Well I stopped to buy yogurt and a pumpkin cookie came out and grabbed my hand and forced its package in my basket. Wow! I guess it was much healthier than a choc.chip cookie or something and seasonably desirable. I did share them I will tell you with my hubbie, sil and have one packed for my mom. I am dropping her off some dinner for tonight and thought she'd enjoy the last cookie. I usually make them every year never buy them but they were full of good things like raisins and walnuts so how bad was it really and pumpkin for goodness sakes. Well okay I guess I let out the fact of the sugar.... but it could of been worse.... Other than that a good day. I didn't go exercise but fit in stairs and walking a bit. I just am still dragging a bit from the cold virus thing. Started to feel better then yesterday it was a little whoosh down again. Today I feel better again. I am going to the farmers market on my lunch time nothing like Pikes Market in Seattle my favorite market but some fresh veggies and good fruits. Tonight is leftover night. I think I am going to make every thurs. that sounds wonderful clean out the ref. night. SIL turned up her nose at my sauerkraut and pork roast but ate it. I said you can make something else but this is what I am serving. Hey its not the restaurant palace. Oh sometime I have to bite my tongue a bit. I have tried hard to accomadate her dietary needs and all but there is a limit. Okay now I feel better just had to clear my head.
Marie no peanut butter huh? I love that with an apple. My new snack at work for the fall. I have made a drawer in my desk for groceries. Took in somethings to beable to make better choices if I get hungry or don't have time for lunch. Been bringing this week but on fridays we normally will order and this week is pay week. I think asking today to be prepared for tomomrow will be smart.
Digging out pants, sweaters from last year to get up for my fall wardrobe. Took back a couple of returns yesterday and got out of the store without anything. I do have to go back though got a couple of great coupons to use but will go to the store in the city better selection. Gotta have a couple new things to feel good for the fall. I need to finish my 2 year sweater project then maybe make a new one a longer style made with some big needles to work up quickly. Didn't accomplish anything last night gotta get a basket with my projects so no thinking is involved just grab and keep busy. Busy hands less munching....
Take care and yes we are on the slide down to friday!!!!
Eat healthier, and keep moving I am trying!!!!

Not a bad day in the food front but lets say its time to have nothing else tonight except for my sf jello with a little cool whip sprayed on. Hah hah. Marie I know Bear tries to get me everytime I am on the floor. Hope the doggie learns eventually. I did a 30 min. walk at work today. The new director doesn't mind us doing so during our day take a break to walk. So we were thinking maybe 3 times a week. I was really hungry afterwards have to learn to take an extra apple for the ride home. Too hungry when I arrived today. Well it was left over night. Something she will have to adjust to. I agree working full time and cooking is a bit tough. I am not sure if she enjoyed it and is kind of quiet this evening. Oh well sometimes thats life I guess. I was told today I will be getting a new computer soon. Can't wait. I pray its a laptop maybe I will know soon? They are announcing something on Friday reflecting our dept. hopefully its a move to a lovely new building that I could take too. Well take care and enjoy your evening.

Hey Marie did you get an appt. for the new doc? Will be interesting to see what they have to say. Sometimes we get to comfy going to the same one for awhile and its good to get a second opinion on things especially metabolism. Good luck.
Auntie g just do a bit more exercise I think and eat that special meal. Maybe you can be especially good the day before and after to make up the difference.
I think that bloated feeling and gaining a couple of months ago had to do with my menopause really sending me into a tail spin. I feel better and no that I will get where I want to be. I feel sure that its going to be alot of work but do able. My extra walking at work will help a few days a week. I am despite my few ooops this week doing better. Before I just couldn't get it together and thought oh my what the h--- is this!! But I know if I want it bad enough its going to happen.
Talk to you all soon gotta fly again oh hurrah its friday. Hubby and I have an evening to ourselves and next weekend a long weekend away hopefully nice enough to kayak.

Hey, there, I'm back! Sort of. I'm at work for a while today. I haven't had time to set up my office and reconnect my DSL service.

