Good morning to you,

We are having a pizza event at work today. Since I am on the committee, I have to help serve. I said I hope that we could get to eat - most often we miss out on those things. One of my coworkers who lost some weight recently said - well I don't need any. I said - that's YOUR personal choice. Calorie fanatics like reformed smokers are quite annoying. I mean yay - it's great you lost weight but who wants to hear you analzye every calorie that someone else might be eating?

Went and joined the gym yesterday. Set our start date to Saturday just for convienience. I bid and won a 1 month family membership. Not so sure the husband will be going - it's not his thing. The did a nice job renovating the locker rooms since we were last there. Peeked in on a Zumba class. There were about 10 people, 2 of which seemed to know what they are doing so perhaps I have more options than just Zumba gold

Mel - I'm so sorry the eyes are acting up again. Hope it's just a little blip. What did you eat for brekkie? I need ideas!

Shad - will you be headed to the paddock to teach or are you just sending out the lesson plans? Our IT dept - the ones who roll things out - don't seem to do a very thorough job of testing and catching glitches either. Depends on who you know and that standards set at the upper management.

Annie - hope your laptop woes get fixed fast - the unfinished work piles up.

Laura - hope the foot heals quickly. Mow twice a week? I think the BF would laugh at you. Saw American Idol and Lee at Arlington Park - quite a fitting place for a "dark horse" candidate . He sure did fill the stadium. I think he's got an excellent chance of winning.

Michelle - I hope DH gets some powerful stuff to get over the ear infection. I think ears and eyes hurt more than anything else. How was the Zumba DVD?

Ceejay

Gotta run. Spent more time here than I should have. Have a good one ladies.

Hi ladies -

DH's doctor appt went well. He's got a middle and outer ear infection...a really bad one too. The doctor gave him antibiotics and super strong ear drops that DH says feel like battery acid. Hopefully he'll be feeling a little better by the weekend. The doctor told him to stay on the medications for 10 days, but he should feel improvement within 48 hours.

Work is still busy, but much more manageable (so far). No 11 hour days this week. And I will have time for weigh in (though I'm not sure I want to after only being able to exercise a few days, and less than stellar eating last weekend. Now, Annie, before you get out the rolling pin...I will go to weigh in and I will stay for the Weight Watchers meeting.

The house painting is 99.9% done. The painter says he has just a bit of touch up around the door to do...but I can't see where. Anyway, it looks GORGEOUS! I'm so very glad we went with the chocolate trim...it blends so nicely with the roof and all the trees on our property. They did an EXCELLENT job! Their quote was higher than other painters...but it was definitely worth it in my opinion. And they were so meticulous about cleaning up after themselves each day!

Tonight is Zumba and strength training, tomorrow night an hour of Zumba, and Saturday more Zumba and strength training! Have I mentioned how much I love, love, love Zumba and the accompanying endorphins!

I'm so far behind on all of your posts. So I will try to catch up/comment.

Mel - What an adorable penguin graphic you posted on Saturday! So cute! DMIL's visit is going great, and she actually beats me at Wii bowling most of the time. I hope the men problems are getting better. I agree with Shad...about talking to both sides separately and getting them to work it out. I hope you get an appt with the eye clinic.

Happy - Just catching up on your vacation recap. It sounds like you had a nice time. I'm so glad for you. So nice that your mom had a good time too. I'm looking forward to seeing photos. I can't wait to for my vacation - less than 3 weeks away! I hope to do some swimming in, but not swallowing, the Pacific Ocean while I'm there. Sounds like you did very good on the first day of the new food plan. I don't particularly care for the Smart Ones English Muffin breakfast sandwiches...but I really, really like their breakfast quesadillas. I have one of those on the days that I don't go to the cafeteria for an Egg Beater and veggie omelette. that you got your health club certificate! Hope you get to try out a Zumba or Zumba Gold class soon. There are ALWAYS new people in our Zumba classes. It takes several times to get a handle on the steps/routines...so just do your best and most importantly HAVE FUN. The Zumba DVD was okay...a good workout, but not as fun as doing a Zumba class with my friends. Mind your foot now...and if you do Zumba or other aerobics classes....modify your moves to limit the amount of impact, okay? As for your pizza today, enjoy it. I do enjoy a good slice of pizza every now and then. I hate food police. Especially since they don't understand that on WW, NOTHING is off limits, as long as you eat it in moderation and count the points.

