Hi Ladies,

Just a quick post to let you know I have been reading all your posts and find them very interesting! To answer HalGal's question--the temperature here has been 116 on Sunday, 115 on Monday, 115 on Tueday and 114 today! It really is almost too hot to even go any place. However, we bowlers are still bowling!

It's great to hear from Mooz and Thin--as far as the move is concerned Gene is leaving it up to me. I have been in contact with the contractor who is building new homes in East Palestine, OH. Part of me wants to pursue this move and another part says "way too much work--and do I really want to do it." And you guessed it, I am eating away my stress in making this utmost important decision that most definitely will have an impact on our future.

I did get my sewing machine back on Monday and they did an excellent job--it runs like a new machine! The first thing I did was make a tshirt for my friend Joe who is in the rehab center where Gene just left. Today I also put designs I got off the internet on two t-shirts for myself. HalGal, I most definitely will take some pictures. I have a CD coming with Strawberry Shortcake and I can hardly wait to make some shirts for my 3-year old granddaughter, Angelina. HalGal, do enjoy those boys--children are most precious because they are so loving and just fun to be with!

Take care all and have a "super" rest of the week!
Anita

Hello Ladies,

Great to see alot of posts. Things are still busy here and I don't see any relief. I do count my blessings because 1 year ago we had several rounds of layoffs. I'm just hoping we hire someone soon. I have been trying to walk at lunch with two friends, they know i'm stressed so they encourage me to walk. Their the ones i usually eat lunch with, so I kinda of have to go.

Hal - I'm sure it doesn't matter what you serve the boys. They'll be happy just to be visiting you and Rocky. I'm a buyer. I purchase turbine parts and dragline parts for our power plants and our draglines. I get to spend lots of money, but unfortunately it's not the stuff that exciting to buy. Gee just think if i was a food buyer..(ok, i'm drooling here) I thought the Carly Simon song was about Mick Jagger? I guess that was the rumor I had heard.

Nita - Is there anyway you and Gene could make the trip to visit the development. Maybe that would help with your decision? I saw on the news about your high temp. Be careful when you go out driving, carry bottle water with you. (OK do I sound like your daughters) we're due for some 100degree weather this weekend.

Shad - So where's your next trip? That's great you have a traveling companion.

Thin - Hey, we all understand your time constraints. Post when you can. Congrats on your 3lb loss :cp: Where you able to get any assistance for your mother?


talk with ya later,

Yaa Hoo on a couple of counts really.

1. It is Friday and the weekend stretches in front of me.
2. I have a friend coming to visit tomorrow and I am really looking forward to that.
3. Scale is looking a bit more reasonable this morning.
4. Well, just because really.

Great workout at the gym last night. Felt good at the end of it - stuffed but good. Drove home, feed the cat, showered and got stuck into the necessary work.

Dinner was quick and a I baked a cake, did a load of washing, paid a couple of bills and cuddled with the cat while trying to stay awake to watch a tv program. Sleep however won and I woke up some time later. Went to bed and couldn’t sleep for ages.

Miss Puss is not pleased with me cos I put up some white timber venetian blinds in the lounge room windows and now she can’t sit on the window sill and watch the world pass by the door. Not much of the world has passed by the door lately. She is going to be even grumpier with me when I do the same to the spare room!

Tonight is dusting the computer table and get it ready to move down to the bedroom because the painting and sanding will be starting in it’s corner next week. Progress indeed. I need to get the electrician in soon to sort out the lighting, fans and power points - not to mention aerials for tv and also I need to think about where to put furniture so I can get at the plugs on the wall. I would like to fill the entire wall with cupboards and drawers & shelves and it is a long wall. We shall see.

Anyway, time to go start my last scheduled training class. See you.

[/FONT]Hey there Chicks~~ Just a quick post to bump us back to page 1 and the TOP! ;)
Starting to get some ambition back, the temps are cooling off at night at least so one gets good sleep! And it actually rained(? drizzled for a tad more like it) but at least some has found it's way here, and tomorrow and Sunday there is chances for more. Maybe the wild berry crops will still adjust. Raspberries are VERY abundant even w/the dryness. The second batch might not do so well but this first ripening is pretty good. Wish i had more recipes to use them. I just love eating them fresh about the best. Hard to pick a cup-full when i keep popping them in my mouth! We have alot of wild blueberries in the county i live in, but they are sparse and alot of people get out and take them all right away. It is a big thing here, and now when one hears how good blueberries are for them it does make it more enticing.

