Happy...you are the sneaker inner this morning....lol. Great job on the OP eating and exercising. Rock On Sista. Happy, our premiums did not go up on our health plan here...HOWEVER...our deductible went from 2500 to 2700 a year, so in essence it did go up. We have to meet that BEFORE they pay ANYTHING on our insurance coverage. SUCKS. There are no co-pays on anything, but we have to pay everything up front first.

Later Gators...

Oh and all craziness of our insurance...our calendar year is July to July. Not the traditional Jan to Jan. That has taken some getting used to.

Annie – It's good you get physical activity at your CVS job, and get paid by Humana specifically for your steps! I sit on my rump most of the day. I do, however, get some physical activity during my work commute. I do a combination of cycling and walking for a distance of just over 2 miles each day. During the cold (non-cycling) weather, I walk the whole distance and it's even better exercise. I'm not sure what that amounts to in steps though. I still haven't pulled out my pedometer. That might be my only goal for this week. :(

Ceejay – Sorry your hip/back is bothering you. I hope the cortisone is helping. Good job on the 10,000+ steps!! As for the pay, since you're doing some of it as part of your job, you are being paid for your steps, sort of…And hey, isn't your good health enough of a payback, LOL. (Guess not – since Annie's Humana as well as employers are enticing people with money for steps.) :D

Happy – Eliminating soda is a great goal. We've pretty much stopped buying soda at home, and now we make our own seltzer water (using a SodaStream machine) and flavor it with wedges of lemon or fruit juice. The machine came with samples of syrup to mix with the seltzer, but I haven't tried any yet. Every once in a while we'll make KoolAid with half the sugar. When I eat out, however, I still order diet soda at least half the time. Other times I'll order iced tea or just stick with water. I'd like to reduce diet soda to something I drink rarely because I think all the chemicals in it can't be good for my body.

I'm also wondering what our open enrollment will bring this year.

Mel – I'll pass on the kraut, but I love beans and franks! Don't overwork your eyes today with the flu forms. You're a good person for helping out your inept replacements!

Michelle – Awesome job on the exercise yesterday. I admit that I'm struggling on both fronts lately.

Hellos to Shad and Patty!

Not much to report. Food was awful yesterday, and I didn't even get my dog walk last night. Today I brought my lunch and snacks from home. Tonight is movie night and we're seeing "Extract" with Jason Bateman. :corn: That's about it. Happy first day of Autumn ladies!

Laura...I haven't even heard of the movie Extract with Jason Bateman. I must really be working too much. Get back with the healthy eating chickie...

I had veggie soup and salad for lunch and believe it or not, I am stuffed. Oh and a glass of BREWED iced tea. I had a protein shake for breaky.

Hi everyone -

I wanted to go for a walk at lunch but it was raining. :( So then I went by a friend's desk and talked to her. Then went to another friend's desk and talked to her. Then my lunch hour was over. I'm really hitting an energy wall...and I've got a class tonight that goes until 9:30, so I won't be home 'till almost 10:30. :faint: I should really go walk around the inside of the building. Today is not going to be a good day for steps, I'm afraid. Since I'm only at around 3200, I'll be lucky to get even close to 10,000.

Mel - So nice of you to help the seniors out with their flu forms. So 3 people can't even do all the work you do? What would they do without you?

Happy - Good for you for sticking with plan and walking! I didn't stay up for Letterman last night, but we did DVR it, so we'll watch it later. You drive carefully on the wet roads. I hope the roads aren't too bad this afternoon/evening with all the driving I have to do.

Annie - :bravo: my sista for treating your body so well! $150 for finishing the last level of your pedometer! :woohoo: That's a great incentive! The Zumba class is a little hard to keep up with...but I'm just glad I was able to do it for the first time in months!! $2700 is a HEFTY deductible. Sheesh! I hope our insurance premiums don't go up. I carry the insurance for us, and we have the HMO plan. Do you work at CVS tonight? Or are you getting together with T?

Laura - Wow, you walk and/or cycle over 2 miles on your commute! That's awesome! I don't know how you can walk that far in a Chicago winter. Yikes! I don't even like walking from where I park my car to the building in winter. The SodaStream machine sounds really interesting. I haven't heard of Extract. Of the movies out now, I wouldn't mind seeing Halloween 2 and Pandorum...but I can probably wait until they come out on DVD. Also, The Informant looks pretty darn funny.

:dance: :dance: :dance: oh boy - I've been waiting to be the "sneaker inner" and now it's my turn! :carrot:

Annie - I'm so glad to hear that you finally got a good night's sleep. Was worried about you kid. I know you say it's normal but... I don't know what's worse - paying up front until the deductible or sometimes you don't pay (preventative things) and sometimes when you least expect it you do. I agree with you - July to June year would mess me up big time.

Speaking of messing up, we get paid ONCE A MONTH HERE - is that archaic or what?????? Good thing DH always has money for me.

Michelle - add me to the list of people inspired by you - or sucked along in the whoosh of you walking by :rofl: I brought my MBTs to work today. Making a chart - cuz I like to see progress. First goal - 50 miles, 100 laps around the perimeter of the office building. 3 laps today so far, maybe I can sneak one more in after my afternoon meeting.

Laura - that's great that you can walk to work. I wish I could but I work in a rough part of town and it's just too darn hard walking along and carrying a laptop, purse AND bazooka with you ;)

I had soup and a cup of apple salad - chopped apples, cinnamon, ff vanilla yogurt and a tablespoon of chopped nuts - yummo. Still drinking the water, I imagine that the Coca Cola cravings, like a ciggie will dull over time the longer you stay away from them.

