quickie personals...

Michelle - will be glad to have you doing the 100 day thing. I missed this morning's session due to no lights so we can catch up together. I will try and find the link and send it to you. And I'm doing WW and the same program as you so I can attest 100 Days will work fine since that is focusing on getting the "head" in shape and forming good mental habits - at least from what I've read so far.

Hi Carla - how does 3% perfection look today?

Ruth - can't ever see you with an old lady bun - even so, you'd probably make it a work of art with interesting things sticking out of it Loved your friend's picture. PC Paint is a difficult program to use - I'm impressed.

Mel - sorry to hear the hip is bothering you - hope you feel better

Shad - have you picked out new cabinets yet? If they're nailed in, you surely won't be salvaging them.

Shaker - good on yah for avoiding all the Easter goodies. Hope you have a warm sunny day to show off your new outfit. Does anyone get Easter Bonnets anymore?

Phooey - work beckons - gotta run. Hellos to Ceejay, Rennie, Painter, Nae, Ellen and all others temporarilly stepped away at the moment.

I sure hope when spring does come to us that it doesn't hit us as hard as it's been hitting our southern friends! Sheesh!

Happy, doncha hate it when the power goes out in the middle of the night! Then I always have to make sure the battery in my alarm clock is working so I wake up on time. And going out 6 times?! Wow!
Glad to hear there was power along the train route or that would've been a real mess.

wow... even when I only miss a couple of days there are PAGES to read!
I made a presentation at work this morning on an interesting book: [URL="http://www.normandoidge.com"]The Brain that Changes Itself[/URL. One of the things it said was that "actually doing exercise" increased ability by 30% (this was for stroke victims) and that "just" imagining it, increased ability by 22%!! So, IK'm doing both.

It is gorgeous here... We didn't drown even though St. Louis apparently got 10 inches of rain yesterday. My tulips decided overnight to shoot up flower spikes. And if Dandelions were a cash crop, I'd be in great shape.

I need to re-do my ticker... but w/o the meds, I'm actnally not so hungry or full of cravings and the scale has moved a little "to the left"!

Happy- I agree, glad I don't have to work another 40 years. Sometimes it's good to be "golden."

Mel- SO sorry that the laundry made your hip flare up. Hope you enjoy your codeine as much as I've enjoyed mine. Reminds me, must go put laundry in dryer!

Roseblush -- any chance the screams were a rabbit? I've heard recordings that are blood curdling. I think animals we think of as silent are especialoly creepy when they "yell."

Ruth -- Hope you have a great time quilting... and tell your digital painting friend that I like her bouquet. It IS fun. (A good excuse to buy more electronic "toys," too. I love my Wacom tablet!! and PaintShop was a gift from DH. Expensive, but it keeps me off the streets... (And I rarely buy new clothes, so it was probably a bargain!!)

Shad - hope you feel better! Thanks for the Irish blessing.

Shaker - congrats on your successive successes!!

ShyMoment - Amazing to do list AND self-discipline.

Upswife - Way to go on the Exercise.

TTYL

Happy Carla here today - down another pound at WW. The bad news is I lose a point a day now. Shy had better hide her little peeps - I'm only three pounds from another midnight raid... which won't happen for a while, since next week is a business trip. Maybe the weather in Victoria will be nice, and maybe I'll be able to find a spin class.
Speaking of spinning, today for Day 3 I decided to show I was not just interested in losing weight but committed to it by going for an afternoon spin class! Followed by a quick stop at the grocery store where nothing fell into my cart!!!

Happy, sorry about your power problems, but I'm glad your absence this morning wasn't for any dire reasons. If you were an erratic, hit-and-miss poster like me no-one would worry about your absence until your remains had already been partially eaten by cats! Well, Shad would worry. She gives me grief when I don't post, which almost always works and probably almost always will. Thank you Shad. Oops I'm starting to ramble. And not everyone enjoys steam of consciousness... As for 3% of perfecion, it feels quite remarkably more smug than 2% did. Go figure!

Mel, sweetie, that the hip recovers quickly. No consoling yourself with frapps!!! At least you did groceries yesterday, so you've got supplies in case you can't get around much for a few days. I'll email you later.