HalGal~~hope you are doing well and is it this weekend that your nephews arrive? Have a great time with them. Also i did email you so hopefully it reaches you. Lately some of my letters to 2 people who use AOL have come back to me! Yikes, don't know what is up with that.

Made a homeade soup last night for supper. Finally cooler weather to make & eat some hot soup. Well, it could be called a stew but i don't thicken up the liquid. Spuds, carrots, celery, onion, rutabega(my secret ingred!), and some lite Hillshire Farms smoked sausage. Oh, also use alot of pepper and one vegetable bouillion cube. It is so yummy when one hasn't had it for a long time! Leftovers for tonite so i don't have to cook again YAY!

~~1DAY~~ hope you get someone hired at work soon to help you with the workload. It can get to a person when they just want you to do both jobs! Take care of yourself and keep up the walks w/your co-workers YGG!!!

~~SHAD~~ are you a single lady? Sounds like you have so many household chores to handle that arent' the norm for us ladies. Proud of you for learning so much! I wish i knew half of that stuff! One never knows when we need it.

~~~NITA~~ Wow, you are having quite the heat wave there. I did see on the news how terrible it is with like 20 people dying from the heat--mostly are homeless. That is just so sad. Wish they had more shelters with air cond. or at least swamp coolers!
Glad you got your machine back and are right on the job making things again. That was sweet of you to make that guy a t-shirt that you & Gene met at the Rehab center!

Hi to ~~MOOZ~~~~CAT~~~& ~~~our missing MichelleZ~~~ Think of you often...heard there was bad storms near Milwaukee...how was it by you??

:wave: :grouphug: thinlizzie

Hi, all.

Very slow at work. We keep adding people because there will be a huge jump in calls in October when people get more information about this ridiculously complicted prescription drug plan that's coming. But right now we sit around with hardly any calls.

I did read a very interesting book by an Israeli Jew who reached out to Christians and Muslims--will get the title if anyone's interested.

Have been doing better with my yoga.

Yes, Shad, you do seem a very busy lady. No wonder you dozed off!

Best to all.

Hello to everyone on this cool Saturday evening.

Had a wonderful visit with Chris. It is so good to have a friend who one is so comfortable with. It just like having an old pair of comfortable walking shoes around the place. Such a good day. Time went by far to fast but that is life. It always does when we are enjoying ourselves. We've more or less sorted out the route for the Italian job. Both of us were not interested in sticking to the cities - we want to explore the little mountain towns of Tuscany, Umbria and the Veneto. Then a bit of time in Switzerland maybe? We haven't worked that one out yet. Chris tells me this will be her last big trip. She is looking to return to NZ in three years time. I shall have to find a new travelling companion if I am going to continue travelling. Anyway we will just have to make the most of this one. Who knows it may be my last as well.

So I'm now processing my vegetables for the weeks lunches and dinners. Then I am about to watch a bit of tv cuddle with the puss cat and a fairly early bed. Tomorrow will be busy. I have another part of the ceiling to plaster and paint, some sanding to do, some grouting and I really must wash the car. There is a need to go to the hardware store and the gym must be visited. As well the washing needs hanging out and bringing in, folding and ironed. The lawn needs mowing as well. Aaaaaah well no rest for the wicked.

My DB1 just rang to thank me for the orchid that I put on his doorstep tonight. He has been in bed for a week with pneumonia. Still doesn't sound too bright but is on the road to recovery. SIL is still waiting for the 2nd scan to decide the story on her tumour of the pancreas. Haven't heard from the rest of the family so don't know what happens then.

Time to go get those peppers out from under the grill and then to watch that tv I was rabbiting on about previously. See you, back later when I've had a chance to read the posts.

Hi Ladies,

Just a quick "hello" from Phoenix. Today we are experiencing humid weather--something we ordinarily do not have. So again I will be staying inside. I received my Strawberry Shortcake and Sponge Bob designs in the mail yesterday and at this moment I am embroidering Strawberry. If I would only stay in my play room most of the day, my eating problem would be solved.

Shad, you sure are a busy lady--but that is what keeps us going. My friends are coming over to play cards this evening so it will be my first entertainment in several months. I am actually looking forward to their visit.

I was going to check out LA Weight Loss today but after talking to one of my friends I decided against it. The WW program at the State will be starting again the middle of August and hopefully by that time I will be ready to get back into control. I have still maintained my 40 lb. loss but have gained back about 12 lbs. because initially I had taken off 54 lbs. Well I am the only one who can take care of this problem and I really intend to do so!

