A challenge here would be good for us I think - will certainly gee us up going into Winter/ Summer. I'm in the 21 day one but won't be in the next as somewhere in the middle of the next one is my visit to Japan. There is no way that I am going to try to wend my tongue around I can't eat xyz in a foreign language. I'll be in it for Oct 1 as well then. Meantime I'l work on what I am going to do or not do as the case maybe.

I'm home for the morning fasting prior to a sugar test at the pathologists. I go down there at 7.00am this morning. Doc tells me there is an epidemic of type 2 diabetes in Australia and very few miraculous families will miss out on it sometime, somewhere insists on this test every six months (when I go to see him for a repeat prescription) He is out to prove that I am not a modern day miracle. I am out to prove that I am. Hence the fasting today.

Having said that better go and do a few things around the place. This spare time is a blessing too good to pass up.

Oh yes and I put some spring photos of my garden on webshots last night. So go take a peak. It's Spring

I've just barely skimmed today's summary subscription. I'm here! I'm OK.
The cool front arrived with a boom and a flash. I hope it is cool enough in the morning for me to mosey around the neighborhood a bid and get my corpuscles moving.
Will somebody tell me either where to find the "Red" challenge or what it entails? Maybe going back to "confessing" my edible sins will be a help.

Made an appointment to consult with the radiologist Oct 7. (Day after my birthday... Double Nickle. What a treat. HA!) Anyway, I might be starting radiation as early as 10/12 which would put me at the finish line by our Thanksgiving (late November.)

I have hair sprouting on my head again. Some hairs are even more than 1/2 inch long. Bad news, is that I think I might have to re-commence shaving my legs again, too. I was REALLY nice having any hair to shave all summer.

I don't have anything on tomorrow's agenda besides exercise and my surgery follow up. I hope I don't totally waste the day... but get some weeding done (the rain will have loosened the @#$%^ing roots, I hope) and maybe some knitting and drawing and writing. Or balancing my check book. Not seeing clients has made the end of THIS month a real challenge. Grrrr. Funny how that works.

I woke up "working" and couldn't get back to sleep so rather than toss and turn and wake up Slim, I came out to the computer room to catch up and get caught up. Evidently we had a power outage sometime in the night because all of the clocks are flashing and the TV cable box wants to be reset. That might have been what woke me up.

The race season started and the first race of the year was on the beach. I was first in my age group. I beat hundreds of old ladies who didn't show up and my First Place plaque doesn't even include the words And Only on it! :rofl:

Slim and I are taking a four-week course called Financial Strategies. We had our first class last week. So far I've learned that Slim is a financial genius. But we all knew that. The class is at Cocoa Beach, about 30 miles north of us. We were going to ride the motorcycle because it's such a beautiful ride home in the moonlight, but we're supposed to get storms again tonight. Maybe next week.

We had a great ride last weekend and ended up at a fun biker bar. Another round of unsweetened iced tea for our table, barkeep! (In the southern USA, you have the choice of sweetened or unsweetened iced tea. And when they say sweetened, they are not kidding.) We're such party animals! We got caught in a rain squall, but this time had our rain gear with us. I've learned that raindrops really sting at 55 miles per hour. Tomorrow is a day off for me and we have another ride planned. This time we are going south. Slim had a leather scabbard custom made for my cane for the bike and we're going to go pick that up and then we're going to ride some more. I'm on new medicine that is wonderfully taking care of the pain. On the old medicine I could ride for only a half hour or so max. Last week we were gone for three hours after running the 5K race in the morning and I was still okay. :dance: I'm getting extra wobbly - not fun - and my running time is getting slower. Very annoying. My running time on Tuesday was 4 minutes slower than three weeks ago.

In a couple of weeks we are hosting some of Slim's internet friends at a gathering at our house. The latest count I think is up to 30 or so. They are mostly from Florida and Georgia. They've been internet buddies for several years - I know I met one lady from Atlanta. She's going to stay at our house. I don't know if I know any of the rest of them. It will be a lot of fun. It's his "Where's George" group. They track US dollar bills. You can go to wheresgeorge.com to see what they do if you like. I think they are weird, but aren't we all?

If I go wake Slim up, I'll bet I can get an invitation to go out to breakfast and then a ride to work on the motorcycle. :dancer:

Good morning ladies,

Interesting posts this morning. The original challenge thread is called the 21 Day Challenge - Challenge to Victory and it's within this group on the Support Groups section. There are some twists which I won't go into but the jist of it is to choose something challenging (but not so challenging that you won't stick with it) for 21 days straight. If you blow a day, you reset your counter back to day 1 again. Don't try to tackle too many things at once also - you want to be motivated, and it has to be reasonably do-able. You can pick any activity that you'd like to improve upon - drink more water, eat 3 servings of veggies, take a walk, or even things like clean your dishes before going to bed or spend 15 minutes a day tidying up. Your challenge, your choice. Then each day you report on whether you've met your challenge for the day.

I am starting today because I have made too many empty promises in the past. My challenge is to drink at least 3 bottles of water a day and to spend at least 15 minutes a day getting into exercise mode again - walking or crunches. I am admittedly starting slow but my point is to develop good habits again.

As a side benefit yesterday I started taking my vitamins again and I am renewing my habit of stretching in the morning. Work out the kinks and get some oxygen in the muscles and blood!

I think most all of us are getting a kiss of cooler weather these next 2 days. Was 86 yesterday and a high of 70 today. I will be taking a walk at lunchtime.

Enjoy your day...

Counting The Days.......
 

PAINTER~ WHAT LENGTHS WE HAVE TO GO TO FOR AVOIDING LEG SHAVING!!! SORRY ABOUT THE LEGS BUT GLAD THE HEAD IS HAVING SOME COVERAGE FOR THE WINTER. JUST IN TIME. I AM DETERMINED TO WATERCOLOR THIS WINTER. I NEED TO DEVISE AN EASEL. EVERY TIME I LOOK AT THE "STUFF" I THINK OF YOU!! :D

TIG~ GOOD NEWS ABOUT THE RACE! I AM SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THE WEAKNESS. I HAVE THE SAME STORY HERE. HOPE YOU GOT THE BREAKFAST AND THE RIDE!! YOU SHOULD TAKE A PIC OF THE MEAN MACHINE WITH SCABBARD AND POST IT!!!:scooter:

SHAD~ GOOD LUCK WITH THE TEST...GUESS IT'S OVER BY NOW!! LOL TYPE 2 IS ON THE RISE EVERYWHERE AND THE DR TOLD ME TO GET TESTED ONCE A YEAR NOW. GOTTA BE ALL THE SUGARS ON THE MARKET!!! HE SEEMS TO THINK IT WILL AFFECT JEN'S GENERATION LIKE A BOMB. HOPE HE'S WRONG BUT I COULD SEE HIS REASONING. WHO IS WATERING THE GARDEN WHEN YOU GO? NEED A HOUSE SITTER? HAVE HOSE WILL TRAVEL:MOPED:

HAPPY~ SO GLAD WE ARE DOING THIS. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I PICK STUFF I WILL ACTUALLY DO...YOURS ARE ALMOST THE SAME AS WHAT I HAVE BEEN THINKING OF. WATER AND MOVING!!! GETTING VERY LAZY OVER HERE. LOVELY TEMPS ALMOST EVERYWHERE. THE WIND IS PICKING UP ALL NIGHT AND TODAY. THE REMNANTS OF RITA ARE HERE. SUN IS STILL OUT THOUGH!:flow2:

CEEJAY~ YOUNG IS GOOD! :cb: :dance: :encore:
LOOK AT DEMI MORE? SUSAN SARANDON? ELIZABETH TAYLOR? :rofl:

I FINALLY FACED FACTS AND CALLED THE WHEELCHAIR PEOPLE AGAIN. ANOTHER WOMAN IS HELPING ME GET SOME THIGH RESTS SO I CAN PULL MYSELF INTO IT. ONE CHAIR IS FINE BUT THE NEW ONE LACKS "SIDES" LIKE THE OLD ONE DID. CAME BACK FROM THE BBQ AND COULDN'T GET OFF THE TOILET AND BACK INTO THE CHAIR. I DID IT THE DAY BEFORE. THINGS CHANGE SO QUICKLY AROUND HERE! :wizard: WHEN THEY COME, THEN I CAN SEND THIS CHAIR IN FOR MINOR REPAIRS AND DECIDE WHAT TO DO WITH THE TOILET ITSELF. SOME SEATS ARE WAY TO HIGH FOR MY SHORT LEGS :tantrum:
I BETTER GET MOVING BEFORE THE STORM COMETH IF I WANT TO GET OUT FOR A SPIN!
HAPPY THURSDAY :balloons:

A blustery mornin' to ya! It is veeeery windy, 9C,48F, it was pouring rain....I love this weather. I feel so invigorated.
Lots of empowering stuff went on yesterday.1) I had a good day in general. 2) I made my fav cauliflower soup and it is beach friendly!!!!! It is darned good.I will post it.
3)I ran errands along the way to the city, did Grandma's hair, she commented about me not going to Thanksgiving but seemed okay with it, She said the odd thing that told of conversations about me and hubby amongst them.4)It reinforced my decisions positively.
5)I stopped at an old friends to pick up some fav books I had leant her and was missing. I did another haircut and then 6) went to a new friends for tea. I got home around midnight.
I ate 1/2 a multigrain bagel with ff cream cheese. 7)The rest of the day I did carb free without a hitch.8) Got lots of veggies in!! 9)Had a great sleep. 10) DS was happy and agreeable this morning.11)I am having coffee with you ladies! 12) I just have the 4 preschoolers today and they will all nap this aft and I will have 2 hours to myself.13)
i am going to take a bath in a few minutes. 14) I sent the parent guide to the school board printer yesterday!!! It's like giving birth. I have been working on it since last Feb. It will be celebrated when complete. 15) I am feeling clear headed and full of possibilities for the future!!!