It's been almost 5 and a half years since I quit smoking and I can finally say that I hate the smell :lol:

Gotta get ready for a meeting. I'm the note taker :comp:

Did anyone see the movie with Matthew McConnahey??? and Michael Douglas - Ghosts of Girlfriends Past? It's on pay per view Thursday - is it worth $5? Next week they have The Proposal with Sandra Bullock - the critics really panned it but I'd pay $5 over the $25 it costs to go to the movies.

Happy - You get paid ONCE A MONTH? :yikes: I don't think I could deal with that. We get paid twice a month and that's hard enough...I prefer every other week. Good for you for getting your walking in and for making a chart!!! 50 miles is a wonderful goal!! Okay, you have inspired me to get up off my butt, back away from my desk and walk to the other building. Good for you for resisting the Coca Cola cravings. :cp: :cp:

We get paid every other Friday...and every week at CVS. Chelle...I do not work at CVS tonight. T is coming over but the poor baby is so tired. He had to start 3rds this week and is having a hard time adjusting. 10p to 7a. Sunday thru Thursday. We do get preventative stuff paid for up front, but heck most of the stuff is NOT preventative. Even our meds are not covered till the deductible is hit.

Hmmm - getting paid by the month is normal here. Usually on the 15th of the month. I got used to it years ago and I think I would be terrible at the weekly or fortnightly pay now. I'd be broke at the end of pay day. As it is, I set up the direct payments to go electronically out of the bank account for the due date and then just sit back and forget the lot. Just have to check that there is enough in the current account to get through the bills.

Financial years here run from July to June and in NZ from April to March. Of course if the company is overseas based, then it can change to October - September (UK) and Jan/ December (US). Fortunately I don't do much in the finance sector through work, so don't have to get excited about it. It just happens. And I don't have to work out how much I am spending in medicine either so that is a big blessing. $2700 pa :yikes: before your insurance kicks in!!! I don't think so thanks. I don't spend that much a year paying for my visits and medications and that is similar to what it would cost me pa to join a fund. So I don't think I will bother with that for a long, long time - if ever.

We are experiencing horrendous dust storms in Aus. Sydney and south are getting high winds and dust storms and apparently the skies in Sydney are bright red with dust and all flights have been cancelled due to dust and high winds. Nice clear skies, light breezes and heat up here for us. We are being bombarded with messages about the worst fire season ever and have been banned from having fires (including bbqs). But maybe we have rain on the way since the ants are becoming extremely active and I have to keep picking up the cats biscuits before they get into them. I did spray a while back, but I guess it's time to do it again. *sigh* And weed - those b*ggers never stop.

Happy - Glad to hear that you don't like the smell of ciggies any more. It's over 20 years since I stopped and believe it or not I still like the smell of a packet of freshly opened cigarettes. I do not like the smell of a dirty ashtray or the smell on a persons breath or clothes though. Very off putting. I like the idea of a chart to process your movement and exercise. Good one.

Mel - It's a case of "it doesn't matter if we stuff up, because Mel will come down and fix it" The *******s don't even want to learn the job. That's what happens when you are on tap as always. They think they can get around you due to your well developed sense of community.

Laura - walking and cycling to the station is good exercise. Keep it up.

Annie - nothing like a good nights sleep to lift the spirits and get the body kick started again.

Michelle - get the walking shoes on and get over to the other building. You'll do fine at weighin this week I bet.

Ceejay - Hope you are having a good day.

I'd better go get on with it until it gets too hot. Can't do much then. Paint dries on the brush. Tile adhesive crusts over before you can get the stuff on the wall. Have to go through my photos and find something to hang on the wall to lift the room. I was thinking of one of those sunrise in Woollongong ones. Better go get on with it. The electrician is back to finish the new circuit on the switchboard so I will be without power shortly. Aaah and I haven't made coffee yet. Gotta run

Afternoon
Sounds like every one is in a good mood today.

I had a nice surprise last night. My cousin Jack and his wife came for a visit. They haven't change much through out the years. It was good to catch up. I know they were hinting for a room to sleep but with knowing they wanted to talk all night I could not do that. I'll plan a week end for them to come back.
The boss has been here this morning. He's in the rearranging mood. It looks a bit different. I'm not sure if I cleared the pedometer this morning but right now there is 18,635 steps on it. I did help the boss and work up a sweat.
More later.

Well the dust storm has hit here and everything is a horrid shade of yellow/ brown. The wind is getting up and its pretty airless. Good day to do nothing but read a book or cook or something. I'm needing to come up with something for the loo room to finish it off. The jellyfish suncatcher is good but I need something to make it look brighter. Pink didn't meet with a very good look from the blokes here last night so I have will have to look for something with oranges, yellows and reds in it. I'm sure I have something in my stash of pictures.

I think the dust is giving me a headache. Time to go drink the water and get some tablets. See you

Geez Louise Shad - that's pretty scary looking! Hope you will be ok. Guess you don't want to be outside breathing that dust in.

What about using some bright accessories in the loo? Or window or shower curtains? People here seem to be on a kick for a dark loo - deep grays or greens with granite with black flecks in it. I guess that's ok for a small powder room but would not want my large bath done in those dark colors. I am not a decorator, yet I look at what some people do with very simple things and it looks great.