Thanks again for being there. You ladies are so great. Not having family here is really difficult and at least when I get sad I can always come to our site.

Take care,
Anita

Hi everyone~~
Thought i'd post a quick reply to Nita on the LA wt. loss. That is what my MIL there in Mesa lost a good amount of wt. on---- 28# i think she said, and about 14 more to goal. The main thing that makes LA work is the cutting out of sodium and alot of red meats.(they have to take a teaspoon of some kind of salt daily tho'.) I think she said she can have pork or beef once a week or so. Protein is also a big key thing. She does buy their protein bars and religiously eats two of them a day.
She has the same breakfast daily (which i would have to vary--i can go awhile then i begin hating it!) Hers is 1/4 cup of eggbeaters done in microwave, 1 or 2 of the lite rye wasa breads and fruit. then a bar for a snack. Lunch might be 1 cup lettuce(they have to measure that too, which to me seems odd...how can one eat too many veggies?) with 4 oz. of salad shrimp and ff dressing. also a wasa bread here.
Then supper could be grilled chicken, some kind of veggie(w/ limits) and fruit. Another protein bar for evening snack.
OH, also when she opens canned tuna or such , she rinses it many times b4 eating it, and she weighs that too, she can only eat part of the can as her protein serv at that meal.
The potato is pretty much gone from her life it seems
:( Tho when she was here on vac, it was hard to stay so strict. I had made potato salad twice for some of our big family gatherings! YIKES. And i know she indulged a bit. And she journals, but i did notice she 'forgets' to write some of the things she cheats on down in the book! like all of us! LOL. She still goes to be weighed in at her LA wt loss place, and does aqua aerobics and was doing some walking, however i doubt many can do that outside in Phoenix area right now. Very sad to hear of all those people dying there from this heat wave. Hope it cools off for you and rains here for us. We need it really bad, but so far today only clouds for us, i think it's going south again :(

I have the wasa breads from her visit, trying to use them b4 they totally go soggy from the humidity. The crunching thing is what she says they stress, don't just do protein drinks cause your body misses the chewing sensation. Sounds right. That and her bars and maybe she will reach her goal. Well, i need to weigh in and get a new start. I have no idea where i am at. Well, what clothes fit me kind of tell me a bit. I couldn't have gained it all back yet...but i must start to go back down or who knows
:wave: :grouphug: thinlizzie

Thanks Liz, I appreciate your comments about LA WL. In all honesty, I do feel WW is still the best program out there. But I also know one has to be ready and want to do it according to the plan. Perhaps after Gene gets his urinary problem straightened out, I will be in a better frame of mind.

Because of the heat I have not been exercising and I sure can tell the difference. I don't have my usual energy. I am going to try and go back to the gym starting Monday and perhaps I can get into the swing of things.

Thanks again for your comments.
Anita

Well that is the weekend gone. Too fast again. I didn't get most of what I had planned done. But that's the way life goes I guess.

I didn't get the car washed, or the painting, sanding, plastering done. I did get to the gym and into the garden. So I haven't been exactly idle I suppose.

Yes Liz, I am solo. I live alone with Sunday the cat. I've always been interested in building design and decoration, so it doesn't bother me that I do a lot of things which are considered to be male oriented. I have a collection of tools that can make a man drool. The only things I don't touch are electricity and the car. Mind you the car is under warranty anyway so that is not a problem at this time.

That LA weight loss plan sure sounds like a lot of work. I'm not sure I could follow something that I have to stop and count, choose or becomes mundane. I do like variety in my food. That's why I go to the gym 5 times a week.

Okay, time to go tidy the kitchen, fold the washing, shower and cuddle with the cat for a while before bed. Work again tomorrow.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...thballoons.gif

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...pyBirthday.gif


Happy Birthday Anne, and many more to follow.

It would be nice to be slimmer but we have to realise we are getting older and it is getting harder to lose. All we can do is try to be the best we can and do the things we need to do.

Is it really a year since I was toting Sinead and Caroline around the countryside?? Good Heavens. How time does fly.

I think I will take Wednesday off work. There is little for me to do at the moment and it gets really boring sitting around drumming up things to do. Today I couldn't even get onto the internet and find out whats happening in the rest of the world. Some one had managed to give me a different password for the internet and mail. Such fun. Anyway there is plenty I can do at home both indoors and out.