Annie - Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip are some of my fave cookies...that and oatmeal chocolate chip. I baked some regular oatmeal cookies for DH's birthday last weekend. He said he'd rather have that than a birthday cake. I indulged in a couple the first two days...along with some yummy ice cream. But I've been able to resist the temptating sweets since Monday. Your shoulder is still bothering you! Do you have any more PT visits left? Maybe they can use the electrodes. So nice that you had a good conversation with your DS. How long until he's home on leave? I hope they get your computer problems sorted out soon. It really sucks about the layoffs, but I hope people get to take advantage of the 6 weeks of severance while they can look for something else. A company I worked for in CA did that, and I really appreciated it. They also offered free resume review services and interviewing coaching by the HR department.

Shad - I hope work is going well, and that DS2 is able to fix the shower leak without too much trouble. I'm glad the kid got home safe and didn't start playing with the rifle. Sorry to hear you're bored. I'll post an "after" house photo soon. I may have a "before" as well from Christmastime, but I'm not sure.

Ceejay - Sorry to hear about the hand. I hope it's feeling better by now.

Laura - I hope your foot is feeling better. I haven't tried sewing clothes since I was in high school, so I applaud you for that talent!! So nice that you got to enjoy the AI hometown celebration!! I really enjoy garage sales...and I used to drive from sale to sale on the weekends. Now, if I pass one while out doing errands, I'll stop if they have anything that I can use. Thanks for shopping at Kohl's...sounds like you got some great deals! Spray tans sound interesting. I wonder how much they cost and how many "coats" a fair skinned person (me) needs.

Time to get some work done.

Love and hugs to all,

I FINALLY GOT AN APPOINTMENT FOR JUNE 9TH FOR MY EYES. IT'S THE 1ST AVAILABLE DATE BUT A DR CALLED ME BACK AND TOLD ME IF THERE IS NO IMPROVEMENT AT ALL BY TPMORROW MORNING I AM TO GET MY BUTT DOWN TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM IN THE NEXT TOWN OVER AND HE WILL GET MY REPORT FROM THEM. THEN I NEED TO SEE HIM ON THE 9TH. I'LL TRY AND KEEP YOU ALL POSTED BUT FOR NOW...NO LIGHTED SCREENS AND KEEP THE ROOMS DIM. THIS TOO SHALL PASS. WISH ME LUCK

Weigh in....up 0.4 to 214.0. But I'm sure it has to do with the stress of last week and the exhaustion/flu of the weekend. I'll lose that plus more this week.

Hi everyone!

Shad – I looked up Roma – if I found the right spot, the map didn’t show many streets, so it looks like it’s way out in the boonies (boondocks). That’ll be an adventure!

Mel – Sorry your eye is giving you problems. No appts until almost a month from now! That’s so ridiculous. I hope it improves before then so you don’t have to go to the ER. Sounds like there’s an interesting story behind granddad – would that be Richie’s dad?

Annie – I can imagine some quick transitions going on at your employer #1 if it means getting paid for not working and being able to get on with job searches. Hope the IT guy fixes your computer – quick!

Happy – Hope you get to enjoy some pizza at/after the event tomorrow – without the calorie police eyeballing your plate! I have enough hang-ups about food and eating without having other people judge me about it. Hope you enjoy the gym membership and the Zumba classes. My Bally’s card is languishing in my wallet… Did you see that Lee made it to the AI finals? I agree he has an excellent chance of winning it.

Michelle – Glad your dh has some drugs to fight that infection. Looking forward to seeing pics of the paint job. Glad the contractor met your expectations! I’m sure you’ll Zumba off that measly 0.4 gain in no time. Only 3 weeks til your vacay – how wonderful!

Hola Ceejay!

Not much to report. I was tired and cranky by the time I got on the train after work yesterday. I skipped exercise and a dogwalk. Bf and I went to Kohl’s and got some great deals – a pillow, blanket, and some stuff for bf (I bought my stuff Sunday and didn’t feel like shopping for anything else).

