Not much time this AM---

Amarantha, I saw Dr, Phil yesterday too. Yes, I think that lovely woman's motives were more than a bit off and she has much work to do. Lot of pain there. Sad that she didn't feel worthy of sitting with her family at mealtimes.
For me, the weighing and meauring thing feels like a loving act toward myself right now. I know I'm in deep trouble and something's wrong when my eating's out of control. A little awareness can be a great thing.;)

Yey, Frogger!!!!:D

Kaylets, hope you can get some rest today. Your line 'why do we think so little of ourselves' is haunting me---definitely food for thought there. Yes, why can't we see how glorious we are? That's my challenge for everyone here today: Be a queen! Just for today, see how it feels!

Have a good day, Your Majestys!

Hi All,

Just finished up financial reporting peak season yesterday. I've been pushing too hard, and over-extending myself, and as a result --- I'm exhausted! Quel surprise! Going to lie on couch. Love to all...

Hello,
Back on track. Day one of forever. Ate food, wrote down the calories and fat, did some weights.

Frogger - congrats on getting to you labor day goal. And so fast too. Victories like that are so good for people.

At any rate, much keep cleaning. Parents in town. Eeek.

Hello!

As for starting my high protine no carb diet, I am back on W again today, there was no way in **** I`d be able to not eat my fruits and veggies. When I woke up this morning I felt I had no energy, and even a bit sickly, so I am blaming it on the way to much fat, and not enough "good" carbs. So back on the bend wagone and back to WW.

Pumpkinseed one pound is better then none, congrats! the titanic memorial is not here in NL (or I don`t think so). Newfoundland is awesome to visit, just very boring.

Eydie dont stress the 5lvbs, the night time munchies are hard to conquer.

Amarantha- after 24 hours I `m back to WW there`s no way I could go w/o my carbs, I simply dont feel healthy without my apple a day. I seen that DR. P show and it scared me too!

Kaylets to respond to the q of the day, my room is the best! haha...
Zadie K- You can!
Frogger- congrats!
Arabella- get some rest babe!

Hi to Bo beena, wildfire, and everone else!

Jenn

Welcome home, Punkin! To your place and to OUR place.

Eydie, doctors scales always weigh more than ours. You usually have more clothes on, it's later in the day, etc., etc. Go by your scale to measure losses and don't let a few pounds off bum you out. You're a QUEEN, remember. I love it when we're all Queens. Think I must remember that tomorrow.

Rest up, Wood Nymph. Thou art most deserving after all they hard work. As is Zadie! Hope much good comes from your neighborhood watch this evening.

Golly gee whizzers, Frogger! First to meet the LDG! Congrats!

Empress, I don't think my missing post ever made it onto the thread. I am capable of losing things in so many ways.

That's progress, Jenn. Now you know that Atkins isn't for you. I'd miss my fruits/vegies too. Don't feel comfortable with much fat any more either.

What a scare with your friend, Kaylets! I did mess up w/dh's eyedrops the other day. Distracted fits the bill.

Caught the very end bit of Dr. Phil. Looked like I would have liked to see the whole show.

Did well yesterday. Really happy. Not bad today either but still need some exercise. Did get to see "Seabiscuit" this afternoon. Liked it a lot. Ate out this evening, brought half the entree home for lunch. Dh suggested a walk in the park on the way home but I wanted to get food to fridge so will try to talk him into a neighborhood walk when I quit typing. So I guess I'll do just that.

Just figured out I could biologically be Kaylet's Mom too but glad I didn't start out that young.

Good Morning, Lovelies!
 

POURING rain here :rain: and still dark at 6:15.

DH has opted to go back to sleep instead of going to the gym at 6:30 as per schedule. I feel better for having taken it easy yesterday. I have to remember that I can only push myself so hard, and when my body says "enough" that it really is enough, and will be counter-productive if I push harder. I hate having days where I don't feel energetic enough to want to do anything. Such a waste!

Re: aura (bear with me if I'm going back a few days!) - http://www.seventeen.com/reallife/re...844819-1-0-984 I decided to look up directions for seeing your aura and checked it out. The color I saw ranged from a deep, green-tinged blue to indigo. Cool!