The washing machine is beeping at me to tell me it has finished the wash. So I best go hang that lot out before I get too settled here and do nothing for the rest of the night. See you later.

Have a happy day Mooz!! You make 54 look pretty darn good!!! HUGS!!!!

Happy Birthday Miss Mooz!!!
 

JUST DROPPED IN TO WISH MOOZIE A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I HOPE YOUR SPECIAL DAY IS A GRAND ONE AND ALL YOUR WISHES COME TRUE!!! LOVE, MEL
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Hi Ladies,

Just a quick "hello" and to wish Mooz a very Happy, Happy Birthday!

Already got a lot done and it is only 9:30 a.m. Because it so hot here--I used the weed eater to cut my patch of grass this morning at about 6:45 a.m. before the sun hit. Hopefully I didn't disturb my neighbors too much! I also washed two loads of clothes and helped Gene shower. I am now in my play room drinking my water. They told Gene to take baby steps and eventually they would become normal steps. Perhaps we can do the same with our losing weight. You do know ladies with all of our expertise in this field if we can come up with a "perfect" solution to getting our weight where we want it, we could all be millionaires. Just think about it. And even if we don't make all this money, just think how much healthier we will be. For me today I am just going to try and stay occupied with my sewing and when I come home from bowling I have decided to start a crochet project. I know it sounds good, now all I have to do is act it out!

Take care and hopefully everyone is having a "super" Monday. Michelle, I hope you have time to check in with us every so often. I think of you often!

Anita

Just a quick note.

Mooz - Wishing you a HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!


will post more later.

Happy belated Birthday Mooz. Nice your daughter could be there. I am hoping for the whole family since this will be my 60th (in August).'

Nita--my friend in Mexico started getting up really early (like 2am!) because of the heat and the electricity was working then. Maybe in AZ you need something like that (less extreme!) and then a siesta in the hot afternoon.

Oh--my allergist had said I really should have a regular dr with all my health problems. So when I couldn't get one, I asked who he'd recommend--and SHE isn't taking new patients. Good grief! I must keep looking.

Best to all--

Catlover

Knock, knock - pardon the interruption, just popping my head in the door to wish you a very happy but a bit belated birthday MOOZ. Hope it was as delightful as you are. May the whole year ahead be a joyful one for you.

Have a good day ladies.

Just bringing us to the top :wave:

A quick post and then I’m off to the gym, do a bit of shopping and then home to catch up on the chores here. I’m having today off work. It means I won’t get paid for it, but hey it feels so worth it.

Slept in to 6.30 this morning and woke to a delightful dawn and clear sunrise. There is a bit of a breeze blowing which will dry the washing - that’s if I ever get it out there!

Today I intend to take the computer and fax/phone down to the bedroom so I can sand some more in the lounge/ dining room and do the necessary painting as time permits. I want to do some more plastering on the ceiling as well. The lawn needs a mow and there is some more weeding to be done in the garden. I will keep myself busy I think. Oh yes and the two roses which passed into the hereafter immediately after planting have been despatched and I will need to find something to replace these. A nursery up the road is advertising the best selection of roses in town. I may go and check that claim out after gym today.

Speaking of gym and diet/ food related topics, it is the end of the month coming up this weekend. That means measure and weigh in. Oh boy AGAIN!??? Well I guess we shall see what we shall see.

My trip plan is slowly starting to gel. Chris has left me in charge of the planning while she is off visiting grandkids and family. This old hen is busily researching the net and the travel guides. Today I shall have to see if I can find some stuff on Switzerland. This could be interesting, bearing in mind she doesn’t like heights and I’m not big on buses. Training it seems to be the case in Italy. More revelations as they come to hand.

Righto then, at 8.16am I’ll be wasting time if I stay here longer. Have a good one.

I'll be back later to catch up on the doings of the 'movers & losers'

Mooz--my what a sweet poem.

Glad you got some sleep. Does you mom nap during the day? If she does, you should try to nap then too--just like with a new baby. You know you need to protect your health. Glad you made the effort to go out--and good that Orla could help.

Really boring at work--they started offering unpaid time off very early. I did that Friday, but really I can't afford to do it much. However, I used the time to work on some story-marketing material. I took a free course from the company on leadership which wasn't anything really new, but now I've signed up for an introduction to web design. I don't know if a 3-hour class is enough to give any practical skill, but I might understand the process better.