Weeheee!!!

Challenge for me is to keep calories at 1600 per day and to do 30 to 45 minutes of daily aerobics, in general a healthy living strategy. I shall start tomorrow because after working 6 - 12 hour days I need a rest. I slept until 9 a.m. this morning. (I'll have a good pay check in the morning.) My goal is to lower cholesterol and fasting blood sugar levels by next appointed dr.s visit in 6 months.

Painter woman-- I was 55 in August--hope you dr visit in october goes well.

Shad--Blood sugar testing. I suppose that one of my challenges should be to watch the carb and sugar intake. Dr. fussed at me because my fbs level was near the high end of the scale. yikes.

Holly--you sound rested and in control this morning.

Happy--I love the fall. I'm going to get out later in the day and get in some exercise in the yard and some fresh air. I'm wanting what I call "fall foods" also. May make some home soup and corn muffins tonight.

Tig-- A Financial Strategies course would not hurt anyone. Have fun with the "internet group" .

I need to run some errands but may weight until tomorrow-pay day. I ordered a pair of shoes online. They should be comoing in the mail today or tomorrow.

Speaking of financial strategies, I paid off 2 credit cards this morning. I got upset with CapitolOne this morning so I paid that one and my Discover card in full. I'm going to close out CapitolOne next month when I get that statement. I'm making sure all
payments have been posted first.

Yeah g'day,

I think we should post a list of all the challenge goals and ideals. It will then be easier to go back to if we want to see what we actually set out to achieve.

Do you want to have the pause day as they do in Red's 21 day challenge. Basically it seems to go like this.

Choose your goal/s for the 21 days. Report it in every day. If you stuff up, you go back to day one and start again. If you wish you can take one pause day (better to keep this for later in the challenge when you don't want to start again) This doesn't mean that the pause day is counted in the challenge. If you are on Day 15 and take a pause day, then the next day of the challenge is Day 16. .
Hope that makes sense.

My goals will be as in Red's thread:
Portion Control
Exercise 5 days a week
Drink the water
Lo Carb.

Weigh in and measure this morning. General trend seems to be down, some of that will have to do with the fasting yesterday for that sugar test. I'll take it, don't care how it comes. I'll post the results tonight when I get home.

Friday, last day of the month. I'm hoping to leave early tonight to go and pick up my Japanese Yen (120,000 - sounds like I am taking a fortune to spend doesn't it), but I may have to make that next week. We will see. I'll pick up the tickets tomorrow after gym. That always make me feel like the day will eventually come. Large hole will appear in bank balance tho' - arghh well it's my medical fund really that will decrease. This is preventative medicine so I can justify the expense. :rofl: :lol3: :rofl: :lol3: :rofl: :lol3: :rofl: :lol3: :rofl: :lol3: :rofl: :lol3: :rofl: :lol3: The things we do to justify spending money!!! 27 days to go.

Ceejay - glad to hear that you have paid off the credit cards. It makes life so much easier if you don't have those and the incredible amount of interest that they charge hanging around and ruining the budget.

Holly - good to hear you sounding upbeat (or should that be offbeat??) Dear old grannie. Isn't some of these family occasions a bit hard on her at 95? Mind you I should hope to be as good if I ever get there.

Mel - DS2 is going to house sit the house, garden and cat! Should have an interesting cause and effect. They are not in love with each other, but she tolerates him because he feeds her. He tolerates her because he has to! It's an interesting stand off. She should win but don't put your money on it. Sorry to hear of the problems coming up with the loo and the chair. We may have to invent a gadget to get you off the loo! Can it get much harder? Oh and thanks for Ralphies message. It's a good one.

Happy - starting slow is good. It reduces the risks of strains, sprains and splints to mention just a few nasties. What size water bottles are we talking here?? I'll start mine today with you. Make a note - Friday 30th September, well that's what it is here anyway.

Tig - well done on winning the race. I don't care if you were the 'only'. You took part, you won. You would have won in my eyes anyway even if you weren't the only one. So please to see the Financial Strategies coming into play. When you are done, send Slim over with the wizardy to turn me into a millionaire - come too. Plenty of places to run around here. The city has just put in a floating walkway/ cycleway. You can now ride/ run for miles and miles from the far western suburbs of the city to the far eastern suburbs of the city on both sides of the river and it is a beautiful way to exercise the day. If I lived in town or nearer to town I would do it myself - as it is I only get to walk a few k's of the facility in my lunch break. Life sounds so interesting with that bike. I'm so glad you are both getting pleasure out of it. And great news on the medicine working as well. Iced tea?!? :crazy: sweetened or unsweetened I think I will leave it thanks.

Painter - Radiology - does that stop the hairs on your legs growing again? Always something to bug us. State your aims on this thread challenge. Easier than finding the other and sorting out who is who. Read Happy's post and/ or mine to see what you have to do. Good luck my friend. Birthday coming up?!!! Oh good, we like to celebrate with cyber cake on our cyber terrace, in our cyber home - where do you want to be for your birthday - Bavaria or the summer house on Manihi????

Teel ????/ Linus????/ Meadow???? :wave: :wave: :wave: where are you??? Don't make me come over there and fetch you back (unless of course there is a man on the scene? :love: :love: )

There you go, told you I would be back. You lot have obviously been snoring off while I've been slaving away.

Measurements are as follows:
Weight 73 71.5 down 1.5k or 3lbs more or less
Upper Chest 36 36 same
Bust 40 40.5 Up 1/2 inch
Lower Chest 34 33 Down 1 inch
Waist 33 32 Down 1 inch
Upper Hip 38.25 38 Down 1/4 inch
Lower Hip 38.75 38.5 Down 1/4 inch
Top of Arm 12.25 12 Down 1/4 inch
Top of Leg 21.25 21 Down 1/4 inch

I'm really pleased to see the lower chest and waist measurement reducing. I've been putting a lot of effort into abs and crunches. Still not enough and those bl**dy boobs are GROWING!!! :faint:


So that's it for another month. Of course next month will be early before I go to Chris' place.

Good morning ladies,

Day 1 of my challenge completed. Water good, exercise good. Did do a little bit more than the minimum committment because it was in my head that I was in a challenge - so a good thing.

Half my day at work will be meetings today. When I get home I MUST work on the neighborhood newsletter. :kickcan: Ok, just apply yourself and get it done and over with already. It's gloriously cool here. I'd love to dig the bike out over the weekend.

Shad, good to see you are getting some positive results in the measurements, I know you've been working so hard and it's been so frustrating. How long will you be visiting Chris and when do you leave?

CeeJay your mention of soup and cornbread sounds very good to me too. Will have to dig out my soup cookbooks this weekend. I love cornbread too. Good for you on paying off the credit cards. Sometimes when you threaten to cancel they lower the rates substantially. We got rid of all but 2 cards and pay them off each month. Best thing we could have ever done.

Holly sounds like you're busy as ever. Hope you get out in the garden this weekend.

Tig, it's not always about finishing first, sometimes it's about just finishing the race. I admire your determination. Good riding this weekend.

Mel, I hope they get your chair working for you properly. I had to laugh at your comment about Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland the other day. Does anyone besides us and Tig know what that meant? :lol: I can just picture the enthusiam!

PW - funny but I never considered an up side of chemo as to not shaving the legs :rofl: Hope you get a bit of an energy jolt that lets you get out and about. Take a walk and stock up those cabinets!

My allergies are in full bloom here - I'm allergic to mold so the fall is worse for me. Drippy cough and tickly throat. Makes me crazy. And I can't get my favorite over the counter allergy medicine anymore since punks have cooked it up into some sort of substitute drug concoction and the chemists don't carry it anymore. I hate to go to the doctor but might have to if this gets much worse. Ugh.