Jenn, where are you in NFLD? (And Labrador, as they say now, but that seems to make it so geographically unspecific!) I lived in Gander for a year. I LOVE NFLD; it has such a fantastic, wild spirit. I hope to go back again some day. Did you know that our beloved Wildfire here is :queen: of Cape Breton? We have a real Atlantic provinces contingency :)

Wildfire, all quiet on the homefront? Ahhhhhhhhh! DH and I are planning a 3-day hiking trip to Fundy Nat. Park on the Labor Day weekend. It will be nice to be by ourselves for a bit :D

Zadie, a big WOOOHOOO for getting through the exam! Hope you have a windfall and don't have to be so careful of your $. Poverty sucks, as I know from experience. I was a single mom/waitress for years. I remember vowing to eat lentils and rice when times got hard (hmmmm.... I used to be slender, though, didn't I :chin: )

Anagram, I do perceive you as ageless. Which is the territory I'm hoping to move into now, too :D I find it interesting the way some people seem to project a certain age (not necessarily their own, though), and others don't. I'm quite often surprised at the ages of my online friends.

Cerise, I'm enjoying your new surroundings! Seattle always seems like a lovely spot. Going back a bit, you mentioned Barbara Kingsolver. Love her! I read "Prodigal Summer" a while back. I think it was my favorite. Who else do you like (always looking for new reading excitement!)?

:queen: Eydie, what a good idea! I intend to pursue my regal nature today! I thought when I saw your idea yesterday that, were I a queen, I would just have the attendants fluff up the pillows and feather bed, and settle in with a good novel until I drifted off. :yawn:

Frogger, WTG on meeting LDG! Yay for you! :balloons:

Kaylets, my favorite room in my house is the dining room, because it's the one that is closest to being "done." We bought a house that needed a lot of cosmetic work (linoleum fastened down with duct tape, 30-year-old dog smelly carpets -- pink shag, blue shag :eek: ) The dining room had peeling indeterminate-colored wallpaper which we stripped and then painted the room a very soft yellow. There's a butler's pantry at the back, with a nice window with stained glass and built-in china cabinets on either side. I have a collection of soft green-blue glass objets displayed in the window on the side wall. And we've inherited MIL's dining room table and chairs and china cabinet. So, along with art work and pretty blue and white Delft plates, it makes for a nice room. Now that I think of it though, the hardwood floor needs refinishing :rolleyes:

Amarantha, I know that there are places that can get the data off those discs. I hate to think of a whole novel written and just going to waste! Have you tried searching on the Internet? Congrats on being so close to LDG, too! :D

Punkin, great to see you back! And don't you look FAAAAABULOUS!!! :cb: :cb:
Bet your new duds on your newly trimmed bod get you a lot of compliments! You're doing fantastic!

To one and all, mentioned or unmentioned: Let's make this a great day! Love to all!

Wonderful Me Wednesday!
 

Wonderful Me Wednesday!
***************************
To everyone:

YOU ARE THE BEST. From me to you, YOU ARE THE BEST.
I am inspired by nearly every post, just to share in your experience gives me perspective, understanding and broadens my horizons.
Thanks for your sharing your lives ....I hope I can return the favor!
*****************************

As for the friend I mentioned yesterday, she is a little wobbly but will be fine.

==============================
Today's thought is:
"Motivation is like bathing, that's why we recommend it daily."
---Zig Ziglar

Question of the day:
"Do famous people have a responsibility to be good role models?"
--Table Topicss
================================

Really running late-- have got to go.
Take care all!
Its Wonderful Me Wednesday...no matter what happens, I am going to talk to myself like I was talking to the boss! ( and I talk very nicely to them!)

Good morning, Regal Personages. Should be a nice one here.

Thank you for the "ageless", Wood Nymph! It's truly how I feel. The 16 yr old is still in there trying to work it all out. A Petrina Pan? And we all should remember to give ouselves those leisurely days occasionally.

Fave room - the sanity saving patio if you can call it a "room".
Second - the family room/den. We've spent so many good hours there. And though it's small, when all are here we tend to crowd iin there and leave the living room isolated. Third - dining room where my computer is in an armoire that I can close off when needed - but doors are usually wide open. Blue rug, chinoiserie(?) wall paper, mahogany furniture, light blue drapes over white lace sheers, framed paintings of my kids and my favorite decoration - piles of papers that need "something" done, read, sorted, thrown out. But orderly.