Morning chicks,

Shad - loved the DS comment on FB about the storm - he's got wit that boy does :D Right now does not sound like the ideal time to visit you!

Ceejay - that was nice with the family visit. Hopefully you can catch up again this weekend.

How are you liking the You on a Diet Michelle? I have the book too - one of the many collecting dust on the shelf. Shame on me :nono:

Annie - I must have read your post too fast - you must have one of those high end deductible plans - $2700???? Yikes - if you're reasonably healthy that's almost like not having insurance. However, if I think about it, for what I'm paying each month for Blue Cross/Blue Shield - your plan is probably still cheaper. I used to take coverage for granted because DH's benefits were so good nothing else can compare. And I had to rush things to pick up coverage this year after he got cut so I didn't have much time to compare. I know it's costing us alot more now. CVS sounds like a busy place at night -where all the happening people meet :lol: Then again the Walgreen's parking lots are full too. Everyone must be attracted to a drug store! I miss the combo stores they had in Chicago - could get everything I needed in 1 trip. Of course I spent way more too.

How many forms did you fill out on others behalf Mel? I think you need a hunky volunteer helper trying to get some community service points in. You could rub his back as he takes down the seniors info. :rofl:

Gotta get rolling here. Hellos to the rest of the ladies. :wave:

GOOD MORNING CHICKS. I AM OFF TO GET SHOWERED AND DRESSED. BUT I AM NOT GOING DOWN EARLY. WAITING TILL THE BULK OF THE CROWD LEAVES. YESTERDAY WENT WELL AND NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE CAME TO THE DOOR. THEY SNEAKED TO MY DOOR AND NO ONE TOLD THE OFFICE. WITH THE NEW INFLUX OF PEOPLE OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS, THERE IS LESS ILLITERACY IN THE BLDG....IN FACT IT IS ALMOST GONE. THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THE LANGUAGE BARRIER AND I HAVE ENCOURAGED THEM TO HELP EACH OTHER. HOPEFULLY NEXT YEAR WILL GO EVEN SMOOTHER...SENIOR WISE THAT IS. THE "MANAGERS" ARE ALL AMOK :dizzy: THEY CLAIM SOMEONE IS COMING AN HOUR EARLY TO HELP OUT. WANNA BET THEY ARE A NO SHOW?!
HAPPY WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY :moped:

HAPPY~ OBAMA IS RIGHT IN THAT IF HE DOESN'T GET SOME KIND OF HEALTHCARE GOING, THEN THE GOVT PROGRAMS WILL BE OVER USED AND THUS BANKRUPT. WHILE THIS IS ALL GOING ON...LATER THEY REALLY NEED TO ADDRESS THE WELFARE SYSTEM. NOW THAT'S A WHOLE OTHER SOAPBOX!! :rofl: HAPPY, I LIKE THAT IDEA OF THE HUNK!! I CAN DO BACKS!! :belly:

ANNIE~ IT ALWAYS AMAZES ME THAT YOU CAN SEE THE LINES OUTSIDE SMALL STORES GETTING READY FOR THE GAMES :rofl: PEOPLE ARE NUTS. THE ADS ON TV SAY WE CAN'T WATCH THESE GAMES WITHOUT THE FOODIES SURROUNDING US ON THE COUCH AND WE BELIEVE IT! :lol3: AT LEAST YOU GOT HEALTHY THIS WEEK. GOOD FOR YOU!!

LAURA~ HAVE FUN AT THE MOVIES. WHEN I TAKE MY LUNCH "TO WORK" DOWNSTAIRS, THEY LAUGH!! :rofl: YEARS AGO MY DD BOUGHT ME A METAL LUNCHBOX!!

MICHELLE~ SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE THE HIBERNATION BUG LIKE JEN AND I HAVE. SEEMS EVERY FALL WE GET SLEEPY-ISH AND THE ENERGY DRAINS. HOPE YOU SHAKE IT OFF. NICE STEPPING ANYWAY!

SHAD~ GOD IT GETS HOT THERE!! PAINT DRYING ON NTHE BRUSH HOT! :faint: GUESS I WILL HAVE TO STAY OVER HERE THEN. :rofl: WHEN MANKIND IS GONE...THE BUGS ARE GOING TO TAKE OVER THE PLANET. THEY LIVE THRU ANYTHING. HOPE YOU GUYS GET SOME RAIN THIS YEAR AND KEEP THE FIRES AT BAY. WHEN THEY SPOKE ON TV ABOUT CALIFORNIA...THEY SAID AS MUCH FOR AUS. SEEMS LIKE THESE FIRES GET WORSE EVERY YEAR. THE PICS ARE GORGEOUS AS ALWAYS. TOUGH CHOICE!

JEANETTE~ NICE FOR THE VISIT AND GOOD FOR YOU STICKING TO THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO YOU...LIKE PEACE AND QUIET! HOPE YOUR DAY GOES WELL AND CONGRATS ON THE STEPS!! EVEN FOR 2 DAYS THAT IS GREAT.

Happy Hump Day!

It was raining most of the day yesterday, and I had a class/workshop after work, so I couldn't get to the gym....so I only got about 6300 steps in (walking around and between buildings) but no extra exercise. Oh well, given that I walked almost 18000 on Monday, that still puts me well over 20,000 for the two days. I will walk more at work today and am going to the gym tonight.