Tuesday's move went well. The movers used a trailer and an oversized pick-up truck. I felt like the Beverly Hillbillies, driving slowly down the interstate with my lamps and whatnot stacked precariously atop my furniture. Wednesday my new bedroom furniture arrived. I'll have to send the mattress back, though. It's too firm (and I like a firm mattress). I thought I was gonna die from exhaustion, but by Thursday night I began to feel human again. There's still congestion in my ears :(, but otherwise the meds seemed to have helped qith that infection.

This weekend I'll be pushing furniture around (arrgh) and shopping (yaay!). I need a few new container-shelf type things before I can finish unpacking. I won't be totally done for several weeks, because I'll be away a lot. I'm not handy with drills, so I will get someone to come later on to help hang the pictures,etc., on the walls (they'll need to be anchored into the concrete), and a medicine cabinet in the bathroom. Don't ask me why I don't have one already.

It's good to be back here with everyone! I sounds like everyone is focusing on upcoming challenges. Carol, I'm worried about these aggressive pumpkin cookies, I'll have to watch out for them. I've had a similar problem with chocolate for several weeks. Maybe I should wear protective mittens?

Auntie G, I hope you reach your goal soon! It will light a fire under me. 200 has eluded me for quite a while. It's like there's an invisible force field that bounces me way back :lol:

Penny, all this talk about crockpots lately--and the autumn chill in the air--means that I'll dig mine out of the moving box this weekend and cook something up! Something with lots of garlic....

Marie,I really appreciate how you persevere with exercise, and find a work-around for various aches and pains. It's easy to give up and not do anything. I'm looking forward to getting back into my workout habits this weekend.

Okay, time for lunch! judy

Judy - I'm glad your move went well. A comfortable mattress is very important, so you are wise to exchange it rather than have it affect your sleep. Something garlicky sounds good to cook in your crock pot when you find it amongst your possessions. I'm going to make some Hungarian gulasch - I bought some good paprika for it.

Carol - I need to sort out my fall clothes too. This year the change of seasons kind of caught me by surprise. I don't think I'll buy much new stuff, just mix and match the old stuff more creatively!

Auntie G - I hope you enjoy your long weekend and your dinner at the Olive Garden. Have what you like to eat - it's the other 363 days of the year that makes the difference!

Marie - It's funny how Kai nips you if you lay on the ground. Maybe she sees that as a submissive pose and wants to assert herself to be the new Alpha Female! :lol: You have quite a "pack" to keep in line. I hope you enjoyed your lunch with your friends.

I splurged and went to Sweet Tomatoes for lunch today and will skip dinner to make up for it (maybe I'll have a yogurt or oatmeal if I get hungry). It's hard to be "good" there so I decided to be choosy but have only my favorite salads, a soup and a smallish ice cream. I did an extra workout at Curves this week, so hopefully that will count. I still have some problems with my shoulder, but it seems a bit better.

Have a great weekend everyone!

TGIF!!! Finally!!! YEAH!!!!
 

Hi everyone, this is going to be short (word wise) but long picture wise. I got my doggies portraits today. I scanned them and I knew you all are just DYING to see them. :D I will write more tomorrow morning.

Three Huskies...
http://www.mariesdogs.com/images/dog...rtrait_web.jpg

Blizzard Bear (Marie's Soul Doggie and Best-est Friend)
http://www.mariesdogs.com/Images/bli...rtrait_web.jpg

Kodiak Bear (Prince Charming aka Jacka$$)
http://www.mariesdogs.com/Images/kody_portrait_web.jpg

Kai Bear (Mommy's Little Goofy Puppy)
http://www.mariesdogs.com/Images/Kai_portrait_web.jpg

Marie - Your pups have such human expressions! Kody looks like a mischievous boy and Blizzie is a cuddly teddy bear. Baby Kai resembles a debutante in her photo - a sophisticated young lady! No wonder you are so proud of your "fur babies". It's rainy here too so I did the housework and got quite a workout. Vacuuming was hard on my shoulder, but at least it's not crunchy underfoot any more around the house. For the gulasch I used 1-1/2 pounds cubed stew meat and 1/2 large onion cut up in chunks. Mix 3 tbsp. paprika with 3 tbsp. flour (add a little water to make a paste) stir into 1 cup of water. Put the flour/paprika/water mix into the crock pot with the beef & onion and give it a stir. Add salt and pepper to taste. After cooking 1 hr. on high stir in 1 carton sliced mushrooms and 8 oz. sour cream and cook on low for 3 hrs or until beef is very tender. Add more water if sauce is too thick.