I think we all need to be good role models - each in our own way. Sure it's important for "famous" people because they probably influence more for better or worse. But we each in our own lives influence others and by simply being the best that we can be we are being good role models. Many of the role models in my own life were never famous (or rich) but I've learned so much from them whilst still picking and choosing what I thought were their outstanding or admirable qualities. My Queens are all admirable role models.

Well, dh is waiting on the s.s. patio with breakfast and the paper so I will adieu. Breakfast today is Slimfast again, pool on agenda again, trying to get back in the "flow". Should be third good day in a row if all goes well.

I'MHEALTHIER THAN I'VE BEEN IN YEARS!

My $0.02
 

Hello,
Well, national night out was very good. Met most of the neighbors and they are interesting folk. Plus found out the story about the kid infestation. Turns out that someone who rents a house in the next block over has a sister who lives in Chicago who wanted her kids out of the city for the summer. Four kids. Plus their friends. So eight kids. With almost no supervision and nothing to do arround here. Well, they drove the whole neighborhood nuts and then were sent back to Chicago becuase they drover their aunt nuts too. And the landlord who did not know they were here till he started to get complaints.

Doing well with the food thing.

QOD: Yes. If you do not want to live an anonymous life you must face the fact that people will emulate you. And for people who are famous, which is a choice in 99.99% of the cases, there is a responsibility to be someone who is worth emulating.

Yo! Only missed one day but I can't see all the posts to answer because the stupid privacy software, which I don't feel like disabling because it DOES work, obviously, so after reading I'm just responding to what I remember and hope that's ok! :write: Wanted to see how long of a freight train sentence I could construct there! :write: :s:

Wood Nymph, I've asked around about getting that disk open, but everyone pleads inability! :) It actually was a good novel. I got several really long responses from publishers, more personalized comments than in the usual rejection letter. Too bad I'm far too intellectually lazy and burnt-out with writing to ever consider rewriting it. I just want to be a dietician! :)

Kaylets: Thanks for the aura link. I'm going to try it in a bit! Re the two QODs, I guess my favorite room is the computer/office room, unless I'm working at home and then my fav is the living room! :) Can't see the question about the role models, but do think it would be great to be one. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery! :)

Re taking medicine, once (a long time ago when I was much stupider) I had dental surgery and as the night wore on the pain kept getting worse and worse and I thought, wow, those pain pills aren't working at all, so judgement keep going down and I took some more and the pain kept getting worse and the judgement keep getting worse because by then I was in terrible pain and hadn't had any sleep and was just lying there in the dark, so took more pain pills, which could have really been a disaster because they could have killed me, EXCEPT, I wasn't taking the pain pills, I was taking the antibiotics. So by morning, I was still alive and in terrible pain and had taken ALL the antibiotics that were supposed to last seven days. Moral being, don't put two bottles of pills beside the bed at night and take them in the dark. In fact, don't put bottles of pills by the bed and take them in the dark at all. Always get up and go to medicine closet and turn on the light and look at the bottle AND only take the recommended dose even if you think it's not working! ALWAYS!

Eydie: Yes, it was sad about the woman who wouldn't sit with her family to eat because she was "unworthy" ... that show troubled me because as I said, I actually weigh and measure everything, not to mention logging it into my new software program or writing it on paper for logging later. But like you, I do it because I feel it's just the best way to stay in control and avoid sabotaging my goals ... I hesitate to say that word, Dr. P, but for me this is not a negative ... I am not suffering because of it ... I am not feeling "unworthy" ... I am not forcing small children to eat that way and I am not depriving myself of the pleasure of food ... for me, it's just fun and enlightening to "make the connection" between what I am eating and what I weigh and to realize that small manipulations have and are making so much difference. I would not have lost 100 pounds by not weighing, measuring and counting. It would not have happened.

Hmmm. Why am I feeling the need to justify this to Dr. P, who doesn't care or know me? :s: But I have often been told I'm obsessed ... usually by people who could afford to lose a few pounds!!! :s:

Ok, rambling. Have a whole agenda. Gotta go!!!

:wave:

Addendum: Ok, I see the QOD! This is actually a topic (among the zillions) that I mention a lot to people and they roll their eyes in a "there she goes" fashion ...