Foot’s still painful, but a bit less so than yesterday (wishful thinking?). I’m on day two of not using the orthotics in my shoes, so I’m hoping the pain will ease up. This’ll sound strange, but I’m really hoping it’s the orthotic that’s causing this problem because then it won’t be something else to figure out. At this point, I think walking for my cardio needs to be shelved until I get this foot thing resolved. I will ride my bike instead. Plans for tonight…hmmm. I’ll do one BE workout and if it’s still nice out, I’d like to grill something for dinner. Well, it would be bf who would do the grilling, lol.

Enjoy the rest of your day ladies.

I ALREADY MADE ARRANGEMENTS FOR MY TRANSPORTATION TO THE EM. ROOM FIRST THING IN THE MORNING. MY EYES ARE KILLING ME. JEN JUST WENT SHOPPING AND GOT ME FROZEN FOODS AND THE RECOMMENDED MOISTURE DROPS. THEY WILL HOLD ME UNTIL THE MORNING. I WILL DEFINITELY BE AWOL FOR AWHILE UNLESS THERE IS A MIGHTY BIG MIRACLE. BUT I WILL BE THINKING OF YOU. STAY WELL AND TAKE GOOD CARE OF EACH OTHER
PS: JEN IS LEAVING FOR THE TRAILER AS SOON AS WE GET HOME FROM THE HOSP SO SHE WON'T BE TYPING EITHER.

michelle
I know how you dh feels. I've had a few of those ear infections myself.

Happy
If you want the pizza eat it. Don't let her talk you out of it. I don't like people like that. I may have pizza for dinner.

mel
hope your eye's clear up very soon.

hi to Laura and Annie

Went to a district water meeting today in Jonesboro. Sat with a group from paragould. My boss didn't go so I picked up his award.

Morning girls,

Guess I'm the first one in here today. Glad to see the week come to an end.

Ceejay - did you get an award too or just the boss?

Mel - I'm so sorry about the eyes. And we won't have Jen to help us out sending you good wishes my friend and a quick cancelletion on the doctor's end so you can get in there quick and get taken care of. But do what you have to, you will be in our thoughts every day.

I notice the bright computer screen is starting to bother me too. Need a softer beige background.

Michelle- you have had a horrid week. I'm sure the cortisol is trying to course through you so don't worry about the scale. Get through the week and do the best you can under the circumstances - just don't stress eat and the scale will behave Battery acid in the ear - poor DH! Glad the house painting came out so nicely - I swear that extra few bucks is well worth it if they clean up nicely.

Laura - you sound like me with the foot. I do find that sometimes the orthotics seem extra hard and irritating on my foot. Hope you feel better with just a few days rest from them.

Annie - well that's a rather creative way of giving people severance and ensuring that no loose strings go untied. I know exactly what you mean about just wanting to have a job with longevity where you can do your thing and they pay you regularly but unfortunately that is no longer the new "normal" in life. Hubby is still looking for a job to no avail, he is going to try for a job at the home improvement stores but I fear it's really low pay and probably will be part time with just a few hours a week. Don't know what to do anymore.

Except that I need to get out of here while I still have a job to go to. Happy Friday - see yah later.

Oops - hi Shad almost missed you way back in the paddock there

Happy Friday ladies -

TGIF!! We were supposed to take our dear little doggie Mischief to the vet to get her teeth cleaned today. But her drop off time was 7:45, and DH is still too dizzy to drive, and I have to be at work by 6:30. So I rescheduled her appt until next Friday, when I'm off work the whole day because the office is closed. I'm hoping DH feels well enough to do some fishing or other fun stuff this weekend. Yesterday, he said it still felt like he had a knife in his ear, but it wasn't as painful as earlier in the week.

I did Zumba and strength training last night...and tonight is an hour of Zumba. Tomorrow, I'll probably do 2 hours of Zumba, then take my DMIL and her sister out to lunch and we're all getting our hair done by my husband's cousin.

Laura - I'm glad you found some good deals at Kohl's. They are having big savings tonight and tomorrow morning, so I'm going to pick up some shorts for DH and maybe some exercise shorts for me. All my exercise bottoms are too heavy...of course my bottom is too heavy as well, so I guess they match. Riding your bike is a great idea. Do you use weights or bands for your BE workouts? I'm sure we'll do some grilling out this weekend. The weather is supposed to be gorgeous and quite warm starting on Sunday. :-)

Mel - I'm sending you lots of : and healing hugs for your appt today. I hope they can get your eyes to feeling and working better. I hope you are able to rest and relax this weekend. We'll miss you...but take care of those peepers, young lady.

