Annie
I am with you on your challenge. Not sure how well I will do but I need some motivation. My first challenge is to cut down on caffeine.

Laura
Poor Coal. He's like me. I sure can't take the heat like I used to. Hope the BF's mother is better.

Dee
Nice to see you back with the group. Could you have some fluid build up around your ankles? I need to start weighing myself daily. Helps me keep me accountable.

Shad
How did the birthday party go?

Happy
I'm going volunteer some where a couple of days per week but I think I want time to myself too.

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The biggest news that I have is the new employee has been hired. L and I are training him and he catches on quickly. He's been in the Army served in Iraq and Afganistan. I'm teaching the basics. My knowledge of 23.5 years stay's with me.

Annie:
I am with you on the challenge - although I don't know what to challenge myself with yet. I'll have a think about it over the weekend (while hiding out from the kids)

Other than that, nothing doing round here apart from the normal - such as:
The system doesn't work as it should
The system is cr*p
My password expired with asking for a new one. Therefore I am using someone elses (don't tell the world, it is a sackable offence)
It's fairly cold
My feet hurt. Can't be on them for as long as I used to be able to.

So I will take myself off to bed and hope for some miracles tomorrow

Good Morning All...

Believe it or not a quiet evening. Samantha kept the boys in "their" room watching a movie. 101 Dalmations. C and I went to bed fairly early. Him at 7:00 me at 9:00. Had to finish a couple of things. Made meatloaf, baked taters and broccoli/cauliflower mix for dinner. Quite tasty. Leftovers for C tonight. lol. A friend is selling a 5 drawer tall dresser that will work perfectly in Sam's room for them. 20 bucks. Can't beat that with a stick. By the pictures it looks to be in great shape. Picking that up tonight.

SHADDIE...sounds as if you need to pop some ibuprofen. My challenge is just to eat less and healthier to lose weight. We all know exercise is not my forte'. So I had a protein/fiber bar 150 calories for breakfast, which for me is great cause I normally do not eat breakfast at all.

CEEG...yahoooo, a new hire, it is all getting real now. Once you are hired, do not answer any questions for free. Tell them you will contract your knowledge out, but nuttin' for free.

DEE....I am at 192#. Looking at losing 10 before surgery. Would love to lose an additional 12# after that. Then I would be perfect. ba hahahahahahahhaha

LAURA...hope MIL is ok. That is some scary stuff. Poor thing, getting old sucks. Prayers said.

Hello to all. Make it a great day/night all.

Good morning ladies,

Just saying hi. Gotta get ready for 2 meetings in an hour. Things are going well with the visit. 2 nights ago we got a terrible rain storm. Up to 13 inches of rain in about 8 hours. Lots of roads are washed out. 2 deaths so far. Was really something but we are ok over here. Will try and catch up late tonight when everyone's gone to bed.

I'm in on the challenge too. I need a butt kicking.

Morning all. Still hot and humid today, but when I got off the train downtown, it was cloudy, so it wasn’t such a hot walk. Was just in the boss's office and I saw it had rained a bit.

Happy – Glad the visit’s going well. :) Wow, that’s a lot of rain!! Glad you’re okay up there.

Annie – Yay for a nice peaceful evening. Sounds like S and the boys will be around for a bit. Actually, that’ll be a big help for you after you’ve had your surgery. :yes:

Shad – Guess you’ve been through so many implementations nothing is unusual anymore, but it’s still frustrating. :shrug: I forget how long you’ll be on this job – was it through mid-August?? Or is an extension expected?

Ceejay – Yay for the new hire! Nice that it’s not a last minute thing. Yes, the basics are necessary for the new guy. And didn’t you have a binder documenting a lot of what you do? That should be helpful for him. Hopefully there’s enough time for him to learn enough of the routine (and non-routine!) parts of the job while you're still around.

Dee – I’m sure the new headboard owners will appreciate the hand-carved design. Isn't it nice to know someone else will get use out of the items?