I met with the therapist again today, and worked on getting to bed and avoiding late night snacking. Will see how it will work.

Noticing there are a lot of really severely obese people where I work. This is not to criticize, which I am in no place to, but I wonder if it is because our jobs are so extremely sedentary.

Must not let this happen to me!

Oh, my b-day is August 9/ David's is Aug. 4, and my mom's was August 11. So I would be happy with any time in there.

August 6 we will have a specially big vigil for Hiroshima Day.

Hello Ladies,

Sorry I haven't posted in a few days. Been very busy at work. The heat has been hot here but not as hot as Phonix. Trying to keep my tomato plants from burning up. Had to move things around the patio.

Shad - I'm sure it will be exciting to start planning your next trip. When do you all plan on going?

Mooz - I'm glad you had a relaxing day yesterday. That was very nice of Orla to stay home and watch your mum while you went out. I too like going to comedy clubs.

Hal - How was the weekend with the boys? I guess your back at school.

Cat - when's your birthday?

Thin - glad you could drop by.

Nita - any decisions on moving?

Mitchellez - how are you doing? drop us a line!

Wishing everyone a wonderful tomorrow!

RE: Whew...!
 

Mornin chickies .......... just to let you know that I do take it easy sometimes in fact quite a lot ;) ........................ here is a picture of me doing just that and here is a picture of the conservatory without me ........ it looks better without me I think...................... just look at that big tummy ......... I really must lose it! :o :D

Mooz--how lovely. Thanks for the pictures.

Have been trying to eat more mindfully, and it seems to help.

Mostly just a quick note to kick us back up.

Oh--my birthday is 8/9, for those who asked.

Today, it is so laid back here, one could almost state that it is laid out! One of the business analysts is leaving tomorrow. We are all going to a trattoria or a cafe or somewhere for a 2 hour lunch break. Well some of them are going for a long break. I only get paid for the time I am here so I will be coming back early.

Had a lovely day off yesterday - only problem is that today feels like Monday for some reason. Oh po*p thats not fair!!!
I went to the gym and did my 45 minutes and then felt drained at the end of it - ummm you idiot, you forgot to eat before you went. Duuuummmmmyyyyyy!!! After gym I went and got the meat and fish for the month and then went to the nursery and went stir crazy on the roses - they weren't wrong when they said they had a good selection. Anyway I finally picked up two - Fionas Wish and Aotearoa.
Fiona's Wish is named after the youngest heart transplant in Australia. It's described as having Red upper and creamy Almond underside petals with an deep fruity fragrance. Sounds almost good enough to eat AND some of the buyers price goes toward the Victor Chang Cardiac Centre - a heart/ lung hospital. Mr Chang - brilliant man that he was got shot in a hit and run accident shortly after the charity dinner which starred the late Princess Diana. She was dead not long after that as well. Anyway, Fiona has survived, she was 13 or 14 when she got a transplant and is now in her thirties I think and does volunteer work for the hospital among her other commitments.
Aotearoa is New Zealands gift to the world (according to the label) It is a deep pink (I really wanted a yellow but hey) and has a fragrance described as intense. I can only hope it is not intense in the Rotorua style (sulphur, rotten eggs perfume and very intense) According to the label it should never be planted on its own but in groups and hedges. Sorry but no room for more.
There was one other rose I was very interested in - a bright deep yellow/ gold rose called Golden Girls (it reminded me of us lot) however it had no perfume. That's why it got left behind. I can't see the point of a scentless rose!

Then I went home and had some lunch, watched a bit of daytime tv, packed away the months meat in the freezer and hung out the laundry. Lots of different bits of work called my name but I resisted them all and had an hour in the hammock. Such a lovely day out there.

Mooz - lovely photos. Your garden always looks so pretty. It looked just as pretty when I was there - do you plant the garden or is that DH's problem?

Cat - Quote <August 6 we will have a specially big vigil for Hiroshima Day> Unquote.
I was in Hiroshima some years back on August the 6th. It is an amazing place. The museum dedicated to the Hiroshima explosion is a mindblowing place. Very emotional, very sombre. Talking to the survivors (now old people) is a priviledge and an experience. They are amazing. The Peace Gardens are well worth a visit. I will try to search out some of my photos of Hiroshima and post them on the site for you to see. It is a very moving experience.

Anyway, better go find some work to do. The 'boys' around here are playing practical jokes on one another. I have stated loudly that none of this is my fault ever!!!!! (even if I did put the tape over the phone button - which he hasn't found yet)