Hellos to the rest of the lot, Teel and Meadow where are you? Linus we are thinking about you even if you are too busy to check in. Nae is probably outside on her porch enjoying the view and fresh air...

Good Morning Everyone!
 

Hi Everyone, I see we are all getting together to do a challenge.... good one.... ok I am in for water and vitamins. That will be a good start for me to get completed for 21 days.....
I had a nice dinner last week for my friend Bill and yesterday I did a lunch for the lady who altered my dress for the wedding. You know once you have the house fairly cleaned up is the time to have company over and take advantage of clean floors, right!!!
The funniest sight is Toby deciding to bark and charge at the twin mule deer....they were having a go at Toby and he had to turn and run for the house a couple of times.... it was so cute but he could be in harms way if they ever cornered him....
I did a big clean up on the turtle tank and Sparky and Squirt are so happy, I put in a few more rocks that they can dig out sleeping chambers for themselves if they want.
Nice to see new faces here and everyone posting. Hope all is well around the world.
BLessings,
Nae

HI chicks!!

My challenge is to eat mindfully. roughly follow south beach, cause it makes sense and what i was doing was not workin for me.

Shad~ it is relaxing at my folks. They all sit around and do crosswords puzzles and talk about how great they are. Grandma does her puzzle and tunes them out. She always says to me, good lord why do you listen to them and laughs. They wait on her hand and foot. LOL!
hope you weekend is off to a good start.

I will aim for more personals this aft. It is nice to read everyones posts in the morning.

I have been spending time revisiting my eating habits and have been reading up on and doing a modified South beach diet this weeks. I have been living off of sandwiches,cheese and crackers and ice cream for a month and gained 5 lbs.
I have dropped my starchy carbs enormously.
On fitday the last 2 days my numbers have been. 40% fat, 30 carbs, 30 protein. Obviously i need to drop the fats.
A week ago I was at 75% carbs,20 fats,5 protein. LOL!
Every day I seem to have eaten 1 slip up. like yesterday i had cheese and crackers before bed. The old me would of eaten the whole box of crackers and gone for more. I had a handful. So that is a small NSV.
I would say the “diet” has not given me more energy physically( I didn’t lack any) but I feel more clear headed, which is nice. So my goal starting today is to really do phase 1. I am half detoxed as I type.
Our fair is this weekend. Fair food is a non issue. It will be FUN. Both kids will be MUTTON BUSTING.Which is sheep riding just like bull riding. DS came in 2nd out of 22 last year.
Just 2 kids and DD today. We are going to the Early Years group.
I may go back to the thrift shop. I picked up 2 small lamps yesterday. Many of our rooms dont have overhead lighting. It gets gloomy in the winter months. One was a vintage sconce. I LOVE it.Only $2.00. woohoo.
The Avon sales meeting was a bummer in a way. I won an award but dont like the gift, bah. I just started in May but there are women selling $2-3000 but have been doing it 25 years plus. I spose I will get there.
I am doing well. My brain has great ideas and vision. I dont have the time to impliment it. Next Sept is a whole different story. I will have DD and 3 other in school fulltime and 2 other in parttime. Can you say ding dong!!

Hubby was sweet and cuddly last night. Mostly he is just obnoxious LOL!

It is 6C,42F.Nice.Going up to 17C,64F. Perfect!

Off to putter in the kitchen.

Have a glorious day!!!

Shad congratulatins on the inches lost. That's where I get the most pleasure from my results.

I'm up in pounds this week. It's probably due to the fact that I grabbed food last week while working those extra days. It will come back off. I will be officially starting the 21 days today. Will make it easier for me to track the days. I'll be putting the results at the bottom of my post. I will most diffinately be watching the carb and sugar intake. I checked my fasting bls this morning and it was at the high end of the of the range limit.

I slept in again this morning. I knew the pay check was suppose to arrive early this morning (it usually gets here about 7.30 a.m.) but I just didn't want to get out of bed. I called Tim, my boss, about 9 and he sent Frank back out to the house just a few minutes after that. Now to go do errands. I wanted to get the living room cleaned first. I'm just not in the mood.

It's so nice outside this morning and smells so fresh. There was a mockingbird singing. We don't have as many birds as we did this summer. Think they are heading south.

Speaking of the south. My cousin's sil has been with the guards in Lousiana helping with the clean up of the hurricanes. I wish I knew how to transfer this picture from my email to here. They caught a crocodile that weighed over 4,000 pounds and over 80 years old, I've forgotten how long he was. They caught him as he swam down one of the streets in New Orleans. The army said that he was to old to hunt animals and that people were an easy target.

Every one have a good day.

Hi :wave:
My computer went for a dive and I have been internetless for over a week :( I have been keeping at the exercise. I find if I come home from dropping the kids off at school, put on my workout gear and just do it, it gets done ;) All part of my master plan to be on my own side for a change instead of being the voice of ridicule and depression. Who is that voice connected to anyway? Wish she would pack her pounds and get lost :lol3: I have to re-set up my computer. I lost all my AB picture files :cry: It is so funny using an empty computer again. It was my video driver which was the biggest headache but they reloaded windows 98 just to make sure it wasn't something else because they had such a bugger of a time finding a compatible driver for this old IBM of mine. Five years old in computer years is ancient! I will catch up reading and get back to good here soon :D

Okay, caught up some.

OMG! PainterWoman!! how grand that you have joined us:D Big hug for the weary chemo blues, I hope you are keeping some balance. I find having a smoothie in the morning both relaxes and peps me up. Be a good way for you to get some yogurt and fruit in. I usually put in a hand full of ice cubes in the blender, a cup of milk, 1/2 cup of yogurt(usually peach) and a small banana and whir it around. I have thought about getting some of that green stuff from the health food store to add but facing green goop in the morning would put me over the edge :b

Just an update. I thought today was October 1, therefore my challenge will not start until tomorrow. When doing errands, I stopped and bought a bbq salad. They don't put any bbq sauce on it unless requested. I measured the meat when I got home. Think I 've been short changing myself on that end. It was 4.5 ounces. I'm off to do some more errands.

Oh and since my blood sugar level has been a little on the high side I'm going to go with Holly and do my version of the South Beach/ 4 to 6 ounces of meat, 1 fat, 1 starch, 4 oz veggie, 1 small fruit.

Day 1 done and dusted.... onto day 2
 

Morning all,
Just had a call from Teel to say that she is going away for a couple of days. She is not well with these chest pains and has had a ride to the A & E department of the local hospital in the ambulance. Not a cardiac tho'. She is severly depressed, not sleeping, not eating well, not doing much at all. Anyway some folk from church have invited her and holly the hound to stay with them for a few days. I wish there was a magic wand for all the ailments inflicting this special group of friends right now. :grouphug: :grouphug:

Meadow - good to see you back. Nice to know it was a computer problem and not us that was causing the problem. Good on you for doing the exercise. It just takes a few things to jell into place and then you're away with the new you. I hope you had some backup files of the photos and things that you lost???????????

Ceejay - wow crocodile huh. One just doesn't think of those sorts of critturs being displaced in storms and hurricanes. Don't know why, but it never crossed my mind about the predators being on the hunt as well. What did they do with the croc?? If you want to post the pic, save the attachment to a file on your computer and then upload it using the advanced function and manage attachments. You may have to resize if the photo is large.

Holly - good on you for containing the carbs and starting afresh. The mutton busting sounds good so long as the sheep are treated properly that is. You will probably have a hyped up little boy after his ride. Have you thought about food allergies maybe causing some of this behaviour. Tomato sauce was a great one for DS1 to become horribly hyper on and my nephew couldn't take any form of food colouring at all before he became the kid from all ****.

Rose - nice to have you back and posting the news from the wilderness. I love to hear of the deer stories and the wildlife issues. Good on you for joining the challenge.

Happy - I go to Japan on 27th October - just 26 days away now. I'm back here on the morning of the 9th October - the overnight flight gets in around 4.00 am to Cairns and 7.00am to Brisbane. I will probably sleep during the morning and get my brain back together in the afternoon. I'm looking forward to it now to see how Chris is getting on. There's a bit of depression under the cheerfulness sometimes and she doesn't feel like she is making good progress. I didn't say that the internet article mentions it can take 2 - 3 years to stabilise patients with the syndrome.
Congrats on day 1 down. Me also.

Oh yes and Teel says that CJ loves Mel's tiger being rubbed against his cheek. Good choice Mel.

Gotta go, half an hour till gym time and body balance class. See ya.