Hello to Susie! :wave: Michelle, have we lost you?? :(

~~
The saga of my commuter bike continues. A week or two ago after work, I stopped and parked my bike a few doors down our block (at bf’s urging) so I could visit a neighbor’s new puppy (aww, very cute). Well, the bike toppled over and bent my basket (on the front) out of shape. Because of that, the brake cable kept getting hung up on the basket. So one evening after work, the brake cable got hung up once again and disengaged the rear brake. Oops. Of course bf wasn’t happy about that since he already didn’t like that basket. But he fixed my cable (turns out it wasn’t a biggie to fix). And now the basket is attached with cable ties to the rack that sits over the rear tire. I’m once again cycling to/from the train station. Hope there are no further bike mishaps this season!

Other than that, nothing much to report.

Re the challenge, I will weigh at least once weekly, and I will put a ticker in my post. Not sure what my personal challenges will be, nor my weight loss goal. Will give it some thought. I might go for a 5-6 pound loss. Lunch from home 4 out of 5 workdays. Dunno.

Okay, the work won’t do itself! TTFN!

Hello Worldlies

Annie
Maybe I should put my weight here too. Although I bounce up and down on a daily basis due to fluid build up. Think I may make taking my fluid pill daily as my challenge. I still need to cut down on caffeine. I'll weigh in the morning. Yeah that you had a quiet evening. I've already told them not to call me for work advice.

Happy
I didn't realize that your company was already there. Enjoy them. I heard that your area was getting storms. We could sure use some rain. I'm going to put out the sprinkler this afternoon late. Will not do any good because the sun will dry it up.

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Made some phone calls this morning. Need to make one more.
Signed up for a change of address online this morning. Things are falling in to place. The new hire is going to make my last days at work much more easy. I'm letting him do the leg work but I do have to watch him monitor the gauges. It's been a learning curve for him this week as the filters have started giving us problems.

Hi Everyone,

Went back to work on Monday, I had 1278 new emails! It took me until noon just to get through them. I worked over in in the office Tuesday night until 7. DH was working over too so that is why I stayed so late. We rode together. Tonight I worked until 6 as DH was working late too and we rode together.

I am just about where I have my head above water. I also started onboarding with my new manager this week. Still have the AD until they get someone hired. Old Director comes back Monday and will start offboarding the next two weeks.

Monday night I had a small Mary Kay party for a young friend of mine who is starting out with it. I had 4 ladies over and we had a fun time. I have some pretty lipsticks and eye shadow's coming as well as a blush that looked very good on me. I have been having a time trying to find a nice blush color for me.

Shad: I hope you can find S a nice little suit case that doesn't cost an arm and a leg!

Happy: Wow that is some rain you got! I hope the visit with mom is going well. Have you heard anything from the MRI yet?

Ceejay: How wonderful they have found your replacement and that this person seems to have some intelligence. I laughed when I read your knowledge of 23.5 years stays with you. I have to agree with that...I feel that way too about the things I do. I will teach basics, the rest, they learn the same way I did . Networking and figuring it out.

Annie: I like the idea of this challenge so I am in. I am going to aim for 6-7 lbs lost by that date. Thanks for helping us get back on track. I'm going to re-start logging my food in My Fitness Pal starting tomorrow. I'll also start with my weight at TOPS tomorrow night and take the 7 lbs from that weight.

Dee: I can't remember if I have welcomed you back, if I didn't please know I'm happy to have you here again, and if I already told you that, well, know that it is as true this time as the last time I said it! :hug::D

I have to think that your portfolio is worth more than $350 when and if you are ready to part with it. I wouldn't go less than $800 and I'd start the bidding at $1,200. It's like art and that isn't cheap, plus your reputation is priceless!

Laura: I'm glad to hear that BF fixed the bike and also worked it so you can still have you basked...even if he doesn't like it.

I am going to end now and get ready for bed so I can read for about 20 min and then get to sleep.