Hi,

I saw this thread and thought to myself, "This is exactly what I need!", so if y'all don't mind I would like to join in.

I just started my diet and exercise program and I currently weigh 358. I don't have any furry kids, but I do have 6 two legged ones, ranging in age from 24 to 11, so I definitely am not lonely without the doggies.

I am still trying to learn to use all the cool forum stuff so soon I'll have my profile all decked out to look nice like the rest of you. I have to make 25 posts to get to put in a ticker, so I need to post more too!

I hope to get to know all of you better, and thank you for the place to hold myself accountable.

Hi, Jillian! Welcome! I'm looking forward to getting to know you. If you can get into the habit of checking in here nearly everyday, even when you don't really feel like it, have been bad, or just don't have much to say, it will really help you keep on track over the long haul.

Auntie and Marie, thanks for the family photos. Carol, now it's your turn, we need to see your little Bear. All you animal lovers will appreciate a new book by Gene Weingarten's article in this past Sunday's Washington Post Magazine, called "Old Dogs are the Best Dogs." There's a lovely photo gallery on the website. Here's the link, which perhaps our friendly moderator won't delete: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...092602860.html.

Penny, I don't think they'll let me return my new mattress, 'cuz although the tags are still on it, the delivery guys took the plastic off when they set up the bed. I will find time to compose a letter the the store manager, throwing myself at his or her mercy, but I will be lucky if I can work out any sort of deal. I may need to sell it on Craig's List or something and buy a new mattress :(.

I know you're tired of reading my whining posts! Things are home are looking better, but still topsy-turvy. My shoulders and hands still ache, but the rest of me is getting back to normal. Still haven't been working out. I almost can't wait to head out of town again on Wednesday, just so's I can get a good night's sleep in a neat hotel room, then wander over to the exercise room :dizzy:

judy

I will have to get Bear's picture on here soon. Loved the doggies oh Kia just stole my heart. Oh so cute. They are all beautiful and keep us busy with the care and love they not only need but demand!!! As Bear just brought in a toy and wants me to shoot it for him.
The weekend went too fast I lots to do. Use up some more pears the kids loved my pear bread and I made another pear cake for a birthday cake. Everyone said they loved them and now their almost gone gave some away. Still have over a half of bushel of pears left. Made pear sauce as well kind of like applesauce a bit gritty though. Still takes good.
This weekend coming up we are going on a kayaking trip to the Adirondacks about 2 hrs. away. It is called Indian Lake in the Adirondacks if you care to google. We are renting a cabin with our friends. Will beable to enjoy it as the weather is suppose to be really nice this weekend coming up. The leaves are going to be in peak changing so beautifully so this will be a great time to relax. Yes I said relax!! I do that once in awhile yah know.
I have been doing pretty good with my food intake. Made some blk bean soup for my lunches this week. Ate a good breakfast this morning and stayed on task with my cals today.
Jillian welcome and hope you get as much enjoyment from this site as we do. Company is always welcome and hopefully we can get you to join on a regular basis. We all slip up from time to time, but overall its a great support system and we keep each other motivated. Judy glad your move is past you now. I was told today I am one of the first to get a computer and then eventually a laptop to follow up with for my out of the office stuff. Yeah now we are getting somewhere. Give us some decent tools to work with make our jobs a bit easier. Wish list is something the new director has requested so I am thinking hard... a hand held scanner would be nice for documentations like S.S cards, birthcert. etc. when doing intakes. Oh I must think what could make life easier?????
Didn't exercise other than walking in and out and up and down the stairs no elevator!!
Judy good luck on the mattress what a pain that is oh yeah on your back too....
Auntie g your doggie is a sweetie...
Penny nice recipe I will have to try it. Any type of paprika???
Well gotta go get my pjs on they are now in the dryer oh warm and cozy!
Bought a new book Nicholas Sparks: The Lucky One
He is my favorite author and has a movie coming out this month too. I splurged on the book.
Take care hope your all relaxing too. Maybe a glass of wine might be in order as well they say its healthy in moderation one glass can't hurt raspberry flavor.

Welcome Jillian :welcome2: I'm looking forward to hearing from you again.