Friday and....... loving it.
 

Just got back from the Public Services Club where we all went for lunch to farewell Glen to Brighton, England and the SAP Real Estate sector. Had a very nice lunch (huge plate which I couldn’t fully eat) for 6.50 and a small bottle of white burgundy for a couple of bucks (enough for 1 1/2 glasses). Won’t need dinner tonight.

Which is good in a way because I can then get the laundry done, the sweeping done, the floors washed and the house generally tidied before the couple of tv programs I like to watch on Friday night. That way I can go to the eye man on Saturday, do a gym workout and come home to a clean place on Saturday - Sunday will be spent painting and plastering some more. All good plans as long as the hammock stays out of sight and mind!

Sunday is of course weigh in and measure day. That should be interesting all I don’t think all that much has changed. Yes I have moved inches I think in the hip area. I’m beginning to wonder if these trousers that I bought yesterday should have been a size smaller. They just feel a little loose, particularly in the crotch area and all (since they are stretch) maybe a smaller size would have been better. I have no grumbles with loosing the butt, hips, gut area but it would be nice to match the top bit up. I’m still a 16 up there. If I moved to a smaller size in the hip I will be a 12. That is a bit too much out of proportion. One thing is for sure, I won't fall flat on my nose if I trip up!!!!!

Last night was gym with weights. I did actually manage 5 reps of the hip/ chin/ dip thingy waving the legs around madly 20 times on each. It doesn’t seem so long ago that I couldn’t even support myself on it much less move anything around. I just get so tired at the end of it all, I wish the stamina would build up somewhat. It is a pain to come home, sit down and then wake up just after the end of the program I wanted to see. Tonight is cardio circuit. I’m getting better at that too, but the rowing machine stills really gets me going. I do 5 minutes on whichever is the warm up machine and then 10 on 4 others. That gives me 45 minutes. The rowing machine is the one which really taxes this body. The bike is in second place. The rest I actually quite enjoy. In fact last night after weights, I had ten minutes left of my time at the gym so went onto the treadmill to do a short program there. I must be mad.

Right, need to ring the vet to book Sunday the cat in for a dental check, tartar removal etc. Oh joy!!!! Another trip in the car for the little she-devil.

Re: Tgif
 

Hello Ladies,

Took the day off to get some errans done and tidy up the house for another party that i'm having at my house. Tomorrow's party is for my niece's graduation who lives in Austin. I'm just loaning my brother my house. He's doing the shopping, grilling etc. Either way still have a list of chores to do. Yesterday evening had a little scare with Blackie. I noticed he wasn't really walking around to much, when I went to pet him he somewhat backed his head away. We'll he let me pet him and I started to check him over. Noticed he was getting tense when I got to his mid back. (Remember he had surgery two years ago, problem with his disc) Anyway this morning he was back to his usual self running around, playing, but I still took him into the vet. The vet did noticed he was more tense and a little twitchy when he got to a certain point. Doc gave me a prescription and some other pills for him. I have got to keep him from jumping on the bed. I guess i'm going to have to lock him up in his kennel house for the night. I don't want to have to go through another surgery. (pocketbook can't afford it).

Hal - it's hot here. Yesterday it was a little cooler, maybe 85 but today back up in the 90's. I'm so glad your nephews got to visit you.

Shad - can't wait to hear what she devil does this time. I too need to get back to the gym. I have a membership but just never seem to find the time.

Mooz - oh, what a beautiful garden. Your so lucky to have a hubby who enjoys gardening. I love your sun room too.

Hoping everyone is having a great day.

Hi Ladies,

WEll it is still way too hot in Phoenix--you can hardly stand to go from your car into the store. However, I am managing to get my bowling in. I, too, need to get back to the gym. My insurance company pays for my membership and I just need to get in the groove.

We are still looking into moving back with family, however, there are a lot of financial things to look at, especially the fact we would both lose our good health insurance. Gene is doing a lot better and hopefully he will be strong enough to walk with a cane and not have to use the walker all the time.

Shad -- I agree with HalGal, you sure have a lot of energy and put it to good use! Perhaps your energy will rub off on the rest of us ladies. I know we all have good intentions but somehow other things get in the way.

Well, my dinner is almost finished so I will close for now. Wishing everyone a very "happy" weekend!

Anita