Shad - Sorry to hear about the dust storms! That must be awful! The photos look so weird and eerie. I hope your headache goes away soon. As for the smell of ciggies...I quit nearly 20 years ago, and now I can't even be around it. Even outdoors, if someone is smoking near me, I can feel my lungs tighten. It sucks because so many people here smoke. But hopefully when the new laws go into effect that ban smoking in all restaurant and bars and some outdoor venues, I'll be able to breathe easier.

Ceejay - How nice of your cousin and his wife to drop by! Over 18,000 steps? You rock, sista! Great job on getting so much walking and exercise in!! :woohoo:

Happy - I haven't cracked open the You on a Diet book yet, but I listen to the audiobook in the car. I really like it. Some good info about the body chemistry and why things work the way they do, and some good common sense advice. I'll still follow WW, but I am gleaning some good tips from this book. BTW, is the presentation this week or next...or did I miss it? You don't sound as stressed about it.

Mel - I admit that I'm one of those who likes to munch while watching football. Normally I munch on pretzels and diet soda...but this past week's game was frustrating and I wanted to keep on crunching...and didn't have enough points for a whole bag of pretzels...so I crunched on carrots instead. Good on you and Jen for getting your shots. I'm getting mine in a couple weeks.

Lots to do today, so I'd better get on with it.

Love and hugs to all,

Hump Day/Trash Day..............

Well as it turned out last night, T called me here at work around 4p and wanted to know if I wanted to meet him at Good Fellas for dinner. Heck yeah, no cooking for me. They make oven baked pizza's. OMG it was so tasty. It had pepperoni (which I picked off, doesn't settle in tummy to well), sliced meatballs<---weird thing on the ZA but was good, green pepper, black olives and jalapenos (yep, can't live without those). I had 1 1/2 pieces of ZA, a side salad, and a full glass of water (probably a 30 oz glass. Not so bad, I guess, could of been worse. The ZA was so good, I wanted to keep eating it, but tummy said no ma'am. T started OT last night too, now he goes in at 8:00 pm and gets off at 7:00 am. Poor baby, altho he didn't really look all that tired.

****I have set a two night record**** Two blissful nights of sleep in a row. Is it the eating healther? or am I just plum tuckered out from all the excitement of life and work. LOL

Shad...wow the dust storm pictures look like something out of a nuclear bomb movie, or the end of the earth. Yikes! Stay inside and read, cooking always leads to overeating. wink wink.... Maybe you could place one of your beautiful pix of flowers in the loo. I love your pictures. You should go into some sort of photo business.

Ceejay....18,635 steps by this am. Me thinks, you forgot to erase yesterday's count. Or maybe not...just could be hopping around a lot.

Happy....Yes, CVS is a hopping place, filled with ALL kinds of people. I have been hit on about 8 times and asked out twice. WHere were all these men before I met Tony? Not a soul paid attention to me before and I was begging for a date. Life is funny like that.

Hidee Ho to Everone...Chelle, Patty, Laura and anyone else I have missed. Oh and the sneaker inners that will have posted before I could hit reply.

Love and Hugs

Ok MEL and CHELLE are the sneaker inners...back to post to you shortly.

MEL...let's see, you are a "No Show Sneaker Inner" NSSI- sounds like a cop show. It is sad about snacking during football/sports, but it is certainly job security for those of us who work at CVS...Most of the sales is alcohol. I think I may have mentioned on here before, but CVS did 2 million in the alcohol aisle ALONE last year. Wow, that is a lot of booze. Plus CVS has such awesome sales on alcohol, people tend to shop there instead of the typical liquor stores. At least in our area. Hmmm, all the fires, I wonder if that is how this all ends???

Chelle...I was raised in cigarette smoke, bad stuff, my dad was a 4 to 5 packer a day. It was like walking through a smoke wall. I blame all my medical and mental (lol) probs on my dad's 2nd hand smoke. I was never a smoker, so the smell has always grossed me out. For no walking and exercising 6300 steps is quite good. You are doing wonderful.

Better get on with this job. Played entirely too much this morning already.

Love and Hugs

I'm not in a good mood today. My hip is still very painful. I almost called in sick. I've told the boss that I'm taking it easy today--Not going up and down the stairs every hour either. I will be going back to the doctor tomorrow. I'm hoping he'll make an x-ray.

I'm going to agree with Annie that I didn't reset my pedometer yesterday. However, the boss and I worked like toe heads rearranging stuff.

Shad
Those pictures are spooky. Hope it doesn't last long. Stay inside as much as possible.

Ceejay, maybe you need one of Chelle's shots in your hip?

Ceejay - I hope your hip is feeling a little better. I'm glad you're going to see the doc. Does ice or heat help when you get home and can rest?

Annie - Until I was 10, I was raised in a smoky household. My mother smoked like a smokestack. I totally understand the wall of smoke, and I do blame my asthma on growing up in that environment. When I was 10, I went to live with my dad and step-mom who don't smoke (well, my dad smoked cigars occasionally...but not too much).

Tomorrow is the Worldlies check in day. I have a feeling I either stayed the same if not up one lb. Just a feeling, nothing to base it on.

Chelle...Go Figure..I raised my kids in a smoke free environment. Now my daughter has smoked since she was 20 she will be 24 in November. My son chews and has since about 17 he is 21. It breaks my heart too and I tell them that. I know I shouldn't say that to them for making them feel guilty, however I just hate that about both my kids.