I LOVE THE IDEAS OF HAVING 2 CJ'S!!! BIG CJ AND LITTLE CJ!
IT NHAS BEEN A BALL BUSTING DAY....IF I HAD ANY THEY GOT BUSTED. SO I BUSTED BACK AND WHILE JOHN IS ON A CRUIES, MEL IS TAKING OVER THE MAINTENANCE DEPT AT REQUEST FROM AUTHORITY. GO MEL GO! CRACK THAT WHIP. I WILL ALSO HAVE THEM INSTALL A NEW STOVE IN MY APARTMENT AND FIX MY SHELVES. BEEN PROMISED STUFF FOR A LONG TIME AND NOW I WILL GET IT DONE.
EVERYONE BUT TEEL SOUNDS OK. I AM VERY TIRED SO WILL SAY A COLLECTIVE HELLO AND GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE CHALLENGERS! TOMORROW IS DAY #1 FOR ME.
MY GOALS ARE:
DRINK MY WATER
TAKE MEDS EVERY DAY!!
DO THE EXERCISES M,W,F
BREATHING EXERCISES M,T,W,T,F
ART. TEARS FOR THE EYES S,M,T,W,T,F,S
LOWFAT, LOW SALT, LOW CARB MEALS 4-5 X'S @ DAY
KEEP ALL THIS IN THE DAMN JOURNAL THAT SITS HERE LOOKING CUTE!
CAN YOU TELL IT'S BEEN A TOUGH DAY? BUT IT GETS MY BLOOD FLOWING:rofl: ONE WOMAN IS THRILLED I AM COMING BACK FOR A WEEK AND THE GUYS ARE ALL JUMPING FOR JOY. 2 OF THEM IM HAD TO PUSH OUT THE DOOR AT 6PM TONITE!
SECRETLY I AM GLAD CAUSE I LOVE THE POWER AND THE ATTENTION AND THE BLDG ALWAYS LOOKS BETTER WHEN I AM IN CHARGE. ROFL
WILL TALK TO YOU TOMORROW. I NEED MY BRITISH SITCOMS AND SOME REST. LOVE TO YOU ALL!

Whhhhhhaaaaaaaatt is that on your weight tracker. Oh lord not Christmas already????

OK. New month. New goals.
1.Record food eaten. (I hope this will help me get back on Am. Diabetic Plan that my nutritionist recommended-- but to demand that just now would be too much and I'm sure I'd fail..<I get exchanges: 5 meat, 4 vegs, 3 fruits, 3 breads, 3 dairy, and 3 fats I think-- each exchange is approx 60 cal. worth... so it's around 1400>.... but there's no reason I can't start a new food journal) I'm NOT gonna tell y'all what I ate!! :cookie: :cookie: :cookie: :cookie: :cookie: :cookie: :cookie: But I will tell you if I wrote it down!
2. 20 min walk or stationery bike in the morning before 10.
3. 8 x 8 0z water (not soda, tea, or coffee but WATER!!)

You'll all be glad to know that since I was actually giving a presentation this afternoon, I finally shaved my legs. :spin: ;)

Went to Black Eyed Pea for dinner.... didn't do too badly.... tilapia, broc/rice/cheese casserole (well, yeah, I ate the whole serving!!) mashed sweet potatoe (half.) Then to Borders... had brewed coffee rather than a mocha latte... have only had water since.

The other good news is that my friend with melanoma is going to get to have Novalis/radiation INSTEAD of surgery on 3 new tumors. Whoo hoo!! Her surgeon didn't think the radiologist would be able to do it, but Dr. Ed says he can. My friend says that the rest of her life will be a big search and destroy mission because so far, they don't know how to "get rid" of melanoma. Usually with melanoma that's as advanced as her they only give the person 12 months... She's going on 3 years... looks great and is sweet but feisty.

Sorry to hear about Teel. I corresponded with her quite a bit when I first found 3fc.

Y'all enjoy the weekend, y'hear? (Tomorrow is Llama days at the State Fair of Texas, but I think DH want's to do some wood working... so I'll see if I can catch up on snail mail, laundry and some knitting. )

84 Days

16 Hours

46 Minutes ...til Chrismas!!!

I am surprised Mell isn't singing deck the halls!!!
I am thinking of putting an Avon booth in the town Market. The are moving it inside Ye Olde Town Hall for the winter.
It is so nice to read news from Nae, Meadow, PW, CJ,Shad, Mel....
HUGs and healing energy for Teel.

I got tired yesterday and didn't do much in the aft. DD went to a Bday party and I took DS to a friends and then called DH and told him to stay in the city! A couple of hours to myself. I took DD to gymnastics and did a mad dash for some lf cheese and raw almonds.

I have an ahem, ahem cough. Last year at the fair I was fevered and shaking. Gotta love 3 weeks after back to school. Everyone gets snotty. Germ sharing angels!!

Having a relaxing Sat morning. I picked up ceiling fixtures for the living room for $5 for 2 at the thrift shop. The old ones were crumbling, literally. 20 year old fake metal and glass, cheap, and ugly.These are old fashioned countryish, almost tacky but I love them, painted glass.
Going to the fair at noonish. DS has hockey practise from 6-8. I might go for a walk and deliver Avon books with DD.
I am going to make and can salsa tomorrow after church.

hugs!!!!

SHAD...IN MY DEFENCE...I WENT TO GET A AUTUMN TRACKER AND THEY DON'T HAVE ANY SO THIS ONE WAS THE LEAST XMASSY ONE I COULD FIND! ROFLMAO (WHISPERING....HO HO HO) I WAS WONDERING HOW LONG IT WOULD TAKE ANYONE TO NOTICE. I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE HAPPY!!! LOL HAPPY WEEKEND!

PAINTER~ THE GOALS ARE GREAT. PRACTICAL AND DOABLE.
GOOD NEWS ABOUT YOUR FRIEND.....AND WHAT A SHOW OF STRENGTH FROM HER TOO. WONDERFUL ATTITUDE. NOW WHY WON'T YOU TELL US WHAT YOU ATE?!?!?! LOL INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW THESE THINGS! LOL I DO LOVE BORDERS SO! WE GO THERE ABOUT EVERY 8 WEEKS AND I DO SOME XMAS SHOPPING THERE. CAN'T LEAVE WITHOUT BUYING SOMETHING!! I ALSO GET RICHIE'S 2 KIDS HOLIDAY GIFTS THERE TOO. THEY HAVE GREAT BARGAIN TABLES. :dizzy:

IT'S 49* OUTSIDE AND I C;OSED MY WINDOWS LAST NIGHT THANK GOD. WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ICICLE THIS MORNING. FUNNY CAUSE MONDAY NIGHT I HAD THE AC RUNNING!!!
THIS WINTER WILL REQUIRE AN ELECTRIC BLANKET TO GET THE BED WARMED UP I THINK. GONNA GET ONE FOR JEN TOO. HER SKINNY BUTT COULDN'T WARM UP A CHAISE LOUNGE ON A BEACH IN TAHITI:faint: TODAY IS DAY 1 AND I HAVE MY WATER AND MEDS RIGH HER AND DID BREAKFAST ALREADY SO I'M OFF AND RUNNING. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE.

TEEL~ I AM THINKING OF YOU EVEN WHEN YOU AREN'T HER SO TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOURSELF AND HOPE THE RESPRITE WORKS! :encore:

NAE~ HOW MANY PETS DO YOU HAVE NOW AND WHAT ARE THEIR NAMES? OTHER THAN SQUIRT AND SPARKY? THE TURTLES MUST THINK THEY MOVED TO A LUXURIOUS LOCATION....NEW ROCKS. TOBY SOUNDS LIKE FUN TO BE WITH AND HOPE THE DEER LOOK ON HIM KINDLY! :rofl: GUTSY LITTLE DOG!

HOLLY~ THE AVON "MAN" WAS HERE. THE LADY'S HUSBAND CAME TO DELIVER AND COLLECT CAUSE SHE IS SOOO BUSY TOO. I HAD A LAUGH WHEN I SAW HIM CAUSE HE USED TO BE A COP!!! :lol3: I TOLD HIM AVON MIGHT PAY BETTER AND IT'S NOT AS DANGEROUS AND BESIDES THESE WOMEN HER WOULD PROBABLY BUY A BUNDLE FROM HIM JUST TO GET HIM TO THE HOUSE!!! :rofl:

MEADOW~ GLAD THE PC IS UP AND RUNNING NO MATTER WHAT THE PROBLEM. I TOO WOULD LIKE TO GET INTO THE HABIT OF EXERCISING IN THE MORNING. CRACKED UP WITH YOUR "GREEN GOOP" CAUSE I BOUGHT A BOTTLE OF BOLTHOUSE GREEN GODDESS(THINK THAT WAS THE NAME) AND HAD A REALLY TOUGH TIME FINISHING IT!! LOL THE COLOR IS NOT INDUCIVE TO GUZZLING IT DOWN! :rofl: I AM TRYING NOT TO SOUND LIKE A CINIC LATELY(SP). GOOD LUCK!