Auntie G - Congrats on the smaller size! :carrot: You're coming down and I'm going up! I'm getting close to 200 again and the munchy monster has me under it's control! I've been having terrible carb cravings and just heard on the news that lots of people are reaching for "comfort foods" in these difficult times. I really need to get this under control as it's certainly not "comforting" to be gaining weight. I loved the pic of your doggie too. She looks so comfy - it's a dogs life!

Judy - I hope they are nice about exchanging your mattress - it's worth a try. I don't think you are whining at all. You always seem so upbeat despite having several health and stress issues. I think it does all of us good to 'unload' now and then - that's what we're here for :hug:.

Marie - I don't usually do pasta in the crock pot as it gets a bit mushy, but you could cook the macaroni separately. I serve mine with egg noodles. We had some goulash for dinner when my DH got home from Switzerland and he said it was the best thing he's had to eat since he went on his trip! I must say it turned out really good. I hope your scale keeps being nice and that your foot gets better now you have your new orthotic.

Carol - I'm looking forward to seeing a photo of Bear too! I can just picture him in my mind's eye when he's up to his antics. All your lovely pear recipes are making me drool :drool:! For the goulash I use Kalocsa sweet Hungarian Paprika that I just picked up at my grocery store. I'm sure there are lots of similar ones out there - the main thing is that it's fresh. Oooh, cozy pj's out of the dryer, a glass of wine and a new book to read - heaven! I hope you and your DH have a nice time kayaking in the Adirondacks.

I have a big meeting tomorrow to start organizing our Fall Bazaar & Tea - I can't believe it's that time of the year already! I get a bit frustrated convincing people to volunteer for the various jobs. It's like pulling teeth sometimes! :rolleyes: I'm going to be out of action for a while after my sinus surgery on the 15th so somebody else will have to keep the ball rolling.

We are starting to get concerned about what the future holds with the economy in trouble. We've had hardly any business calls the last few weeks and it looks like everything is slowing down. Good thing my DH turns 65 tomorrow, so at least we are now eligible for SS! We're going to stock up on food a bit, just in case inflation gets totally out of control. We're thinking about getting a small freezer as our side-by-side fridge is pretty useless for storage. Maybe I'll start a veggie garden next Spring!

Penny things have been tough here in my area as well. I have been helping my oldest daughter out a bit with groceries and extra cash. Not for foolish things but essentials. She hates having me help but I try to joke about it and said don't worry someday you'll repay me when I get old and need you... Yeah have to make them as comfortable as possible as its not there fault. My SIL's company that took over the business he's worked for years has decreased his pay by almost 1/3 and she lost a good cleaning job as someone else was having issues and the luxury things like having a cleaning person goes. A friend of mine works in landscaping people are canceling their accts. that have had him forever. I agree purchasing a small freezer isn't a bad thing. My son in HI I worry about as he doesn't ever ask for help. I have tried to call him a few times and he is always out and their not good about calling back. So it makes me worry! i have been stocking up on groceries here and buying extra snacks to drop off for the kids. Just trying to make things easier. Years ago my grandparents helped my mom and us when Dad left us. I know how hard it can be and they picked up the loose ends and I will try to do the same as much as I can. So yeah times are tough stock up make meals that can strech and planting a good garden is smart. I am going to the local markert on thurs. going to stock up on peppers, onions and chop them up into 1/2 cups for cooking and freeze them. I have to make more pear bread going to freeze little loafs for future needs. I priced the little freezers about 178-210. In a few weeks that will most likely be a thing to do for me.
I have to say I feel more on plan lately thinking a bit before munching even with my baking its pretty healthy stuff. When I have my pear baked goods I fit them into my meal plan. I just got out some fall clothes and glad to beable to say I forgot that there were newly bought jeans yeah... pullover shirts and a few new tops that I purchased at the end of the last season. So I was very pleased they fit. I haven't gotten on the scale but every morning take a stripped look in my bathroom mirror figure what better way to keep myself on track. Crazy but what ever scares me into being good.
Penny don't be to hard on yourself remember you had some surgery and that alone slows our progress down. I seem to be having an easier time now with less parties etc. going on easier to stay focused. This weekend we have a full kitchen, gas grill , fireplace pit etc. so I should beable to take some healthy stuff and I am sure there will be some snacking that will be no no's but for the most part I will try to think first... Taking some shrimp for pre dinner appt. with my own made sauce, grilling steak, sweet potatoe baked and a lovely salad for saturdays dinner. We will most likely have one dinner out out the rest we are cooking thats my friends hubby and I we like to cook tog. our spouse forget it have no interest only in eating what we create
Have a great day lets keep it moving we seem to be headed in the right direction, eat healthy make good choices! I am not setting a goal this time just trying to look better in that dang mirror.
Loved the doggie pictures!!!