IMO, people who are "famous" per se don't have any obligation to be role models, BUT I have a strong belief that society should or must hold certain people up to a higher standard of behavior and ethical judgement. These are the people in positions of power (such as the president, judges, police officers) and people who lead others (such as teachers, the clergy, physicians, counselors, etc.) ... an overlapping category contains people who hold their positions by dint of professing sets of moral, ethical or spiritual values that seemingly place them in a light of superiority over others.

Another category might be people who by simple virtue of their jobs influence events, collective values and simply what people pay attention to on a given day. That category would include members of the media, writers, journalists, tv anchormen, editors, photographers, etc., as well as the corporate giants who act as gatekeepers to what gets attention on the media. Online bloggers, editors, writers, etc., would also qualify.

Ok, now I really have to go pay bills. :write:

Week's-half-over Wednesday! :cb:

Enjoyed my visit with my gurls immensely last weekend, but I'm looking forward to a quiet, lazy weekend in a couple days.... :faint:

Sat out on mom's covered front porch yesterday afternoon and watched an amazing thunder storm (yes Anagram, a porch is like having another room!). One flash was so close the thunder hit before the flash was gone - and you could feel the hair on your body raise - too close, time to go in! :eek: But it was beautiful to watch.

I made a decision yesterday to make a home gym. I have a spare room that gets used once a year - with a futon, my computer... well, the computer can stay, but the futon's going in the tv room and my elliptical, step, yoga stuff, etc. is all going to find a home in that room. I already have a nice portable stereo to go in there and extra VCR, I just need to find a small tv.... Imagine....exercising without having one of the cats attacking me! :cb:

Amarantha, I wish I would've seen that Dr. P show. Every Sunday I spend a little time and measure out my cereal into 5 Gladware containers for the week. I do the same with salads - I make 5 at once and throw them in the frige (looove Gladware!). I've even been known to put my salad dressing into 5 of those little 2T Tupperware containers... It may seem extreme to some - but it makes my life much simpler and makes healthy eating much less of a choice. Sounds like the lady on Dr. P may be going a little above and beyond - but for people "like us" there's a huge element of control in doing it.

Zadie, I envy your night out. They were talking about how it went in Portland and it sounded like fun. I could stand on my front porch and not even see the houses next to me! :dz:

Kaylets, good to hear that your friend's going to be ok. That's scary! I hope this doesn't sound too harsh, but when you've got different meds in your possession, doesn't it make sense to *read* the lable to make sure you've got the right one before you put it in your body? She's lucky it was a minor "oops".

Frogger reached her goal!!!!! :dance: :cb: :dance: :bubbles: :encore:
I'm 2.8 from mine - riiiiiight behind ya!

Arabella, DH may have a good idea - rest! Sometimes you've just got to give in to what your body's telling you. I've learned if you don't, you end up getting sick - your body's way of saying "sit DOWN already!". :lol: Be a sloth and enjoy!

Jenn, I'd miss my fruits n' veggies too much too. Maybe that's why Atkins never appealed to me. I figure, I didn't get fat eating carrots, why should I cut *them* out??

Q o' the day ~
I agree that we *all* are responsible for being positive role models, but on the question of whether celebrities should be or not, I think they absolutely should. THEY chose to be public figures and they have to assume/accept/expect that someone, whether it's a child or an adult, is going to look to their actions as setting a bar of what's acceptable or not.
The basketball team here, the Portland Trailblazers, has a guy who's been busted for pot 4 TIMES in the last year n' a half (hence the "Jailblazers" nickname the team has). The most recent bust was at an airport where he laughed and admitted the pot was his when it was found at security. He laughed, sends a good message doesn't it? Certain adults are going to be thinking it's funny or cool to do pot, and kids? Oh, I shudder to think of how they think you can do drugs, be famous, rich and get away with breaking the law... :rolleyes:

Ok, offa da :soap:

Toodles for now!

Terri

Hi Sweet Ones!

Amarantha, I've been called obsessed by folks who could use a few pounds too. Speaking of role models, I'd like to be at my goal weight so I can be one!