CEEJAY~ FOR SOME REASON I HAD NO IDEA OF YOUR AGE.
AFTER I BOUGHT A SCALE I FOUND OUT I WAS EATING TOO LITTLE PROTEIN. MY EYEBALL MEASUREMENTS WERE WAY OFF:faint: LAST NIGHT I THOUGHT YOU WROTE THAT YOU HAD A "BLOG: SALAD AND FOR A FEW SECONDS I THOUGHT WTF IS THAt????? THEN I GOT CLOSE THE THE SCREEN AND SAW BBQ!!! :rofl: AFTER LAUGHING VERY HARD I WENT TO BED EXHAUSTED BUT HAPPY.

HAPPY~ I HEAR YA ON THE SINUS SITUATION.THEY TRY TO TELL ME THEY THINK I HAVE MORE "IRRITANTS" THAN ALLERGIES AND I SAID I DON'T GIVE A F... WHAT THEY ARE JUST GET RID OF THEM!! :lol3: HAS MOM LEFT? I THINK I HAVE MISSED SOMETHING HERE? DID SHE SEE ROCKY WADDLING AROUND THE GARDEN? WHAT WAS THE MEDICATION YOU LIKED? DID THEY TAKE IT OFF THE COUNTER EVERYWHERE? LET ME KNOW.

I BETTER GET GOING AND CHECK ON THE ALARMS. GETTING LATE AND HAVEN'T EVEN TAKEN A LISTEN YET!!! GOTTA EARN THE BIG BUCKS:rofl: :lol3: :lol: :faint:
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND:moped:

:snooty: :snooty: :snooty: Just for your info Miss Mel, I DID notice but I chose not to say anything because, well... you haven't listened :listen: to me complain about your talking about Christmas way back in JUNE was it. :rofl: :rofl: Besides, I like your birdies.

Yes, mom has gone back home. I miss her as the lady loved to wash - dishes, clothes, toilets, you name it. I have a fancy Maytag washer and dryer and she said doing laundry was more like playing to her. So now it's back to reality and I have to wash my own stuff :p More than the washing I miss her company. Even if she did talk over and constantly comment when I was trying to watch my 3 favorite TV shows. She's like her own jeering / cheering section - "Boy he's quite a SKUNK, isn't she pretty, I can't stand that :censored: " - yep Mom says blue words I would get my mouth washed out for. :tape: But she's so cute and I love her to bits.

Mel, the medication I used was called Actifed. Benedryl and Sudafed just never worked as well for me. Best I can do is the generic version that the pharmacy chains carry but it doesn't work as well and I have to actually sign a form that they send to the state to track my usage - and I can only buy one box at a time. Like I'm going to go to 100 pharmacies and buy 1 box each to cook up a batch of fake crystal meth :rolleyes: I had the windows wide open last night and had my favorite soft, snuggly blanket to keep me warm. And if that fails there's always DH - with the furnace body but watch out for those cold as ice feet :yikes: Good sleeping. :cloud9: Hope you find yourself a nice electric blanket. I would set mine to warm about 30 minutes before bedtime and ooooohhh heaven to crawl between nice warm sheets when you can hear the icy wind blowing outside. They also have what they call bed warmers too which is just a big old giant heating pad that you lay on instead of under but I think I like the idea of the blanket a bit better. Mel, you have like a gazillion things on your challenge - do you want to juggle that many balls at once? :dizzy:

I was hunting the Internet last night for some info for my newsletter and got side tracked and discovered that my SIL out east just made the President's Club for Avon sales. I was breezing through the website (put out by the district manager) and was pretty surprised to see how radically they have shifted the Avon sales strategy.

Come on PW, get on the diabetic diet plan. I will suffer with you (pinkie swear!). I should be on that too so I will feel your pain and longing for those things we want most dearly that we shouldn't have. I :love: the Black Eyed Pea restaurants. The don't have them here in Tennessee, I have to go east (Georgia) or west (Texas) to get to one. Probably a good idea they are far away. They had great corn bread and peach cobbler if I remember correctly. Was also the place I got hooked on sweet tea (sweetened cold ice tea - I know, an ugly concept to Shad).

Thanks for the update on Teel Shad (we love you Teel :grouphug: ) Wish we were closer to visit with her. Enjoy your visit away Teel. I looked at your garden shots on Webshots Shad. Love that red prickly fuzzy flower in the pot. Is that the Christmas bush? (Wait, are you in kahoots with Mel on the Christmas thing? :lol3: ) Yard is looking quite lovely. I remember the shots of when you first started to tear it apart. Maybe I should front your airline ticket in the spring and you can come and plant my front yard and gardens :chin: :idea:

Welcome back Meadow, glad to have you back with us. I'm soooo sorry that you lost all your AB pics. You had some incredible artwork there :cry:

Ceejay did you notice that sometime during the summer the mockingbirds went away for a while? They were all over in the spring - we used to feed them blueberries and grapes and then they disappeared. There was one mommy mockingbird who built a nest in our tree. She had a bent pin feather so we could easily recognise her. She's back again but stays in the front yard only. They peep a little bit but nothing like the chattyness we heard in the spring.

I just squeeked by on yesterday's day 2 challenge. Just wasn't forefront in my mind. Today will be a challenge with the water consumption - I drink more naturally when I'm sitting at my desk instead of running around the house. And I always have to push the water a little harder when it's cooler and I'm not so thirsty. I am going to try and take the bike out for a while - IF there is air in the tires. :bike: DH will probably get all excited and want to do a 50 mile ride while I'm wondering how I'll negotiate the mini hills in the neighborhood :lol:

I've got my newsletter done, will go out for supplies shortly and print it this afternoon. Then calls to the block captains to pick them up and distribute (tho I will probably have to drop them off) I can probably get the whole house tidied in the time it takes to do a few loads of laundry. Meal planning today, shopping tomorrow and I have most of tomorrow to myself if I hustle today.

Ok, DH wants to know if I'm ready to go to the store so I'm off. Hellos to Teel, Tig, Holly, Nae and all lurkers. :wave:

Are you being served, again?
 

:cofdate: I WAS MINDING MY OWN BUSINESS, SITTING AND WATCHING MY BRITISH COMEDY DVDS AND THE DOORBELL RANG. IT WAS ONE OF THE MAINT. MEN WITH AN ORDER OF PORK LO MEIN! HE AND THE FAMILY WERE PICKING UP LUNCH AND HE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE NICE FOR ME NOT TO HAVE TO COOK TODAY.....I TOLD HIM HE'S AFRAID OF WHAT ORDERS I WILL GIVE HIM FOR WORK NEXT WEEK! :rofl: HE'S A GOOD 'UN THOUGH.
INSTEAD OF USING IT AS A MEAL I WILL HAVE A SMALL PORTION AND ADD A SALAD AND MORE VEGGIES. THERE'S ENOUGH HERE FOR 4 SENSIBLE PORTIONS AND THE FUNNY THING IS THAT 3 YEARS AGO, I WOULD HAVE SAT IN FRONT OF THE TV AND ATE IT ALL! :eating2:

HAPPY I AM STILL LAUGHING AT THE GAZILLION THINGS. :lol: :lol: I THOUGHT LONG AND HARD AND THOSE ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT IN ORDER TO KEEP MY STATUS QUO :lol3: THERE ARE MORE IF YOU CAN BELIEVE IT....THINGS I SHOULD BE DOING AND NEGLECT AT TIMES! IF I CAN MAKE IT THROUGH THE NEXT 21 DAYS THEN JUST MAYBE IT WILL BECOME A HABIT AND I WON'T HAVE TO "THINK" SO MUCH. KNOW WHAT I MEAN? I'M SO TIRED OF THINKING!!! :lol: :lol:
:wave: BYE MOMMA HAPPY!!! SORRY TO SEE YOU GO. SEND SHAD THE TICKET, SHE CAN STOP HERE :sunny: , SMACK ME IN THE HEAD :rollpin: , SLAP SOME SENSE IN ME :crazy: AND CONTINUE ON TO YOUR PLACE :bike:

I MUST HAVE MISSED THE GARDEN PHOTO BIT. WILL HAVE TO CHECK IT OUT THIS WEEKEND IN MY SPARE TIME. I HAVE A POT ROAST IN THE DUTCH OVEN POT AND HAVE BEEN SORTING STUFF IN THE KITCHEN. OLD APPLIANCES I DON'T WANT LIKE A SANDWICH MAKER ETC. FAD APPLIANCES JEN JUST HAD TO HAVE AND LEFT HERE WHEN SHE MOVED! :tantrum:

BETTER GET BACK TO IT. I ACTUALLY HAD A HEATER ON IN THE BATHROOM 2 DAYS IN A ROW! :( :cry: :eek:

Hello every one

Slept extremely late this morning - till 11 a.m. but I had a rough night with another colitis attack. Man I hate that. I gotta find out what is causing this. I'm thingking it's allergy related.

Happy--did you get my email with the crocodile? The mail deamon hasn't sent it back to me this time.

Mel--Are you already in the christmas spirit? Love your tracker, I need to put one of those in my post.