11

Well where is everyone? I am off to work in a bit. Got up at 5 this morning whats with that wide awake. I am sure it will catch up with me throughout my day. I read by the fire for awhile then got ready to start my day which is quite full today. I might work a bit later tonight just to catch up a bit. Too many reports they all come due so quick.
I plan to be on plan today. Hoping to get into a good walk today during my middle of the day to clear my head and continue on. That seems to work out well.
Talk to you all soon hope everyone is doing well.

Oooh, comfort food...I just ate some oatmeal with extra cinnamon and nutmeg, so that will do the trick, at least for a little while. I'm perpetually cold! I've been using space heaters at home and at work. It's too early for building managers to switch from AC to heat, and especially when the sun goes down, it's pretty chilly here.

Work has been frantic, and since I won't have Internet at home for another week at least, and I'm on the road most of the next two weeks, I may be an infrequent visitor for a while. I've packed my workout gear, so maybe I can do a little intentional exercise for the first time in nearly two weeks :woops: I have my travel snacks for the long cross-country flight--grapes, almonds, a Balance Bar--so I'm ready to go.

The awful economy is affecting my world, too. The whole nonprofit sector is in a panic. My organization was already struggling, and I'm very worried about raising enough money to keep us afloat. I may have to lay one or two people off my staff in the next month or so, a prospect that keeps me awake nights...

On that cheerful note, I have to run! Hopefully I can check in tomorrow or Friday.

judy

Heading Towards Weekend...
 

Hi everyone, it was a hectic couple days at work. It's amazing how many people make mountains out of molehills, just so they can b*tch about it. I think most people don't really know that missing a phone call from so and so won't end the world. I think that's always bugged me in professional life - that people don't have real, global perspective. Anyway, that's my whine for the day. BTW, all 3 days this week I've arrived in a GEAT mood, only to have all the negativity start to eat at me. Then where do I want to go - to comfort food land. Judy, your oatmeal sounds delightful at the moment...

Judy, I hope you can find some intentional exercise. I'm pretty sure that if I didn't worship the exercise gods, I'd fall into a deep depression. I haven't had any bipolar swings since I began the exercise bandwagon and I'm very happy about that. Judy, have you thought about one of those foam memory pillow tops for the mattress?? I bet there's got to be a solution out there. I love my waterbed since it's adjustable in it's firmness. A couple minute lie on a mattress in a store just doesn't give the answer to what it would feel like for a whole night.

Carol, I hope you enjoy your upcoming weekend. It's sounds much better than camping. I am a bed and bath type of gal. ;) I live in the boondocks, I don't need to go camping to get back to nature. You mentioned N. sparks new novel - right before coming to 3FC, I'd bought it at audible and it's my next book to listen. You can let me know what you think as I have a couple days before I'm done listening to the current book.

Penny and Carol, we just bought a small 7 ft. freezer from H. Depot. It was 210 I think. It's very nice size as the 21 ft was gargantuan. I couldn't handle just my fridge/freezer. I do like buying some in bulk for the big savings.

Penny, I hope that you're hubby's business starts to pick up. I'm going to get the ingredient for your goulash and put it in the crock pot (if I can find it) on Saturday. With DH on swingshift, that's just too much work.

Auntie, you're baby is BEAUTIFUL!!!!! I just love doggies. My heart belongs to the four legged wonderful creatures. I'd literally walk through fire, put my body in front of a gunman to protect them. My dogs taught me the beauty of unselfishness because I was truly self-centered BD (before dogs) and truly BK (before kids). So thanks for sharing your doggie's beautiful face.