Punkinseed, I'd love to have a real home gym! Right now, I have the treadmill in the bedroom, dumbells and videos in the living room, weights in the basement. It's a dream to have it all together--maybe someday. Cant wait till you post the pic of your 'temple of fitness'!:)

Anagram, I think of you and your patio of sanity when I'm rushing around in the morning and longing to have my coffee out on the deck. I'll make that my challenge---I'll relax on the deck and report back!;)

Tried something new: a Crenshaw melon---quite yummy! Anybody else tried anything new and healthy and good?

Amarantha, let's resolve to get that novel out of those discs. Do you know what the discs are called? How old are they? I remember some pre-floppy discs. I might even have access to a computer that still has a drive for them, if that's what these are.

Punkin, I sort of have a home gym ... at least a room where I used to workout before joining the gym ... it's a laundry room now, but served me very well and was a wonderful sanctuary. It's a great idea for you to set that up ... you might get a small bench as well ... they aren't expensive and make weights so much easier.

I personally lust for a Bowflex, but that's another story!!! :s:

Arabella, these disks are absolutely unretrievable ... believe me, you've never seen anything like them :) ... can't imagine why I thought they were the wave of the future ... anyway, it doesn't really matter to me as I don't seem to want to be a writer anymore ... I might like to write trashy romance novels with no redeeming social value, though? :chin:

Thanks, guys, for weighing in on the portioning out thing. Dunno why but I get bothered by these things. Punkin, I do the same thing with all my food when I get it home from the store. I weigh and measure everything and mark it and if it's not in my new diet computer program, I create the item so when I eat a serving, I can just log it.

Having this program in my computer has been really nice. It's not perfect (e.g., I can't delete food items from the database and it still lapses into French) but it's really helpful. I love the graphics. I figured out what the strange cabalistic stone graphics is all about (it's called "THE PODIUM") ... it shows you what items made up the bulk of your calories, carbs, proteins, fats ... the numbers come at you on the screen and land on THE PODIUM ... it's wonderfully ritualistic.

Anyway, I'm digressing and need to go. Avanti!

Hello you lovely losers!

I saw that Dr. Phil show, too. I don't think the problem was in the portioning, weighing, and measuring that she was doing. It was in how she was treating herself emotionally and what she was putting her kids through. Can you imagine being so messed up that you didn't feel worthy of sitting at the dinner table with your family, regardless of what you ate, or if you ate at all? Those kids are going to have food obsessions being subjected to what she puts them through. Now, there's nothing wrong with serving healthy portions and foods, but forbidding your child to have more if they are telling you they are still hungry just sets the stage for bingeing when they have control of what they eat, how much, and when. Sad, that her parents and society turn out people with these problems.

Nope, nothing wrong with planning, portioning, weighing, and measuring when you are on a program to lose weight, as we are. We don't force the people in our lives to do the same, or forbid them to eat!

Eydie, what does a crenshaw melon look/taste like?

YAHOOO FROGGER!!! :cb: :bravo: :encore: You've reached your goal for Labor day, with almost a month to spare!

zadie, your neighborhood get-together sounds great! I wish every neighborhood did it. We barely greet each other these days, don't know anyone personally....too much time working and time spent inside or on the back deck. I miss the days I knew my neighbors and people gathered in front yards.

Kaylets, glad your friend has no lasting side effects from the medication mix-up. Scary!

Arabella, yes, very quiet around here! Quite nice, actually. The days are going faster than I'd like, since I'm on vacation, but I guess I can't have it all! When do you get your bike? I rode mine to the market today, and a friend saw me....she said I looked like I dropped right out of a Paris tourist brochure....cropped pants and striped tee, riding along with a fresh baguette and cut flowers in my basket. :lol: I suppose the neighborhood is referring to me as the crazy lady on the red bike....but I don't care! :bubbles:

Ah, laundry calls....hello to all! :wave:

Hello all!

No Punkin, not harsh at all----in fact, I have been suspecting a servere loss in vision but had no proof-- except that floors, lawn, clothing appeared to need "tidying" but then, sometimes, I get sloppy or the grass gets a little unruly. But when someone tells you they just changed to go out, are not mowing this week because it doesnt need to be done-- etc,etc.

I did suggest perhaps keeping the daytime meds on one shelf and the nighttime on another but was told the caps are different colors and she was just distracted or complacent. ( Really used the word complacent to describe herself).