Went to the eyeman today. He was pleased with the way the eyes have improved since a couple of weeks ago. I can now carry on wearing contacts. So I have ordered a 3 month supply and also a new pair of glasses. The cost may prove prohibitive later on but for now I am happy. Because I don't carry medical insurance I have to pay full price. If I had insurance I would be paying 10 dollars less each time (40 dollars a year). However the insurance would cost me around $500 per year so I think I am still winning. Such a gambler I am with my health.

So I wandered around the shopping centre. Couldn't find anything to spend my money on. Came home via a furniture shop and purchased a chest of drawers for the DS2 - it's his birthday, Christmas, next Christmas and birthday present all rolled into one. I like it. Whether he will or not remains to be seen.

Two of my orchids are in flower. Here you go - There's Chocolate drop x Red Fire and Lemon Tree x Golden Magic.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...colateDrop.jpg http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...-LemonTree.jpg

The Chocolate Drop one is brilliant as a full size photo even if I do say so myself. If any of you want it for your wallpaper let me know, I'll mail it on or maybe put it onto webshots for you to download.

Thank you for your kind comments on my energy levels. Sometimes they are really high and sometimes like now, they seem to be quite low and I feel constantly tired. I do gym because I know it is good for me to keep the joints moving and the muscles alive etc. Most of the time I quite enjoy it while I am there and work up a good sweat which shows that I am working well. I don't do any particular exercises for particular areas HalGal, I do the sessions that my trainer (aka Jason the torturer) sorted out for me. He tends to push me harder and harder to make me achieve. His theory is that the long muscles (thighs, upper arms, calf, abdomen and stomach) have to be strong to make the metabolism speed up which burns calories faster. He maintains that the more you move the better you get. So I have a series of machines I use to build those muscles - I do that 3 times a week, and a set of cardio circuit - rower, bike, treadmill, eliptical and stepper that I do twice a week. I also go to a Body Balance class one day a week (generally after a muscle workout) mainly because I enjoy it but also because it gives me a good workout without too much sweat. It's a mixture of Tai Chi, Pilates and Yoga, last around an hour and leaves me feeling good.

Time to get off here and go watch The Bill - my Saturday night goof off into TV land.

RE: Beautiful Saturday Summer Morning...!!!!
 

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Good Saturday Morning Movers and Losers...!!!

What an absolutely stunning, beautiful summer morning. I hope each of you have the same weather, it is incredible. Our temps will be in the upper 80's today and humidity in the low 20% which is heaven on earth - in my humble opinion!

I went to see the new movie release "Must Love Dogs" for the late show last evening. It was a good movie, but to be honest, not as good as I thought it would be. I would say go see it, but parts of it were a real stretch for me, but hey - it was a movie and that is what they do.

A teacher friend lost his Mother a week ago Tuesday. He telephoned about 45 minutes before the movie was going to start. I spoke with him right up until I had to go inside for the movie. I don't think he realized I had said I was on my way out. Anyway, he was the youngest of 3 sons, and for the 8 years he has been teaching she has telephoned him in the AM to say good morning and make sure he is on his way. I know it took a lot for him to tell me that, and my heart goes out to him. I want to do something extra nice for him, and am still thinking, thinking, thinking... I know I'll see him toward the end of the week when he attends a training at our school. He lives in the next town about 20 miles.

I have some type of beetle bugs that are attacking/eating one of my 3 canna plants? So, I need to quickly find some type of product to protect it. They are eating the large leaves, and aggressively.

Here is an interesting recipe for 2 of my favorites, asparagus and avocadoes.

Grilled Asparagus Spears with Guacamole

What You'll Need
grilled asparagus:
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
_ (one half) teaspoon sea salt
juice of 1 lemon
20 asparagus spears

guacamole:
3 ripe avocados, halved, seeded
_ (one half) fresh jalapeno, finely minced
1 clove fresh garlic, finely minced
_ (one quarter) red onion, finely diced
1/3 (one third) cup extra virgin olive oil
sea salt
juice of one half lemon
1 small vine ripened tomato, diced
2 sprigs fresh cilantro, finely minced

Instructions

Fire up the grill about 10 minutes before you are ready to cook. Medium heat will serve best for this dish. I use my George Foreman!

Mix together the oil, salt and lemon juice, whisking to emulsify. Using your fingers, rub each asparagus spear with the mixture, coating them very well. Lay the asparagus on the wire grate and grill, turning occasionally, until browned at the edges and slightly wilted, about 5-6 minutes total.