I'm going to post my pounds and inches today since it's the October 1.
Bust------43.0
upper abs 38.5
waist-----40.0
tummy---43.0
hips------45.0
thighs-----19.0
calves-----13.0
biceps-----13.5
Think wearing the pedometer has helped me reduce my hips and legs from all that walking.

Weight is back down to 179.

Mel--I'm going to Paragould today to visit with my aunt and uncle and play with there grand kids. My aunt just called she's already wanting me over there so I guess I'll get ready and go. Would you believe that after 8 to 10 years she is wanting to locate her parents grave site. I don't know why she doesn't go out there with her sister she know exactly where it is.

Gotta go.

I've already screwed up on the challenge... but I'm not starting over and here's why.
I said I'd walk or exercise by 10 am. If you sleep til 11.... well, you get the picture. But I did walk immediately... and have just had water since. Not hungry so don't have to make any food confessions.

I get tooooooooooooooooooooo ashamed of my bingey times to post what I eat... so I thought I'd spare myself the public humiliation. If I can get the binges managed, THEN I'll go public.

Mel wrote: AFTER I BOUGHT A SCALE I FOUND OUT I WAS EATING TOO LITTLE PROTEIN. MY EYEBALL MEASUREMENTS WERE WAY OFF
My first reading of this made me think, OMG, even my eyeballs probably don't measure up. My waist and hips certainly don't! but then I re-read it. :twirly:
I can't remember when it was cold enough to want an electric blanket, but it is great to snuggle into a warmed up bed! Unlike Happy's situation, I'm usually the one with the iceberg feet.

Happy-- Yes, Black Eyed Pea has the soft yeast rolls and corn bread. DH and I aren't as enamoured of the peach cobbler as the chocolate cake. I swear it is a half a pound of chocolat frosting, chocolate chips, ganash with a little cake thrown in. The two of us can get two generous servings EACH from one piece. But... um... guess that won't be happening any more. :rofl:

Hollyhock-- have you thought about dressing up your DH in a cop uniform to distribute those Avon booklets? Might start a whole new craze. There IS something about a man in uniform. (Though my demise (well, one of them) was a session musician who was always wearing a tuxedo. Sigh.) DH owns a tuxedo, but neither of us can fit into it any more.

Speaking of which, he has just emerged from his den. TTFN.

Shad-your photos were superb! I have bookmarked your site to go back and prowl around some more. I planted a bunch of bulbs outfront, lots of mini daffodils which are my favourite and some white crocus because I'm just fickle and decided I wasn't going to plant any yellow or purple because that is what the local place "had" carried in their miniscule way and since I had to mailorder all my bulbs, I'm just honery :lol3: I planted some bluebells too which I have always had a fondness for, I adore spring! I guess it is just around the corner for you ;) Long wait up here :^:

Mel-golly, irritants! What are you supposed to do? Wear a space helmet to keep the buggers away from your peepers? You need to reverse your magnetism and repel them somehow, hmm, must be a vitamin for that or a way to make your eyes a less hospitable host to these things. Give me some time, I'll get it figured out. Have you been to a natural path? How charming that the maintenance fellow brought you some nosh. You are must cared about by many people.

Holly-I know, I know. Both my kids have had fevers and sore throats. Emily came home from school yesterday and just crashed. She slept for two hours and threw up, said her throat was sore, wouldn't eat. I gave her some Tylenol and she seems to have rallied this morning. I don't remember being sick all the time when I was in grade school. High school sure, I had lots of bouts of can't get up itis, self inflicted :s: :lol: How industrious are you? Having a kiosk in the market? You go girl! Avon is going to have you working in head office in no time.

Painterwoman-nice goals, the less sugar diabetic plan is a good one. Congratulations to your friend at beating the odds, melanoma is scary. I hope you are keeping your energy up and enjoying the day:)

Happy-aw, I loved hearing about your mom. Doesn't she brighten your day? Will she be coming back for a visit at Christmas :D She sounds like alot of fun, you are very lucky to still have a parent in your life to enjoy. How is your wild kitty? Have the raccoons been back?

Ceejay-EEEE! 4000 lb crocodile eating people in downtown New Orleans! you are kidding right? That is a movie in the making, just wait. :lol: Good luck on the challenge, it all begins today!

I gave the challenge some thought and I will be exercising at least three times a week, the 4 mile WATP tape. I need to drink more water. So at least 4 glasses. I am getting dehydrated, even my skin is getting flaky. I can't find a good moisturizer that doesn't clog my poors and make me all sweaty. *sorry, probably more than you wanted to know :p

((((Teel)))) feel better soon, I'm so sorry you are having such a tough go of it.

Linus and little Christopher-go to sleep, rest ;) Can't wait to see a little pic of the wee one. Is everyone taking good care of you Linus? They aren't leaving it all up to you are they? Get noisy if they are, you need to focus on getting you back again after this incubation :smug:

:wave:hello lurkers and readers, do drop a line, we are the United Nations of weight loss;)

Meadow, don't know if you can get this stuff but I love it. I too have problems with creams. This is Neutrogena NORWEGIAN FORMULA Moisturizing Cream. It comes in a jar and a thinner version in a bottle with a pump. I prefer the thicker version in the jar. It's hypoallergenic, fragrance free and dermatologist recommended. My whole body gets dry in the cooler months but legs and feet are especially bad. I use this after a shower and sometimes when I get ready for bed at night. My sister who tries every beauty product produced gave me some for my birthday and I can't say enough about it. It even says it won't clog pores on the back of the jar.

Here's a pic.

It's a beautiful day outside. Sunny and just a just a bit of warmth. Windows are all opened and I also opened the front door - we have a big screened storm door to let in all that glorious fresh air.

I have a zinnia patch right at the front steps. There are several butterflies dancing and prancing about. Here's a picture of one that DH took this week.

Boo!!
 

Mel said for me to pop in and say hiya.. so hiya ladies! :wave:

Ceejay, I didn't get your email but I did find the story on the Internet. It's a semi hoax.

The hoax part is the email text itself: Stay out of the water . . . Now this is a Crocodile!

Man, can you imagine what else was swimming around down there in that water? Lord have mercy.....

This crocodile was found in New Orleans swimming down the street. 21 FT long, 4,500 lbs, around 80 years old minimum.

Specialists said that he was looking to eat humans because he was too old to catch animals. This crocodile was killed by the army last Sunday at 3:00 pm, currently he is in the freezer at the Azur hotel. The contents of it's stomach will be analyzed this Friday at 2:30pm.

The reality is that it's a real picture of a real crocodile but he wasn't in New Orleans and wasn't really 21 feet long and 4,500 pounds.

These photographs actually show a crocodile that was shot and killed on 6 July 2003 at Pointe-Noire in the Republic of Congo. According to an article in allafrica.com, the reptile was a Nile crocodile whose vital statistics fell a bit short of the claims made above: he was estimated to be 50 years old, about 16 feet in length, and about 1,900 lbs. (not quite the 80-year-old, 21-foot, 4,500-pound monster described in e-mail). The local mayor reportedly insisted on preserving the crocodile's carcass against the efforts of locals who wanted to eat it and arranged for it to be shipped to a taxidermist.

(There were 3 pictures of the croc but this one showed it's size best in relation to the people standing next to it)

Hiya LindaT - welcome to the mad mad world of the worldly chicks.

Do you always do as Mel tells you? If we all did that, we would be spinning around out of control digging, cooking, wheeling, etc.etc. We would probably rule the world as well.

Back shortly - got a couple of things to do before I post todays chapter and verse.

So I'm sitting here watching my newsletters print - they occasionally jam so I have to keep a closer eye on them than I'd like. The up side is I get to waste more time on the computer here instead of helping DH pick up all the sticks and leaves and schmutz in the yard - bad for my allergies anyway.

I picked the last of the oregano and the scent is still on my fingers. I'm going to dry it on the counter like I did the fresh basil (I ruined the first batch trying to dry it in the microwave.)