Morning all,
Well our skies are clear again but it is a bit hazy out there. Everything is covered with a layer of orange/red dirt and we are being advised not to exercise outside today or for the rest of the week since it will take that long for all the dust to settle. Today the dust cloud has moved north to Cairns and Townsville. We should also wash the house walls and not let water into the rain tanks (should it ever rain) until the guttering is cleared and cleaned. Mother Nature sure is showing her temper this week. Fire, dust, wind, hail and snow. This continent has had it all in the last 7 days.
I've been looking through my photos and have sort of picked three to take to the store and have printed. I'll attach them at the bottom so we can take a vote on yes or no or if you think there are others in the collection that would be better, let me know. I'm not sure about the orchids. I might prefer another picture of a subject which is closer.
I'm thinking of printing them around size 10x8" and either putting them in a silver frame or maybe on a block and no frame at all. Either way, they are to go on a deep aquamarine wall. The paint is actually called Dashing Green but it really isn't green.
Weight unfortunately is up this week. It's because I have been eating too many carbs and not enough veges. I'll have to work on that. Not good.

Mel - Take care and avoid the officials. Otherwise you will be back in the thick of it. They just love volunteers. Take your lunch with pride in the metal lunchbox. Did DD decorate the box?

Happy - good to hear you are moving easily in the new shoes. I really need new trainers myself. I might have to take a trip to the States to get some. They are so incredibly expensive here. Bah Humbug.
I've seen the dark trends in loos and bathrooms over here. Can't imagine showering in black granite with splashes of red and having to have the lights or candles burning all the time just to see your way around. My loo - which is separate from the bathroom is in white, black and aqua. It looks a bit clinical (but clean) that is why I need to brighten it up a bit. If it was black and red, being the size it is (small - about 5' by 3') it might just be like the inside of a coffin - closed.

Michelle - Sometimes a day off from the gym is beneficial - gives the muscles a time to heal.

Annie - dinner sounds good if not on plan. Helps sometims.

Ceejay - Probably all that rearranging didn't do the hip much good. Hope it feels better today.

And with that it is time to get on with the day. I've wasted enough of it already. But that's life.

Today is not a good day for me emotionally...I'm worried about my dog. He's having problems with his gums. They are bleeding and sore and he's having trouble eating. Since he is diabetic and on insulin, we need to make sure he eats...so I'm giving him softer foods. I'm going to call the vet today and see if I can get him in tomorrow. They'll have to put him under anesthesia to examine and clean his teeth and fix his gums. He's such a sweetie. I hate to see him in pain.

I got about 17,500 steps in yesterday, which included an hour on the treadmill. And I did well eating within my points. Hopefully, weigh in today will be good. After work, I plan to go to the gym for 1/2 hour of cardio, 1/2 hour of weights and maybe 1/2 hour of Tai Chi.

Shad - Mother Nature is sure taking it ALL out on the land down under, huh? The photos are lovely!

I'll catch up with everyone later...lots to get done this morning, including trying to get out of this worry funk.

SHAD~ GLAD TO HEAR THE DUST STORM IS MOVING ON. HOPE IT ALL SETTLES DOWN QUICKY. WAS THINKING OF YOU EARLY THIS MORNING...WE HAD MORE SHOWERS. MORE RAIN THAN WE HAVE EVER HAD ON THE EAST COAST THIS YEAR. MUST BE SOME OF YOURS!! WILL SEND STORMY THOUGHTS YOUR WAY :rain: HOPE THE HEADACHE LEAVES WITH THE WIND!!! THE FLOWERS ARE BEAUTIFUL AND I LIKE THE CLOSE-UP SHOTS BETTER. BUT I AM NO JUDGE OF DECORATING WHEN IT COMES TO PICTURES!

MICHELLE~ WOW!! THAT IS A MESS OF STEPS!! YOU COULD HAVE WALKED HERE BY NOW :running: I AM NOT A SPORTS FAN BUT GIVE ME A GOOD MOVIE AND I CAN MUNCH MY WAY ALL THRU IT!!! :hun: TV WATCHING IS HUNGRY STUFF!!
* JUST READ ABOUT THE DOGGIE. HOPE ALL WILL BE WELL WHEN THE VET SEES HIM. SENDING YOU ALL A BIG :hug:

ANNIE~ 2 MILL IN BOOZE!! WOW!! YOU AND I ARE IN THE WRONG BUSINESS!! WE SHOULD BE MAKING HOOTCH IN OUR BASEMENTS AND BOTTLING IT UP FOR THE BIG GAMES!! :rofl: GLAD YOU GOT OUT TO EAT AND EVEN HAPPIER TO HEAR YOUR 2 NIGHT RECORD SETTING SLEEP! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK :cloud9:

CEEJAY~ HOPE THE DR CAN HELP WITH THE HIP. NOTHING WORSE WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO WORK THAN HIP PAIN. SENDING A :hug: YOUR WAY.