Michelle, welcome to the 100 Days gang! So far I'm quite impressed with it. And if you've already done WW more than once it'll be nice to use their basic system but also have a fresh take on the whole weight loss process.

And now, time for yet another apple...

Carla
Nice to see you have lost more weight. I can feel your smile lol.

Painter
I sure hope all this exercise pays off for me by 22%.

Happy
Oh I hate when the power goes off at night. That tends to be the same time I wake up and I am stuck there in the dark. Hoping I closed the closet so the darn closet monster doesn't get me.

Diy
I love animals and rice. I eat it a lot. You can use any kind of meat you want lol. Think Hmmmm I have heard worms are high in protein lol.

Ruth
My husband likes mine cut in this feathered kind of look. I have to get mine cut every 4 weeks or the stuff just doesn't lay right. To bad I tend to get it done every 8 to 12 weeks lol.

Melody
I hope you feel better.

Morning all,

And it is a grey and overcast morning with a little rain but reasonably warm so I'll take it. Nights are definitely cooling down and I have to have a blanket on the bed now.

I've been to the gym and done the weigh in for the week. Which is down thank goodness. For a while there I thought it was going to have to go up and the ticker. Lots of sweat at the gym today.

I forget to mention that I too had a hair cut this week and a colour put through. Normally I have foils or streaks but this time I decided a light brown colour, close to my own might just hide the grey so I chose a light brown with dark blonde highlights. Well it has turned out a couple of shades darker than I normally am with copper tints. I didn't want to be red. But as per normal, it will only last a number of weeks and I can go back to being dull mouse once more unless I decide to be adventurous again. The cut is good, just not sure about the colour.

Mel - sorry about the hip pain. What a bummer. Just rest and relax and hope that everything goes away again. I've done your exercise for you this morning. Maybe we can talk over Easter. I will galvanise you with the same pruning tool as I did Carla.

Carla - glad you liked my stationery. Can't say I am run of the mill. That took a while to get there. Good job on the 3% of perfection. Have you painted the toenails yet?? Realistic expectations are everything in this game. I'm never going to be 5'8" but I'd like that. Diet or exercies won't achieve that. But I see we are getting a couple of taller people on the thread. You should be happy with that.

Happy - sorry to hear of the power outages. That should drive DH to distraction as he puts the systems back together again after a power shutdown. Yeah me too, I don't want to be 21 again, although if I knew what I know now and am 21 again, there's a couple of things I would do differently.
The new cabinets will be in white 2 pack paint and the bench tops will be a Deepstar laminate called Slate. Partially shiny, partially sheen. Door handles in brushed S/S. Under cabinet lights in one corner and a pantry with 5 pull out baskets and a couple of fixed shelves. Pot drawers and a lot of storage. New SS sink and drainer. I don't yet know what I will use as the splash back - tiles probably and I will do those myself. New oven, cooktop arrived yesterday and the rangehood is already here. I still have life left in the fridge so I haven't replaced that. Now all I have to do is pull off the old stuff and sand seal and paint the ceiling and walls (because of the splashback not going in at the same time)

Better go and sort out the world at my door. Hello to the others. I have a job interview at 1.00. Geez I hate these things. Indigestion will set in shortly.

See ya

Hi ladies, a quick post as I am off home for the Easter break. I have had a sad few days, a lady I really like at work - wel our extended work in the building across the road, passed on from nasty cancer, was quick only a month since she found out so Easter Tue is the funeral so I will go to taht.

One of the kittens jumped off something and hurt her leg and I took her to the spca today and it is broken, so since she is only little she cannot have anaesthetic so she has gone to the big kitty world in the sky, perhaps my friend can take care of her. Was rather upsetting though as I don't like losing the fosters.

Now DH has found a nasty spot thing on his back so has made an appt to have that cut out, probably melanoma, so best I go and have some family love this easter.. I haven't blown the diet so that is a good thing the w/end will go so quickly. Hope you all have a wonderful break, thanks for the diet wishes we can all do it you know just mind over matter.. unfortunately sometime the matter is yumm!!.. later skaters..