Ceejay - Nice of you to pick up your boss' award.

Happy - I'm definitely doing pretty well at avoiding stress eating now. And I'm happy now that I'm exercising every day. When are you going to take your first Zumba Gold class? I hope you like it as much as I do...Remember, if any moves hurt...modify them. The instructor should be able to demonstrate modifications for all the moves, especially since it is a Zumba Gold class.

Annie - I hope your computer is doing okay!

Shad - Are you enjoying your weekend?

Love and hugs to all,

Hi everyone! TGIF!!!

Mel - So sorry the eyes are bothering you! Hope the ER docs can help bring you some relief. Take care!!

Ceejay - Nice of you to pick up the boss's award. Weather must not have been too bad for you to not skip the meeting?

Happy - Hopefully your orthotics do more good than harm. I'm not sure that's the case for me...

Michelle - Your hubby's infection felt WORSE than a knife in the ear??!! Poor guy. I hope the drugs bring relief SOON. Coal has to have his teeth cleaned this year, first time. I hope it's not too expensive - we just paid his insurance premium. Too bad we didn't buy the "preventive maintenance" coverage, lol.

I use hand weights and sometimes leg weights for my BE workouts. I have resistance bands, but I don't use them much. When I did Jazzercise, occasionally I'd take one of the Body Sculpture classes, and they use the bands a lot. The BE shows also use one of the "dime store" play balls in some routines, which I like. They're very much like the squishy miniballs that we used in Pilates class. Do you ever use a large fitness ball in your strength training workouts? Hope you have a great weekend doing your Zumba.

Hellos to Shad & Annie!! One or both of you have probably snuck in as I type this!

Yay for Friday, except it's overcast and will be on and off rainy. But mild at least. Last night I did one BE workout, and I also took a short spin w/ the hula hoop. I need to get back to interspersing my single BE workouts w/ longer MR workouts or doing 2 BE workouts. Bf thought he'd lost his wallet, but then he found it. Whew! That would have been a pain to deal with. And he would have been a pain to deal with too.

Nothing going for tonight, but I'll try to get rid of some more paper - tomorrow morning is the document destruction event! So far I have two full shopping bags of stuff. Knowing that there are a few other such events scheduled in neighboring suburbs took away some of the urgency of having more done for tomorrows... Regardless, it feels good to start w/ a thick file and finish w/ a thin one. Sort of like weight loss, lol.

Tomorrow afternoon three of us HS friends are taking a food tour in a neighborhood where one friend lived when she was a kid. She lives out of town now, and when she comes in we get together for an activity. It's a walking tour... my foot's feeling okay, but I've been doing very little walking this week. Hope that's not a problem. I'll probably wear my Birkenstock's because they're really the only comfy footwear I have right now. Tomorrow night is a surprise birthday party. The three b-day gatherings in the past month or 6 weeks have been in the same family that bf essentially grew up with. I think there'll be a lull for a while after this... Nothing planned for Sunday, but the weather is supposed to be warm and sunny, so I'd like to get out for a bike ride and/or do some work in the (weed) garden.

Okay, too much rambling. I've got work to do! Have a great weekend everyone.

Laura - At my vet, it costs between $250 and $350 for doggie teeth cleaning. Thanks for the info about the BE workout. I've got some hand weights and some cheap bands. What I like about bands is that to increase the resistance, you just "choke up" on the band. I did a strength training workout a couple weeks ago using barbells and weight plates - and it definitely worked the muscles differently. Have a great time with your friends and at the b'day party!

Annie - I got your very sweet card! Thank you SO much!

Lunch is over, and it's back to work for me.

Love,

Good AFternoon...what at day....Last staff meeting with this management, kind of sad but glad it is over. We ordered in pizza, I brought in taco salad and we had carrot cake, which I immediately puked up. I just know I can't handle sweets but it look great and tasted even better. Dang it anyway.

Just got back from PT. It was the first time it wasn't so bad. It barely even hurt and she said my flexibility was soooooo much more than before. I have really been trying to make it work harder and not baby that arm. This Sunday will be 6 weeks since the break. Doc said it would be completely healed at 8 weeks, so I guess that is why the improvement.