:cofdate: I CANNOT TELL A LIE...I ENDED UP SETTING UP THE ROOM FOR THE NURSES WITH 2 MAINT MEN. IT HADN'T BEEN DONE YET AND NO ONE KNEW WHAT TO DO. SIGH. THEN I GOT OUT OF THERE FAST. MY FRIEND CALLED JEN AND I DOWN WHEN THE CROWD THINNED OUT. NOT THE CROWD THAT WE EXPECTED. NOT EVEN NEAR A 100 PEOPLE. DON'T KNOW WHAT THE DEAL WITH THAT WAS. I USUALLY HAD 150-200. IT FIGURES THOUGH DOESN'T IT?? :rofl: JEN IS STRUGGLING WITH SINUSES AND NOW THE "FLUSH" OF THE SHOT. I AM SO SO. BUT JUST GOING TO HAVE SOME LAZY DAYS. CARPET IS BEING REPLACED IN THE OFFICE AGAIN....THEY DID A BAD JOB AND IT'S BEING REDONE. I ONLY NEED TO OPEN AND CLOSE THIS TIME AND ALSO FOR THE COMPUTER TECHIE. HE'S GOING TO BE HERE ALL DAY SETTING UP THE HOST COMPUTER FOR THE INSTALLATION OF ALL THE NEW COMPUTERS. SO THE WEEKEND IS ALL MAPPED OUT FOR ME :rofl: BUT THIS IS A "CASH" JOPB SO I AM HAPPY. O JUST HOPE THE SENIORS STAY QUIET!!!
HAPPY THURSDAY/FRIDAY :moped:

Mornin Chickies.

Well H*ll, I forgot to set the alarm clock last night and didn't wake until 6:30 this morning. That is about 1 1/2 hours later than I need to get up. Was rushed getting ready for work and was only 25 minutes late. WOuldn't of been that late except the traffic at the later hour is horrendous.

Chelle.....Great on the steppers. March on chickie. Goodluck at weigh in today. Poor doggie, hope everything is ok with him.

Shad...I vote for picture #3. It is brighter and more colorful..Altho a pink flower would look lovely also. Smiles...

My check in...not so good....up 1 lb. to 155. I know exactly why too and nuff said about that.

Heys to everyone.

Love and hugs.

MEL...you win the sneaker inner prize today.....You just can't stay away from that office, can you. It is hard to give up something you worked so hard to organize to an unruly crowd...

Good morning ladies,

Quick check in for me.

Michelle :hug: I hope everything will be ok with your puppy. Working on the teeth is always traumatic for them. Do you have to give him insulin or just monitor his food? I am astounded by all the steps you get in.

Annie - I'd say you did good (25 minutes) for oversleeping that long. Sure does wake you up fast when you realize what's going on :yikes:

Mel - you'd better get in and out of the office with that carpet installation. All those smells and dust will not be doing you any good my friend. Oh how they depend on you - but the cash is always welcome, right?

Ceejay - hope you got in to see your doc and your hip is feeling better. I think they had me doing some physical therapy exercises. Not sure if they helped much.

Shad - I actually like the orchid shot as it's an interesting display. But the 2 orange flowers will no doubt pop on your aquamarine walls. That will add some interesting contrast. The pics are all very pretty.

:wave: Laura - did you get your mojo back again? :D

I guess I'd say I did ok this week. Didn't get to walk yesterday -started out 3 times and continually got disrupted. Got a few things done last night when I got home so feeling good about that. I'd say I started to tackle some of the bad habits. Taking my shoes (which I can feel working the leg muscles now that I'm doing regular walks in them) and plan on making up some laps today.

Gotta run. Everyone have a good day.

Well, it's Thursday so I'll just report for the challenge that my weight went the wrong way by an appalling number this week. Other goals were not met. Yesterday was okay for eating though, and in spite of the shock of the number on the scale this morning, I think I'm feeling less anxious about things overall and ready to get down to business.

I dug out my pedometers (turns out I have three) yesterday. I have an old one from McDonald's (a freebie that they were giving away when the introduce their new salads several years back) that's really just a step counter. I figured that was good enough for the time being, and the display still displayed and it reset when I hit that button, so I clipped it on yesterday evening and took doggy for a 25 min. walk. Total: 27 steps. I think the battery is gone, you think? :lol: I will look at the other two pedometers tonight and get one of them set with fresh battery and settings, etc. I suppose if I only care about counting steps and not the actual distance I go, I don't really need to worry about entering the correct length of my stride, etc. Such a PITA.

Okay, I'll have to get back later for personals!

Checking in. I actually lost .4 pounds, and it's better than a gain. I also lost an inch in the bust and gained an inch in the hips. I'm wondering if my hip is swollen due to the imflammation.

michelle
Poor doggie. I didn't realize that they had diseases such a diabetes. And yes the heating pad does work for awhile and so do the Tylenol arthritis strength meds. I need to take some more. I'm going to wait till tomorrrow to make sure these will help.

annie
Hugs. :hug: You've had some rough spots this week. Don't let it discourage you. Yes, I have had the injection in my hip but I think I over did it on the first day. The injection made me super hyper.

Laura
Hugs to you also. I know life gets in my way but it's not going to rule my emotions any more, easier said than done though. Good for you in digging out your pedometers. They probably all need new batteries. Had to replace the batteries in my blood pressure machine this morning. I thought I was a walking "dead person" this morning. It kept giving me errors.

Happy
Hope you get your walk in today at work. Working on the bad habits are great goals also. 50 miles is a good walking goal.

Mel
I think I smell a rat in the office. If I were a betting pere I'd say they just didn't do what they were supposed to do knowing you would do it. Get some rest.

Shad
I like all three picture's but the last one is my favorite. Glad the dust storm has moved out of your area also.


We had a horrible accident at work yesterday in the electric department. One of our line man was working on a transformer when it exploded. He was severely burned. He's in the Memphis Medical burn Center. Keep him in your thoughts.

I've been cleaning house this morning. The bathroom and kitchen are clean, and most of the laundry is done.

I still had over 7,000 steps last night from work.