I've exercised like crazy and stayed on track. Mr Scale was nicer today (back to the same weight as on Saturday - preTOM) so I was quite surprised. New dr. didn't accept me as a patient and I think that's just as well. I was seeing a couple pink flags (their fax never worked, they didn't follow up, etc). So I called my clinic and made an appointment with my new dr. there. It's in two weeks so I'll let you know. And tomorrow I'm having surgery on my right toe (yes again - different side) so if nothing else, that will slow the hiking and walking that's not allowing my heel to heal. I will be riding my bike though. Just call me exercise fanatic...
Marie

Auntie G - Thanks for posting the cute photos of your baby girl. She sounds like a lovable pup. She is lucky to have such a caring Mom. I always feel so bad for pets that are abused and neglected. We just went to Petco to get catfood and it breaks my heart to see the kitties up for adoption in their little cages. A cute black kitty was rubbing against the glass and blinking at us almost begging for us to take her home. It was so hard to walk away. At least these ones have a chance to get adopted.

Carol - It's times like these when we value our families and all need to pull together. It's good that you can help your daughter out. Our DS has been told they may lay off a lot of people soon. He's only been there a year, so he may be one of the first ones to go. He really loves living in Boise and has made a nice life for himself there, but it doesn't look like there are many job openings there right now. If it comes to it he can come home and live with us. Hopefully there will be more jobs in the Portland area. He doesn't have any savings to speak of and wouldn't be able to afford the rent on his house if he gets laid off. He's a hard worker and wouldn't be choosy about what kind of work he does.

Marie - I hope your foot is feeling better. It must have been awful needing to go potty during the procedure! It sounds like winter has arrived early in K-Falls. It's very nippy here today too. We were just talking about how we're glad we got our wood stove checked out just in case we need to burn wood with the cost of heating going up this winter. Luckily we have a lot of wood. My DH suggested we buy some extra blankets! We're filling up our gas cans so we have enough to run our generators in case of power outages this winter. We also need the generators to keep our well going if the power goes out.

Judy - I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that you won't need to lay anyone off. It must be a very difficult thing to do. I hope that your trip goes well. It sounds like you have some healthy travel snacks to take with you.

I'm a bit shocked how my weight has been going up. Mr. Nasty Scale showed 200 today. I think it must be from stress hormones or the change of seasons - I really don't think I've been eating more than usual. I'll have to start logging more regularly again before it gets totally out of hand. My DH has a terrible cold so I'm taking lots of Vitamin C, etc. as I don't need a cold with my surgery coming up next Wednesday.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Just passin' thru to say hi, chickies! My day is done, and I'll be flying home Saturday morning...and leaving again o
Sunday morning :(. Two more crazy weeks of travel. I'm mostly eating on program except for a fatty b'fast on Thursday--my first hot meal in over 24 hours--and too much chocolate overall. But I've been sleeping well, finally, and I took a little downtime yesterday morning to wander around San Francisco, window-shopping.

Marie, I hope your toe heals quickly. I wouldn't have consider going back to work that day, you are the original Iron Lady!


Penny, I hope your son can stay in Boise. I would be broken-hearted to relocate, really bond with a place, rhen have to leave again so soon.

Auntie, I'm the leading edge of the first generation in my family to grow up in cities, not on farms. My folks thought dogs and cats were okay, but animals were utilitarian, and even pets lived outside, under the house or in the barn. I'm sorry that I didn't learn to appreciate pets as a kid. Now I have too many allergies...

Judy

:broc::cb::broc::cb::broc:
Happy Saturday! Today's weigh-in got rid of 2½ lbs and under the big 200 barrier! Yippee! I'm so happy that I may NOT splurge too much tonight!

Marie, glad your surgery went well and you got to bail on work afterward. It's always nicer to have nappy time with the pupperonis! And sleet?! Wow! I think I'm going to have to get my shorts back out today! Crazy weather...

Penny, oh I can't stand to go into a pet store that sells cats or dogs. I can't stand to see them in the cages. I just want to take them home, and I know I can't, so I'd rather just avoid seeing the poor things. It's so hard to resist the cuteness! I hope you avoid getting your husband's cold! Keep up the vitamin C and stay away from him! :D And yeah, you've got to log your food. Really, it's so easy to lose track of how much is going in if you don't write it down. I know that was a huge part of my downfall a couple years ago, and I hope to never let it happen again!