What really annoys me is that so few people know how to deal w/this type of situation-- She waited almost too long-- but kept eating hoping to even out the extra meds. Ate a very big candy bar, etc, and finally a PB and J sandwich which seemed to make a big difference in the long run. Yet, the ER gave her a glucose IV and kept her there nearly 6 hrs monitoring her. And wouldnt let her leave until she ate another meal.
My husband takes type II meds and I have no idea what to do if he takes too much accidentally. I will make it my business to find out.

A QOD a while back brought up a question to me about my collections--
I love books too but for the most part, try to limit what I keep.
I spent almost 2 yrs recollecting vinyl music albums as I regretted selling my original collection. Luckily I have even more than before as many people were dumping. I was able to pick up entire collections of some jazz musicians, etc. In fact, I should bring the stereo in this room and stack them up!
I also collect but very selectively, Precious Moments. The very first was a gift as my wedding cake topper, ( a couple in car that plays music . Its called Roads to Happiness).
The most recent I found yardsaing and it has a girl in curlers standing on scale with a box of candy in her hand and its called "The Spirit is Willing but the Flesh is Weak". In fact, that one is right here in front of the monitor.
I also collect, pins to wear on a collar or blazer. The more unusual, old, distinctive the better.
I have had to stop my obsession for Pfaltzgraff dishes. I love at least 10 of their patterns and the reality of it is, how many dishes can anyone use??
Now, I just try to buy to resell or I have to let something else go to keep a new piece.
Just this past Christmas, I started collecting Fontanni Nativity figures. I have a very special stable that is nearly 3 ft tall by 3 ft wide. I chose the Fonatanni line of figures as they make all walks of life-- as soon as I saw the women shepherds, I said "And why not... " .

As you all know, I collect motivational and uplifting quotes, books,
websites, people, etc.
I also love really clever stories that are funny without putting anyone down.

Ok-- know I'm forgetting something.

-----
Frogger- GOOD FOR YOU!! And look how many excuses you could have made, " things are packed, its crazy now, I'm too busy, tired, etc...." You are doing fantastic.

And Punkin, you too, with everything going on, I know you say your meals are the only thing you feel you can control-- yet, hats off to you, you are really doing it.

I have gone on way too long and dishes are still not in the dishwasher....

Take care all!

Punkin, I love the gladware idea. You're brilliant! :D

Wildfire, a crenshaw melon looks like a rather homely honeydew melon. I just asked dh how he would describe it and he said 'like melons would look 100 years ago, before they became so uniform-looking.' Tasted very sweet too-worth asking around. And I'm sure one would fit perfectly in your bicycle basket!;)

Kaylets, I loved hearing about your collections. It's great to get a peek into your life. [I'm going to look up Fontanni---gotta see the shepherd women!]

Good night, all!

Hello all!

Melons are my favorite too! seasonal fruit really is so good--
a good lesson in enjoying the moment.

Did I ask already if anyone is taking Black Cohosh for PeriMenopausal symptons?? ( and how are you supposed to know when Peri ends and that you are in Menopause anyway??)

I have some symptons and believe I am feeling some "flushing" but since its the summer and also very humid.....its a little hard to pin it down-- I am expecting ( but not hoping) symptons to worsen and would like to know what might help. I am not impressed with the HRT info out there so am looking for "an alternative".

WW's home page says "Watch for Flex points " I'm really excited to see the new program- I am getting really motivated and want to ride the "draft" of the momentum of the Revised Program.
Some folks are upset because program is working well for them and that's great but in my experience, every time WW's revises itself, its for the better. I sure don't miss the fish 5X a week, citrus every morning, liver 1X a week-- not that I don't enjoy any of those things but that is not a good fit for me-- I need choices--

A girlfriend is interested in the South Beach Diet-- shes tried WW's a few times and admires my success yet she is the opposite --- her personality is more "black/white" -- she prefers having a rigid program. I might be able to do that for a few weeks but then would BINGE on every thing I could lay my hands on. I need VARIETY< CHOICES< SATISFACTION<.

I gave up my "No coffee " experiment. Dh quit a week b/4 I did.
I wastn losing any faster and also had a horrid sinus headache last weekend ( most of you lived thru it w/ me) and finally remembered that caffiene if in a lot of the medications. And it worked. So now I'm back to two cups a day and am trying another over the counter sinus medication and that loud THUMPING you've been hearing ( from the front of my face) is GONE! What a difference!