Make the guacamole by mashing the avocado flesh until smooth. Mix in the balance of ingredients, adjusting the seasoning to your taste. Cover and chill completely.

To serve, place the guacamole in a bowl in the center of a serving platter with the grilled asparagus spears around the rim. Serve immediately. .

Makes 4-6 servings.

You certainly could serve tortilla chips and salsa with this, and just remember you are including a veggie in a new way. The new dietary recommendations say more veggies are a good thing.

I hope everyone has a GREAT weekend...!

Lets get the news (good/ bad/ indifferent) out of the way first.

Weight - 73/ 73 - Same
Upper Chest - 37.5/ 37 - down .5inch
Bust - 41.5/ 40 - down 1.5inch
Lower Chest 34.25/ 34.25 - same
Waist - 33/ 32 - down 1.inch
Upper Hip - 38.5/ 38 - down .5 inch
Lower Hip - 39.25/ 39 - down .25 inch
Top of arm - 12.5/ 12.25 - down .25 inch
Top of leg - 21.5/ 21 - down .5 inch.

There it is out. Happy? well not really. I really thought I had done better this month. Although most of it is down so I should not really complain. Sometimes it just seems that I do a lot of hard work for so little results. Still I know I haven't been good on the water. I know I have skipped a meal or two that I really should have had and I know that I had a bit of a chocolate binge there in the middle somewhere. At one stage the weight was back at 71.5 and is now at 73. Can't blame it all on water!

I don't normally eat chocolate - in fact I really don't like it that much, however once in a while I will go on a chocolate binge where I really must have chocolate. Have no idea why or what triggers it off. Sometimes I can go for years without it, sometimes I just have to eat it.

It is still too dewy out there to go wake up the neighbours with the lawnmower so I will take the spade and go dig over the front garden bed by the fence. That is right after breakfast and trip to the shop to get the paper. I was going to go to the markets up at Forest Lake today, but I feel energetic enough to do some gardening. The markets can wait for another Sunday.

Anyway - seize the day before it gets too hot and sunny. Let's go.

Shad--you did better than I--no change at all the last 3 weeks. Today I started a different yoga approach aimed specifically at weight loss. And took dog for a long walk. Still, there is always that feeling that I planned to do so much more.

Also my printer is out of black ink. I asked DH--neither of us feels up to changing it--last time I did it broke the printer. So must wait until one of the kids comes over.

Made the decision
It’s taken a while and a bit of soul searching but I have finally decided to carry on and extend my contract at the Ministry of Funny Walks aka OSR.

I had at first decided not to, and up to a few days ago was sticking with that decision. However I’ve been checking out the available work and there isn’t an awful lot of it around and that which is there is not paying the sort of money I’m getting here. So............. here I stay for the next 5 months or so.

Thanks for the comments re the weight for the month. Sometimes it is like pulling teeth trying to get this weight off, but there is simply no way I can give up now, I’ve come too far and been through too much. Besides which who would Madcat have to annoy and be annoyed with if I gave up. I’m trying to work out what to do this month which may shift the final kilos from this butt and gut and tummy. Not that the butt is big, but it is flabby.

Today my DS2’s christmas and birthday present arrived. What !!!! Well he asked for a chest of drawers made of timber not the cheaper veneered MDF/ chipboard and I said I would look for something and check it out with him. However he didn’t go and have a look at my choices - too busy Mum so finally on Saturday I took the plunge, paid for it and had it delivered. He liked it. At least I think he did - maybe it was only an impression that I got. But anyway he has got it now and is putting in orders for Christmas this year. Unbeknowns to him, I have already got part of his Chrissy pressy - the goofy part. Every year I try to get them something that is totally ridiculous - last year he got a singing bottle opener and stubby holder and a few other gimmicky things relating to his footy team. This year I have found a seat pad (no it doesn’t sing) and a dressed teddy bear. I’m sure I will find a couple of other goodies before Christmas strikes as well. Now all I have to do is find something for the older one (whose sense of humour doesn’t run to footy paraphenalia) - maybe crutchless bike knickers or something equally stupid.

So no gym tonight. I’ve been feeling so worn out lately that I am going to cut the gym back to 4 sessions per week for a while and carry on with the walking at lunch time (I can do 4k in my lunch break and the scenery is superb). I may still do a double on Saturday morning - we will see.

And that is about it for today. Clean the bathroom, do the dishes and the ironing and that’s about me for tonight. I'll catch up with your posts tomorrow.

RE: Good Monday Morning - Girlfirends...!!!