Judy, I'm exhausted just thinking about all that travelling you're doing! At least you got some good sleep- that makes a big difference! I can definitely understand how people who live the farm life would see animals differently, and I wouldn't hold that against them. But anyone who abuses an animal because they are just a jerk, well, that's another story! :devil: My friend who is allergic to everything found that there are certain dogs she can tolerate, but when someone has the travelling lifestyle you've got, it's not very conducive to having pets anyway. Maybe a nice Philodendron? ;)

OK, have a great weekend everyone!!!

:bravo: AUNTIE!!!!! You're in one-derland. Congrats big-time!!!! And not just by a little bit. 1.5 pounds give a nice breathing space for female weigh fluctuations. I totally agree with your views on pets and farms. Although abuse on a farm is just as bad regardless or how they're viewed. I'm the biggest softie when it comes to kids and animals. Anyway, tonight no splurge as there is no bigger motivator than the scale being nice.

My scale was nice yesterday and took it away this morning. C'est la vie. I saw a better number yesterday so I know it's there and as I was at 1300 cals yesterday, I know it's water/salt/evilness of a scale. :D

OK, I've concluded Murphy is in charge. Last week I signed up for a free trial of NFL Field Pass ($40 to listen to all the Packers or Vikings radio broadcasts) but realized that Sirius had all the NFL games on it and DH loved Sirius last year so I bought all the toys for that (I'm listening to it right now - I'm starting to really like it as well). Anyway, all of it's set up and then DirecTV calls last night and offers all their channels, including Sunday Ticket (which I was a subscriber for 10 years but it was now up to nearly $300 a season so I canceled it) for $14 a month. OK, $300 vs. $56 dollars with all the movie stations. I said yes so now I have radio and TV of the games. I was content with the radio and then Murphy took over... So tomorrow i'll be watching football on TV and listening to the Packer's radio station as I really enjoyed their bias broadcast. :D

Judy, wow - how do you do it? I could never be a traveler. Home only one day??? I guess in your case it's not so bad as your bed is not comfy. Good job staying on track.

Penny, stay away from DH. Get a cold and you'll have to postpone the surgery. Once a decision ismade to go forward, it's horrid to have to postpone. Your OIT grad son isn't the only one in the same boat (for those that don't remember - our sons both graduated from Oregon Institute of Technology only a year apart). Our son's company gave him a glowing annual review, but also announce to the company as a whole that there will be layoffs in November. I told him to get a written copy of the glowing review as hes' only been in the job for a year as well. Our economy has nasty arms hanging out everywhere. It's hitting everyone

Carol, I hope all is going good.

My toe is feeling less throbbing and that's nice. DH actually took the doggies for a walk yesterday. He said he was amazed by them. He never walks them by himself. Not once. But when he got up yesterday, he started the wood stove (which has made my house toasty this morning), and then the dogs started pushing around him, their "we're going for a walk" routine. He asked how they had a clue. I told him I told the doggies before I left for work that dear daddy was going to take them for a walk. They remembered. :D DH just thought it was really strange.

Well I'm going to throw either Penny's goulash or pot roast recipe in the crock pot. Depends on the goulash ingredients as I couldn't remember them all at the store yesterday. I know I have the pot roast ingredients. :dizzy:

Marie

Just a minute to checvk in...yaaay, Auntie!:carrot::carrot::carrot:

Marie, I'm glad that you're a football fan, too. I will probably miss most of MNF tonight, but since my team (the Browns) will certainly lose, it's probably just as well.

Our stafft retreat is at a lovely beach house, and while we are going to be working hard, I am stealing time for walks on the beach (avoiding the large, numerous and territorial crabs) and sat in the hot tub last night....and trying to be a 'vegetable-tarian' again.

judy

Just a quick hello. My arm is very sore and doesn't seem to be getting better. I need to get it seen to after my surgery on Wednesday. From what I gather from WebMD etc., it's probably a torn rotator cuff or bursitis. I have very little range of motion and it hurts like heck! Does anybody know where I can get a body transplant? :lol: Wish me luck for my sinus surgery/septoplasty - I'll check back in when I'm up to it.