Linda T, thanks for poppin in. I love your Halloween kitty picture. Surprised that kitty's not chasing the spider or does he have a good grip on it? :lol:

Wow Meadow, the 4 mile WATP tape? You go girl! :high: :dancer:

:cb: Same for you Mel on not slurping down the whole Lo Mein order at once. How nice of one of your buddies to look out for you. You've given me a taste for Chinese but our favorite restaurant is still closed for remodeling. Maybe next week. Enjoy your movies and rest those peepers. I'm noticing you're on here alot today. Scat woman - don't over do it. We have learned to get you in little bits and pieces. And we much prefer that to long absences when you over do it. :nono:

Ok PW, no more sugar / carb binges. The only binges we want to hear of the rest of the week are water hangovers, brocolli binges and marathon walking episodes :rofl: You are hereby ordered to post one good thing you did right each day to change that negative mindset. :goodvibes:

Back again. Sorry about that chief. I'd forgotten that saying until the report of Don Adams death this week. Brought back some memories that did! Oh how young and silly we were back then! :rofl: :lol3:

Happy - NZ Christmas bush is Metrosideros thomasii not to be confused with Metrosideros excelsus which is the Pohutukawa tree. I figured that people would like the common name better than the botanical. So called Christmas bush because in NZ it flowers (you guessed it) at Christmas, likewise it's big brother the Pohutukawa. I've been trying to translate Pohutukawa and the nearest I can guess is that bitter flower. It's not quite right but close enough. Anyway back to the trees. These two wonderful specimens flower in the summer for quite long periods and grow (the trees anyway) mostly along the coast line. So imagine a rugged and rocky coastline surrounded by pounding surf and blue seas covered in those bright red almost orange spiky flowers. There are or at least were vast stretches of bright red hillsides and cliffs along the coasts. Maori legend has it that when one passes on to the next world, ones spirit (soul) flies to the very tip of the North Island and rests for a period of time in the very ancient pohutukawa tree which clings to the cliff face. From there it goes on to join the ancestors. Which explains the length of a Maori funeral.
Have fun with the newsletters. Is it part of a cunning plan to get the challenge exercise in by walking the neighbourhood?

Painter - I don't care when you get the exercise in - as long as you do it. I haven't checked up on all the challenges but some of us are trying to make ourselves perfect in one go. The idea really is to have a do able challenge that you don't have think about all day and within 21 days it might just become a habit. You are being very hard on yourself my friend. Try one or two things at a time and achieve them, then on to the harder bits. Here's a hug for you to keep up your spirits {{{{PW}}}}

Meadow - I'm a bit ornery about my plants and colour schemes as well. My local nursery carries a lot of roses, but I don't buy them from there for a couple of reasons. One, they tend to have a small selection to choose from and the stock answer is (if you ask for another variety) 'that one doesn't grow well up here'. Two, their roses are more expensive than the nursery I do go to and who hand out advice free, gratis and for nothing and whose personnel all are dedicated rose growers. Your spring garden sounds wonderful. I've tried but most bulbs up here become annuals. It just doesn't get cold enough for them. I have some success with the creamy white Erlicheer jonquil and the coloured friesias but that is about it apart from those gigantic hippeastrums you saw on the pics.

Holly - will you please stop the Christmas countdown. I don't need it at all. And slow down for heavens sake, you are making me tired and it's only 6.32am.

Mel - the maintenance manager - have you fixed the pipes yet? Can you organise for a man to come and put in my tap in the bathroom - oh and change out the spout over the bath and maybe plumb in some new pipes in the laundry?? What - how much $$$$ did you say???? Take care sis, enjoy the time. It may be what you need to keep occupied but if you overdo it, there will be consequences. So think, plan, organise before you go rushing into the basement and take the works apart.
Also, like Painter, you may be overdoing the things to do on the challenge. Change things gradually - not all at once. Geez, when I said my mission in life was to change just one American attitude, I didn't realise how hard it was going to be. That frenzied rushing about, get it done now, must be born in you. Ever heard of relaxation?? That's r-e-l-a-x-a-t-i-o-n. Means to sit back, reflect on the achievements already done, count your blessing, rest, renew, recuperate, recreate. No forget the recreate bit. Okay, lecture over.

Ceejay - Your measurements are very similar to mine when I started keeping the records. Looking forward to next month to see your progress. Have a nice time with the extended family today.

It's going to be a beautiful day, the sun is shining, there is a cool breeze at the moment but it will warm up. The sky is a clear blue. The Willy Wagtails are digging worms out of the garden, the blue jays are building another nest in the Silky Oak tree (last one got blown down eggs and all in the big wind), the Poinciana is showing the first signs of fuzzy green, the Cockatoos are having a family argument while flying overhead - what a noise! Other than that, it is a peaceful, quiet, lovely day - well so far anyway. The new neighbour had a house warming party last night. She came over and warned me it was going to happen. So I guess the other neighbours will get their own back later in the day with lawnmowers, power tools, car revving etc.etc. We have our own noise laws around here!

Okay, that's it for this morning. I have things to do, places to go, people to see and the bloody gym equipment to look at for an hour this morning as well. Best go get breakfast or it will be sitting in the stomach while I am trying to pound out the k's on the treadie.

I am completely pooped form the fair. I have just guzzled 4 glasses of water, fed the kids and now the boys are going to a 2 hour hockey practise. Holy crap.
DD is lounging on the couch.
No trophies this year at Mutton Busting.
It was fun, festive, saw lots of friends.
My goal for tonight is to tidy every surface in the house! and fold 3 basket of laundry.
I have cleaners coming on Monday to super fall clean the kitchen. Weehee!!

Happy~ Avon has totally stepped up. There is loads of potential to make cashola. I am gunning for Prez Club too.

I just had such a lovely read thru!!! I adore you ladies. What a chatty Saturday/Sunday. I will try to look at the pics from everyone later.

Meadow~ I am partial to the African Shea Butter from Avon and the Naturals line.

Love ya chickies!!

Good Morning
 

Hey Everyone, hope the weekend is fun and full of the little jobs and projects getting done. I completed my first day on the challenge and ready for day 2. It seems like taking your vitamins would be a simple thing to do but I am using this challenge to make it a daily habit..... sort of have a problem getting them down. Mental thing I am sure.
Shad I am so glad your trip is approaching and you get to do some travelling again. I have a girlfriend who's stepson is just recently moved to Japan to play basketball for a semi pro team...I am sure he stands out!
I am getting ready to plant a few bulbs this weekend and to do some more work on the newsletter I am trying to get out.... it is taking me forever!!!!
My little fawns are still around mewing and the weather each day carries a promise of cooler wetter days ahead.
Mel you asked about my creatures.... Tiny Teeka Tiger is the princess 101/2 yr old yorkie...my love. Then the new kid Toby Two my yorkie mix...he is hilarious.... then I have Sparky he will be 3 this november a Red Slider Turtle.... and also Squirt will be 2 this november another Red Slider Turtle.... and I have a small tank of tetra's, a molly, two monkey fish and some guppies..... besides all of the wilderness creatures....they all entertain me.
Hope everyone is well and looking forward to all those holidays which are fast approaching.... I made a delicious batch of turkey chili yesterday.... turned out sooo good!
Take Good Care,
Nae

LINDA~ SO GLAD TO SEE YOU HERE!! HOPE YOU STAY AWHILE AND JUST MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME. LESS FORMAL HERE AND CHIT CHATTY. LOVE KITTY'S PICTURE!!! SHAD WILL SHOW YOU TO YOUR NEW ROOM IF YOU WANT TO STAY.
WE TRY HARD NOT TO CHASE ANYONE AWAY BUT GUESS WE'RE A SCARY LOT CAUSE SOME DO LEAVE! :rofl:

PAINTER~ AFTER READING IT AGAIN....IT SOUNDED LIKE I WAS MEASURING EYEBALLS AS WELL AS EVERYTHING ELSE! ROFLMAO
I DON'T THINK LATE STARTS ARE A BAD THING....AFTER ALL, YOU DID IT. THAT'S WHAT COUNTS. UNIFORMS? DID I HEAR YOU SAY UNIFORMS!!!?!?! YUM YUM!!! :faint:

MEADOW~ I WONDER IF THEY MAKE BUBBLE SUITS "TO GO"!!! THEY MUST HAVE VERY LONG CORDS ON THEM.:rofl: AFTER MY SHOWER, I USE NEUTROGENA LIGHT SESAME OIL BUT ONLY ON ARMS AND LEGS. EVERYTHING ELSE BREAKS OUT!!! LOL NOW I'M THINKING OF TRYING HAPPY'S CREAM! :lol: GOOD LUCK WITH THE GOALS.