I work all day on Saturday and not looking forward to it. I get spoiled working 5 hours slots then the weekend comes and get a 7 or 8 hour shift. I am a wuss. Sunday-no workie-so I am going to try to get some yard work done (without breaking anything).

Chelle....I have never had Belle's teeth cleaned, they look fine to me. Plus I refuse to spend that much $$ on her. If her teeth fall out she can eat mashed potatos. You are so welcome for the card. Now get busy on yourself, no fluffing off. You have about 5 weeks to lose 14 lbs. and onderland, now get with it.....

Laura....mmmm, lots of celebrations and partying, watch the food intake. Calories add up....be careful with your feeties.

Happy...you and me sista, I am SO happy the weekend is here. If I had to get up early one more day, someone might not live. I just want to sleep and sleep and sleep.

Ceejay....good to see you my sista.

MELLIE MELLIE MELLIE....hope the eyes are feeling better. Let us know what the ER doc says. Hugs my sista friend.

Hey Shaddie...what's cookin' sista?

Have a marvelous Friday/Satuday!!

Loves and Hugs,

Annie - Sorry your lunch and the cake didn't sit well with ya'. Glad to hear the PT is going well, and that you have Sunday off. I know most people don't get their doggie's teeth cleaned...but Schnauzers are extremely susceptible to teeth/gum problems. Plus, they are me and my DH's kids, and they're still cheaper than buying school clothes and paying for college. Frankly, I'm not sure I can lose 14 lbs in 5 weeks, but I'm sure gonna try. Hope you have a great weekend, my sista!

Annie
Hugs--i must like my job. I've been at it for nearly 20 years. It does have it's ups and downs though.

Michelle
Wow that's a lot for teeth cleaning for an animal. Hope your dh is feeling better. My ear would feel like pins or needles would be in it when my ear drum was infected.

Shad
I'm not sure what a baddock is but it sounds as if it is out on the back forty somewhere. Your life is never a dull moment.

happy
No I didn't get an award, just my boss.

Mel
I've never had eye pain. but i'm sympathyzing with you. Rest those eyes.

My trip to my new family doctor revealed that I have carpal tunnel syndrome. I kind of suspected it because of to much computer time. I also had him to check a place on my arm that looks like a pimple but it isn't. He said that it was a type of staph infection and asked if I had been going to the gym. He put my wrist in a splint to wear at night or if I needed it to wear in the day time. I'll need to curtail my time on the computer.

Afternoon all,
Sorry I have been missing again, but I got real busy yesterday and then came home only to go to sleep in the chair watching tv through the back of the eyelids. Today has been shopping, cooking and housework and plenty of it.

Mel has sent me an email - I think Happy got it too. She has been in the ER and getting medication for extremely high blood pressure and her eyes are not too good either. She wanted us to pass the message along so here it is in its entirerity (if there is such a word)

Just wanted to give you the update. I was held over in the ER for a few hours while they waited for first me & then when that didn't work....for a pill to bring my blood pressure down. They said it was way too high for someone sitting in a wheelchair in such a weakened condition. they snatched me right out of the witing room when the first attendant reported my BP. Scared the crap out of me & I was wishing i had a diaper on!!! lol
To bereally honest, I have not been feeling myself and could tell something was going very wrong. I began making appointments with my Drs last week because of it.
Funny that I go to the ER for the eyes and end up on BP meds. They are too strong for me and now I need to cut them in half. If that doesn't work then the big hospital wants me out there. BP meds are hard to prescribe for someone with my condition. Figures right?? ROFL I need a lot of rest right now she said and called in another Dr. He said the same. Rest so the body gets used to the BP meds. He said this could take a lot of trials and errors. I already have a call into my MDA Dr at the clinic. I want a third opinion.
I can get on the PC when the eyes show some improvement. Maybe in a few days...... they said the vision is also being affected by the BP. Since I took the pill, the eye pressure has gone down.
Sorry this is turning out to be a book! Can you fill the gals in for me. Thanks! sending love to you both, Mel

Not good for her.
And I can't send her flowers because of her allergies. I may have to think of something else. Suggestions are welcomed. Fruit basket maybe??

Sorry no personals at the moment. I want to get the washing finished and the floor swept in the kitchen, dining room and lounge before I sit down to lunch and it is already 1.30pm. I'll be back.