Well Cr*p....I forgot my shower knob broke again in my shower. Will have to purchase yet another knob. I can't believe it as I am the ONLY one who showers in there and I am certainly not rough with the shower handle. It is like the metal is eating the plastic knob. Can't find a metal one anywhere, don't even know if they make them to fit that. This life is nichol and diming me to death. Will I ever meet the needs of my bills. Just shoot me in the eye.

Thanks everyone for your good wishes for my doggie. I am leaving in about 1/2 hour to take him to the vet. They want to examine him and do blood tests before they even consider doing a teeth cleaning and putting him under anesthesia. Hopefully, they'll just give us antibiotics and something to stop the bleeding and the pain and then we can bring him in for a cleaning when it's healed. My poor little guy. :(

Weigh in went good...not as good as I hoped given all my exercise....but I lost 0.4 lb, so I'll take it. :) Despite the stress of my doggie, my eating is good today. Not sure if I'll get in all the exercise I planned...what with the trip to the vet and all.

Mel - Sounds like you do have a busy weekend planned, but extra cash is definitely good.

Annie - Good thing you were only 25 minutes late. Up a lb isn't bad considering the wedding last weekend. Sorry to hear you have to change your shower knob again. That sucks. I'm surprised you can't find a metal one...not even at Home Depot?

Happy - We give my dog insulin injections twice a day, and we have to make sure he eats well at the time of the shot...so he doesn't get too much insulin. We don't check his blood daily (like I used to check mine). But we do take him in for periodic blood tests. Good for you for all the walking! I love that you're charting your miles! :woohoo:

Laura - I think your McD's pedometer has seen better days or at least needs a new battery.

Ceejay - You and I lost the same amount, and you're right...it is better than a gain. I'll bet the increase in your hip is due to inflammation...are you putting ice on it? A heating pad will increase inflammation (even though it does sometimes feel better than ice - ice will reduce inflammation). Yup...doggies and kitties can get diabetes...and we've taken care of both. Steroid injections can make a person hyper...as can oral steroids (Prednisone). Sending :angel: and saying prayers for the line man who was burned.

Well, I've got a few things to finish before I leave so I'd better get to it.

Thanks again for all the good thoughts about my dog!

Lots of love and hugs,

Annie – Oy, the alarm. I get ticked when I forget to turn it off for the weekend and it goes off on Saturday morning, but it's worse when it doesn't go off on a workday! Had no idea CVS did such a big liquor biz. Not the shower knob again! How frustrating. :tantrum:

Ceejay – Sorry you hip's still bothering you, even after the cortisone! Hope the doc can help you get some relief from the pain. Good to tell the boss you're taking it easy on the steps at work. And remind him about your hip the next time he wants to rearrange things in the office! Congrats on the loss this week. Awful news about the burned employee. I'll keep him in my thoughts.

Happy – Glad you had a good week for the challenge. Hope you make up the laps today. I just took a walk after lunch (Subway turkey sandw., baked chips) and now that I'm downloading podcasts, it's nice to walk and focus on something other than food and work while on my lunch break. I think I'm getting my mojo back. :cool:

Mel – Wonder why the flu shot volume was lower this year. Busy weekend for the office. What a hassle with the redo of the carpet. Don't hang around there sucking up those toxic fumes! Crossing my fingers the seniors stay quiet. :crossed:

Michelle – I'm so sorry your doggy is suffering gum problems. :( I hope the vet can get them taken care of. I do not look forward to the day we have to have our dog in for teeth cleaning. I wish we'd gotten him on a tooth-brushing regimen as a pup! Good job on your exercise and food, and the loss! I didn't see anyplace on the McD's pedometer for a battery, or a screw to get to it, so I think that's it. I have a red heart-shaped freebie pedometer from Barbara's Puffins cereal, and I have another I bought from a sporting goods store many years ago. One of those should be fine, once I get the batteries changed out.

Shad – I hope the dust settles soon – the yellow sky seems so apocalyptic. Like Annie wrote – is that how it all ends? Keep inside! As for the pic for the loo – I think a more intense color against the aquamarine paint would look very nice. I also prefer the light, bright colors. I just bought a new shower curtain, but haven't gone out and bought all new coordinating rugs, towels, etc to go with it because the curtain colors are all deeper and I'm unsure if I even want to keep it.

Most of this morning was spent in a CPR class – I'm on the emergency committee at work. Thank goodness they have annual refresher courses! Nothing going on tonight, but I want to get out for a dog walk - with a working pedometer. Have a good afternoon ladies. :wave:

Afternoon all,

Meant to post this morning but got sidetracked. It's easy to do. I'm just waiting for the plaster to dry on the loo walls so I can patch up a couple of bits of paint. The tiling is finally finished. I can put all the tools away - Yahoo. Now only a few bits to do in there and get on with something else.

Not much to add today. I'm very tired for some reason so think a siesta might be in order.

I'll be back later to catch up on the posts.