Hello Ladies...

What a wild night. Storms, storms and more storms. Our power went out about 8 pm and was off for a little over 3 hours. I got smart this time. I went around and turned all the switches to lights and electronics to the off position. No blaring in the middle of the night and scaring the tarnation out of us. Thankfully it all hit after evening chores, etc were done. Just call a good friend and talked for about an hour. Had to get off the phone as my charge was getting low. It is all good. All the more reason to get a generator I suppose. At least for the fridge and Cs CPap machine. It did get a bit roastie in the house. Hopefully that is over for the mean time.

OK everybody, sounds like all of us are getting on board with our challenge. Yeah, first day was pretty good. I did try to get in a few more hobbling steps than normal. My ankle just hurts badly enough to detour me from walking. Not gonna let that get me down. My portions were "on size" for the most part and more healthy. I had fish for dinner, no bread, lettuce and pickle. I did take a couple of bites of Sam's vanilla frosty. Wasn't all that good and wish I did not. Lesson learned. Have the same 23 total lbs to lose since a couple of months ago. No gains since then. Happy about that. When I get down to 169, I will be at the high end of my weight range for my height and a good weight for me. Come on 23 lbs. In other health news...I have been taking Vit D to help with bones for the fuse surgery in August. I just hope it fuses quickly and I am not on crutches/walker for longer than anticipated. Just 4 weeks from today. I am a bit apprehensive and just hope it is my anxiety. In addition, I am taking apple cider vinegar tabs everyday. Need circulation of blood to get to the surgery site for healing.

SUSIE...Holy cow 1278 in emails. I about crap when I have 350 after a few days. Email is so time consuming. Even filing off the email needed for future use. Onboarding and offboarding of peeps is a PIA really don't like that part of my job. Especially when a person is new to the company and all the ordering of equipment, phones, etc that goes with it. Bleh. Concerning MK... I like going to Mary Kay parties but not hosting them or any other type of parties like that. Just too much work. I used to do all that when I was younger, but not so much now. Good of you to help out your friend.

CEEG...guess you would be onboarding a new person too! How is he working out? Do the gauges give you fits with all this rain? Only a few more weeks to freedom for you. I would be so excited to move around family.

LAURA...glad the bike is back in commuter condition. Don't know way BF would not like your basket, he doesn't have to ride your bike. lol. Yes, Samantha will be of great help for me once I have the surgery. That is one of the main reasons she is not trying to get a job at the moment so she can help me. That plus she is finishing out her summer babysitting job.

HAPPY...hope you are enjoying your momma visit and all is going well. Patience my friend, patience. Is DH finding things to do away from the house? lol. Gotta love him for putting up with family.

Hi CHELLE and DEE and SHADDIE!!

Hugs all.

Quick post at lunch

I just wanted to check in and say that I just logged my food for the day. I can see that I can shave at least 100 calories off at lunch. That is my plan to start shaving off 100 calories off each meal, other than breakfast as I usually have only a fiber bar. I will most likely start by halying the sweet I feel I have to have at lunch time.

Anne: we had some storms too but did the loose electric.

You are doing a very smart thing to start prepping for the surgery with the extra vitamins and things.

Ok,,,lunch is over. Back to work for me.

Dang SUSIE...you must only get 3 minutes for lunch, that was quick....lol

Afternoon all. Oh how the day flies when you’re in a meeting all morning (well, 2 meetings actually) and then are invited to lunch afterwards. At least I got outside, because it’s a lovely day out there today. Much less humid and a bit cooler too. Very pleasant. :sunny:

Ceejay – Love it, you’ve already told them not to call for help! :lol: It sounds like you have a pretty smart new guy, and he’s already having to troubleshoot filter problems. Good experience for him. And what a nice break for you from the physical part of your job! ;)

Susie – Oh my, that’s a LOT of emails!! You’re speedy if it only took you a half day to get through them! Oh dear, all that OT you're working. Oh well, the paycheck will be nice. Just keep treading water! == Good approach to cutting the calories. I might try doing it that way. I don’t want to cut out snacks altogether.