HAPPY~ I HAVE SEEN IT AND WILL BUY IT NOW. I HAVE ABOUT TRIED EVERYTHING ELSE ON THE MARKET! LOL WE HAD A LOVELY DAY HERE TOO SAMS THE BUTTERFLIES. UNLESS YOU COUNT THE KID THAT WAS THROWING ROCKS OFF OUR 8 STORY BLDG!!! THEY WERE FLYING!!! CROCODILES!!! YIKES!!! THANK GOD I LIVE IN THE NORTH! LOL I am watching the eyes....but the face! :yikes:

SHAD~JEN AND I USED TO SAY THAT ALL THE TIME!!! "SORRY ABOUT THAT CHIEF" :rofl: I HAD FORGOTTEN TILL YOU MENTIONED IT! I'D LIKE TO COME BACK AS A FLOWERING PLANT. :flow1: MAYBE SOMEONE WOULD TAKE GOOD CARE OF ME THEN! :lol3: LOVED THE FUNERAL; STORY...THINK I MIGHT GO AND LOOK FOR A PICTURE SO I KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR SO I CAN STOP AND REST THERE TOO. YOUR MISSION TO SLOW ME DOWN IS A TOUGH ONE AND I DON'T ENVY YOUR POSITION! LOL I AM TRYING TO GET ORGANIZED FOR THE WEEK. I AM ALSO THINKING I CAN DO A LOT OF IT FROM HERE. TALKED TO THE LADS YESTERDAY AND THEY THINK THE SAME. THERE IS A FLIGHT OF STAIRS RIGHT OUTSIDE MY DOOR AND I'M ONLY ONE SHORT FLIGHT UP. ANd WE ALL HAVE THE SAME RADIO/CEL PHONE. I DECIDED on THIS CAUSE THE EYES AND FACE ARE JUST BARELY HEALING WITHOUT THE PILLS AND I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP THE BALANCE IN MY FAVOR! LOL AM GOING TO SEE YOUR PICS TODAY. I WAS ALSO THINKING......SEEMS ODD THAT SOMEONE WHO NEVER SITS STILL IS TRYING TO GIVE ME FLAT TIRES!:dance:

HOLLY~ I AM GLAD THE FAIR WAS SO NICE!! I MISS STUFF LIKE THAT WHEN I LIVED IN THE COUNTRY FOR A SHORT SPELL.
HOPE THE WEEK IS A BIT SLOWER AND YOU ENJOY THE CLEANERS!!!

NAE~ HOW SURROUNDED YOU ARE BY FRIENDS!! OR SHOULD I SAY "FAMILY" BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THEY REALLY ARE. DOES TEEKA GET JEALOUS? NOW SHE HAS TO SHARE MOM WITH ANOTHER 4 FOOTED RELATIVE! I AM USING THE CHALLENGE FOR MY SUPPLEMENTS AND MEDS. I HATE TAKING PILLS ALSO FOR SOME REASON AND HAVE TRIED MANY TIMES TO FIGURE OUT WHY! THEY DON'T SWALLOW SO EASY!!! LOLI CAN HARDLY WAIT FOR THE HOLIDAYS AND JEN AND I WERE TALKING ABOUT THEM YESTERDAY. SHE ASKED IF I NEEDED HELP THIS YEAR WITH THE BOXES! I SAID YA WANNA DO IT TODAY? ALL I GOT WAS A LOUD AND LONG MAAAAAAAAAAAAA! I LOVE TURKEY CHILI! :eating1:

CEEJAY~ I AM WITH YOU IN PARAGOULD IN SPIRIT MY FRIEND. I WAS THINKING WHEN I READ YOUR POST THAT MAYBE SHE TRUSTED YOU WITH THIS MISSION TO FIND THE GRAVE BECAUSE IN OUR MINDS WE KNOW WHO TO PICK....THERE WILL BE A LOT OF EMOTIONS UPON THE DISCOVERY OF THE GRAVE AND ACTUALLY SEEING IT. SHE MUST WANT THAT PERSON TO BE YOU. I THINK IT'S A GREAT TRUST SHE HAS IN YOU...EVEN MORE THAN HER OWN SISTER. HOPE IT ALL WENT WELL.

I HAVE GOT TO GET THY BUTT MOVING. THE CHALLENGE IS A SNAP FOR ME ON THE WEEKENDS.....THE REAL TEST WILL BE THIS WEEK AND THE ADDED GOALS THAT ARE MON-FRI.
I CAN DO THIS!!! ;bubb;es:
HAPPY SUNDAY AND HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!!:moped:

HOPE ALL THE REST ARE WELL AND HAPPY. :wave:

Happy Holidays!!!
 

Morning
 

:coffee2: I'm enjoying my first iced mocha of the day so I thought I'd stop back in because Mel would run me down if I didn't. :lol: Besides, quite a few of you have run off from the journals and I miss you. :(

Shad, I do some things Mel tells me to because if I don't she'll start singing Christmas Carols all the time and drive me bonkers earlier than normal. You KNOW she likes to do that. :D

Happy, all those things in the kitty icon are put there but PaintShop Pro magic. She wouldn't sit still for a spider in her paws or candy corn in her ears. I made another icon for one of the mods here.. I like doing the seasonal stuff. Hers has a witch hat and other things in it. I have slime and all sorts of stuff for Halloween.

Mel, you and your holidays!! :lol:

I just finished my 73 minutes of step aerobics and need to go eat breakfast before I start eating things I shouldn't. Arggh gotta go and clean off the cat anyway. She has long hair and well let's just say she has a present for me. :p

Hiya. I only cleared 2/3 of the surfaces but it's a start. Church was nice.We now have a hockey game at 2 and I want to go. I have all my veggies for the salsa. I guess I will run them through the processor after supper and let it stew all night.Hubby will have a fit. BUT I am up till 12 and he is up at 5:30. I am certain the house wont burn down.
Did I mention I have cleaners coming!!! Gotta love Avon cash bonuses!!!

Hiya Linda. We aren't scary at all!!! Dont let Mel fool ya.

Melly, Melly quit scaring off our friends!! DS is has irritant issues( WTF) I did have him skin tested and did all the food elimination stuff and he has no real allergies.He is sensitive to a few things. Annoying. I wonder if I have irritant issues with my family, LOL!!

HUGS Teel, wishing you peace.
Cuddles to CJ and his Momma.
CJ~ how was paragould?
PW~ you keep on.
Shadster~ busy as usual. I still haven't gone ot the pic lnk. Damn kids keep interfering.
Miss Meadow you exercizing Vixen!!!
Hi back atcha Happy.
Nae~ your life sounds so peaceful at the mo.

HUGS worldly chicks!!!

Here we go again, another Monday.

Yesterday was really busy, I started at one end of the house and finished at the other. Loads of washing in between. Plus an hour at the gym and a couple of hours tv viewing I guess. See I do sit down Mel. I do a flylady thing - X number of minutes then a ten minute rest. It is amazing how much can get done when you are on a time trial :lol: I watched an Aussie made program called 'Small Gardens' yesterday afternoon to see if it gave me any ideas. There was a courtyard garden which was absolutely beautiful - French provincial in style and I loved it until they said that it would cost $15,000 to do in a 4m x 3.7m courtyard (13ft x 10ft more or less) :yikes: :faint: :shrug: :eek: :censored: Apparently the urns - which by the way were not vintage, antique or anything else and were made of fibreglass - cost $2500 each and they had 2 of them! Had a few thoughts about my garden but they will have to wait till the big stuff is done. My garden looks all right for the time being.

Holly - what sort of salsa is it that has to stew for all those hours? What I call a salsa is chunks of veges and fruit like tomato, avocado, mango, onion etc. You sound like you are making a huge batch of pasta sauce or something - ketchup? Ummmm am I missing something? - talking about Mel scaring off our new friends and irritants in the same paragraph? :rofl: :lol3: :rofl: :lol3::rofl: :lol3::rofl: :lol3::rofl: :lol3:

Linda I know just what you mean about all of those irritating Christmas Carols. Bad enough that I spied Christmas decorations in the shops last week and they will be doing all the Chrissy displays soon. It's much too early. And the thought of sickly Christmas music assaulting my senses in the stores is enough to send me out to buy all the Christmas gifts now and stay out of the shops for the rest of the so called 'season'. Hope you got breakfast in time. Would you believe that I actually forgot about breakfast this morning! Forgot! Food! Me!!! So today is my treat day for breakfast. Normally that comes on a Wednesday when the exercise is done for the week.

Is it Queens Birthday in Western Australia today then Mel? Or is it somewhere else in the world. Certainly nothing like it on this side of the continent. Who is having Labour Day? I'm trying to work out the 'Steps' - you aren't thinking of climbing up and down them are you???

Roseblush - so nice to hear about the rural sector. You sound like you have such a lovely back yard. Maybe my big overseas trip in the future will have to be a drive around the States and Canada getting to see all the things I only get to read about on here. Okay, maybe not driving - although I only managed to frighten a few of the people in Arizona with my drift to the left. And at least they sort of speak English over there. Imagine trying to drive on the wrong side of the road and be unable to explain ones actions or interpret the road signs. :moped: Think I might learn to ride a bike again.

Teel's away for another couple of days, Tig has ridden off into the sunset with Slim and scabbard, Meadow is out planting for spring, Linus is busy with the baby, Happy must have got lost delivering the newsletters or maybe she has found something interesting to see and do. Painter is busy with the cheque book and taking speaking engagements. Or is she just busy shaving her legs.

The challenge seems to be going well, although I think I overdid it with the veges for dinner last night. Roasted veg with a herb and garlic sauce, steamed zucchini and snow peas. Too much and too yummy. Also had lo fat, lo carb icecream and apricots. Don't usually like the lo fat varieties but this one is not bad - from an ice cream addict that is saying something. I forget what day I am on here - is it 3? Will need to go back and look. After this I might use the day as a title. That way I can't forget.

Have a good day - or what is left of it for those on Sunday.