Happy Friday ladies -

I took my dog Doppler to the vet yesterday. She examined him and ran blood tests. She was planning on doing a full dental cleaning today, but the blood test showed he was anemic (from his gums bleeding so much) and that his platelets were very low (which is why his gums were bleeding so much). She said that the low platelet count can be caused by his immune system seeing his platelets as something that shouldn't be there and destroying them, which can sometimes be caused by something a tick excretes into the blood when they bite (and we were just in tick country up north, but we checked the dogs for ticks and didn't see any). All our dogs are on Flea and Tick prevention...but that means that the flea or tick dies when they bite, so they could bite and get their anti-clotting agent into the bloodstream. She said normally they would treat this with antibiotics and steroids, but a side effect of the steroids would be that Doppler's nicely stabilized blood sugar would be thrown all out of whack. So instead she prescribed an immunosuppressant drug so that his platelet count would get back to normal. She said essentially, he has an auto-immune disease right now. But she believes it will clear up in a couple weeks. So antibiotics and immunosuppresants it is for a couple weeks. And she said that we can use Anbesol on his gums to help him be more comfortable. And for awhile, we're supposed to wet his food to make it softer for him to eat (and not as rough against his gums). I'm using low sodium, fat free chicken broth...and he's wolfing it down. He already seems more comfortable and hopefully by the time I get home today, he'll be feeling better.

I didn't get any exercise in yesterday, as after the vet appointment, which took awhile, I went to the pharmacy to get the prescriptions. But my eating was good and healthy. I'm planning to go to the gym tonight and this weekend. Other than that, no big plans for the weekend. We're kind of playing it by ear based on the weather. I will get to the gym and make some veggie soup though.

Laura - Every time I pay for a teeth cleaning for my dogs, I kick myself for not brushing their teeth regularly. But they hate it so much. I've got to do it now though at least once per week. Of course, I'll wait 'till Doppler's doing better before I brush his teeth, I don't want to aggravate his gums and get them bleeding again. Get those pedometer batteries, girlfriend! Glad to hear you got your mojo back. That's cool that your company sends you to CPR class. I'd used to know how to do that...but my certification lapsed long ago.

Shad - You might be tired because you're always busy doing something! :lol: Or it could be with all the dust in the air, which doesn't allow you as much oxygen as you need. Sometimes we all need a siesta.

A big :wave: to everyone! I'll check back in later.

Love and hugs,

Good morning chicks,

A quick hiya before I have to skeedaddle out of here. :wave:

Nothing much going on here other than I'm eager to get the work part of Friday out of the way so I can get busy here at home.

I'll try and get on at lunch time. Happy Friday :grouphug:

Good Morning All....

Well got to work and went to make coffee, couldn't stand the site of the silverware and plastic ware drawers...soooooo clean both out with 409, went to the supply room, found some vinyl folders, cut them in half taped them together and made drawer liners. Washed out the ware holders and now it is all nice and clean....Eventually I will have that breakroom clean and useable to my standards. lol

Chelle....well the news on doggie is better than expected. Could of been a lot worse. Hope he gets to feeling much better. I finally got 8500 steps in yesterday. I had been wearing my pedometer in the wrong place and it was only chalking up about half my steps, so now I am getting a better count where I am wearing it now. I have been cheating myself of steps since this past January, almost a year. What a duh head.

Shad...you are exhausted from all the work you do in the loo...lol. More ways than one. hehe.. I am the jokester this morning.

Laura...at my last place of employment, I was on the Safety Team and got CPR and ADE training for free. I do miss that now as I am no longer certified. Good for you! Keep OP this weekend and give us a great report on Monday.....

Tony's OT got changed to Sat night, so we actually get to spend some time together tonight. Sad thing is we are both exhausted and will probably sleep most of it. LOL. At least we will be together. How dorkie is that?

I have had....drum roll please....4 nights of uninterrupted sleep. I am feeling pretty good at the moment. The funny thing is I have been sleep on top of the comforter, sleeping side to side rather than the normal direction on the bed. I am thinking, hey whatever it takes....I will do it to sleep. Hella Bella thinks I have lost my mind, cause when I kiss her goodnight and love on her before bed, it is from the wrong side of the bed according to her. She just stands and looks at me.

Hey to all....have a great Friday...TGIF fo sho.

Love and hugs.

Happy...you are the sneaker inner today...have a great day at work, my dear.

Hugs

Annie – we covered the AED in the CPR class as well. Our company has this training annually, so I should be able to keep up the certif. as long as I'm willing to be on the Emerg. Committee.

Food's been much better the last couple days (eating more rationally) and I weighed in this morning down two pounds from yesterday's weigh in. Certainly was something going on other than pure weight gain at yesterday's weigh in, but I'm still up a pound from my starting point. But I earned that. :rolleyes: Bummer about the undercounted pedometer steps - you could have earned your $$$ more quickly. But it's better than having overcounted.

Hope your co-workers follow your example and keep the break room clean.

So nice you're sleeping well this week! LOL about Bella's reaction.

Michelle – Doppler has a pretty complex health situation. I hope the immune system drug does the trick and he gets back in balance quickly. Re the toothbrushing – my bf thinks it's too late in the game to start (doggy is 6.5 yo), but I think it's worth a shot. But it's too tempting to take a short cut and just get in there with a toothbrush, instead of taking all the steps to get him accustomed to it – i.e, getting him used to having your fingers in his mouth, rubbing his teeth, etc. It's something that takes consistency, that's for sure.

Finally: I popped a fresh battery in my pedometer and steps so far today are 2282.

Shad – Your post reminds me that I have to finish the patching project I started last month in the dining room. A couple patched areas were larger and took longer to dry… and I never got back to it the next day. Yeh, I agree w/ Michelle – wonder if all that dust in the air is making you feel tired.

Hellos to Ceejay, Mel and Patty!

I have my annual mammo tomorrow morning, oh fun. No other exciting weekend plans, but I need to do some shopping for just about everything. Saturday is forecast as rainy, so I won't mind being indoors at the stores. Okay, back to work for me. :comp: Have a good weekend everyone.