Annie – Yep, smart to shut off everything that was turned on when the power was lost. I know Coal gets freaked out by the smoke/CO2 detectors going off/on when power cuts in/out. === I hope the Vit. D and apple cider vinegar help you with the surgery and healing.

Shad – Safe travels to Adelaide, and I hope you enjoy the party...or find a good hiding spot. :lol:

Happy – Hope the visit with your mom is going well and that you’re having good weather. Have you taken her on a boat ride yet? And gotten her in the hot tub? :D

Hi Dee! :wave: How are the steps going this week? :running:

+++

Forgot to mention I did a BE workout yesterday morning. Didn’t do one today though. :( Went to visit bf’s mom last night and she was much better than when we saw her on Sunday. Hope she’s able to get into the rehab facility soon. The latest hold up was a blood clot in her leg.

Okay, going for a 6 pound loss in our challenge. A challenge it will be! Been logging my food in MFP for a while now and I know I’m eating too many calories! Now to cut them back. Will probably be easier to cut back my weekday eating than the nighttime. :yes:

Afternoon/Evening
So far so good with taking my fluid pill and cutting down on caffeine. I've also started using fit bit tracker for my food, but trying not to get to OCD about it. Also decided to ride the bicycle today for ten minutes. My weight this morning was 205. Yes, I keep going up, but the doctor told me the heat an my thyroid will make me have fluid build up.
We got some much needed rain today and it cooled things down for a little bit. I think this front was the one that hit Happy's area earlier this week. It had a lot of cool air.
I bought a watermelon yesterday off of a truck and put it put it in the fridge yesterday to cool. Cut it this morning and it was not ripe. Good thing I only paid 3 dollars for it.
I'm hoping that my forms from my 401k come in this week.

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Susie
Wow, on the amount of emails!

Laura
Good for you in getting up early to do a BE work out.

Annie
When did you say the date for your surgery is?

Good Morning Chicksters...

Gonna be different this weekend. Chris is getting the boys for the weekend, Sam is going on a canoe trip with some friends and C is working all weekend. ME TIME!! Yeah I say that now but come Sunday I will be so bored and depressed I will look forward to work on Monday. bah.

I fixed a wonderful veggie salad and cheeseburger/tater tot casserole and mixed veggies. I did not eat the casserole, only the salad and mixed veggies. I will admit to putting some Olive Garden dressing on my salad. You can buy it in the stores around here now. Sam, C and the boys ate 3/4 of the casserole. Sam cleaned up the kitchen and I relaxed. C watched "Super Troopers" and oldie but goofy movie. All and all a nice evening.

CEEG......my surgery is August 11. I will be off work for 4 weeks. Returning Sept 8 or so. If all goes well. Boo on the watermelon especially if you are craving it.

LAURA...glad to hear MIL is doing better. Hopefully she will get moved to the rehab facility soon. Ok let's all giddy up on this challenge, we can do this, it is not all that hard. Last famous words. lol.

Hello to all, have a wonderful, safe weekend. Hugs

My day yesterday went well. I am definitely eating more calories than calories out. My weight this morning is up to 206. Yes I do fluctuate every day, even with the fluid pill. took my fluid pill and am trying to drink more water.
I still have not heard anything from the 401k forms.
Got word yesterday that my aunt and uncle are in the hospital. My uncle went in because he wasn't eating correctly an was low on nutrients an my aunt has been in the hospital for almost 3 weeks because her sodium is low.
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Annie
I can imagine that it will be a long week end. But enjoy the time for yourself.

Hi everyone,

I will post tomorrow after company leaves and catch up with everyone. Things are going fine, just too busy to get on the computer. The visit went quickly. Our town is flooded from rain we got Tuesday night. My knee is really hurting but am limping along. But it was good to spend time with Mom and SIL. Talk to you tomorrow.