*******
Today's thought is:
"Every Exit is an Entry somewhere else"
---Tom Stoppard

Question of the day :
"What is your favorite evening entertainment?"
--Table Topics
**********


I'm healthier than I've been in years and its really starting to show! ( Thanks for the reminder Anagram!)

Take care!

Enough with the giant Atkins ad already! I know the Chicks need them for revenue, but didn't I see Suzanne say somewhere that you only get them a couple of times per user? I get them EVERY time I come here, on EVERY page load.

I got the cutest birthday card this morning from a website I subscribe to. This quote was on it (the card was full of singing cats) and I immediately thought it was something I had to share with you all, as it applies to us!

"Would you tell me,please, which way I ought to go from here?"

"That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat.

"I don't much care where --" said Alice.

"Then it doesn't matter which way you go," said the Cat.

"--so long as I get somewhere," Alice added as an explanation.

"Oh, you're sure to do that," said the Cat, "if you only walk long enough."

~ Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland


Eydie, next time I'm in the grocery store, I'm going to look for a Crenshaw melon! I do get tired of canteloupe, and although I do eat honeydew melon, it isn't my favorite. Perhaps the Crenshaw will be just right!

Kaylets, can't help you on the Black Cohash. I'm not at that stage yet! Two cups of coffee a day surely won't hurt. I think it's the people who have 10 or so that need to cut back. Two sounds like moderation to me!

Favorite evening entertainment is watching movies at home, which we do every weekend. I prefer my couch, chenille blanket, soft pillows, and light popcorn to a crowded theatre where people eat like pigs (really, have you HEARD some of them???) and popcorn drenched in fat and salt.

Kettle is boiling...tea anyone?

Yo! In brevity mode big time, so ... :s: :s: :s: :gossip: :gossip: :gossip: :cb:

Arabella, yup, the trashy novel thing has merit!!! I may just do it! :cb:

Kaylets, I just sort of wish WW would come up with a non-points option so calorie counters like me could join their groups!!! :s: I just can't deal with the points system ... tried, failed. It seems artificial to me, as I will always hold that the calorie is the unit of measurement that COUNTS :s: in weight issues ... it's simple physics to me!! :)

Hope the above statement doesn't offend anyone ... no disparagement meant of WW ... I like the focus of that organization and would love to participate with them, but they only have the one program!!1

QOD: Mostly my fav evening entertainment is working, but if it were not, I'd say reading! :)

Gotta go post on the 21-dayer and then outta here!! Yowza!

Happy Friday eve!

Fair warning.... I'm feeling verbose this morning! :gossip:

Yet another thunderstorm last night, got about 4 1/2 hours of sleep. That made 3 nights in a row - and they expect more today. Sheesh! Hard to sleep with all that flash n' boom going on!

Amarantha, a bench is an *excellent* idea! I used to have one in my past life - ex and I sold it for some unknown reason - probably to make more room for motorcycle parts... :dz: I'll have to keep an eye open for a deal!

Wildfire, love the Alice in Wonderland quote. You're right, it applies - we're bound to get somewhere if we keep going!

Kaylets, I agree, the accident with your friend is a good sign that her vision could be to blame. I hope she's receptive to help, God forbid this happen again.
Lovin' the idea of women shepherds in a nativity too!
About your caffeine - it's not just a breakfast beverage, it's a damned good drug. When I was going through my cluster headache episode in '99 and morphine didn't work, Mountain Dew soda would sometimes take some of the sharpness out of the pain. It's very, very high in caffeine - they also were going to prescribe Caffergot if I ever go out of remission - it's some sort of mega-caffeine type pill used with CH and migraine. I don't think your 2 cups a day is extreme - I know someone who drinks ONLY coffee - day in, day out, exclusively. Ick.

Eydie, brilliant? Moi? Nah, I'd almost say it's laziness! Easier to do it all on Sunday afternoon in 30 minutes than make a salad every day of the week after work - that would never happen! But thanks for thinking it's a smart idea! :encore:

Arabella, funny how menopause works. My mom had a total hysterectomy in '91 and was put on HRT (a very small dose). When the breast cancer stuff hit the fan, until they could find out what was feeding the cancer they took her off the estrogen and would you believe it - no symptoms of menopause! Nothing. Bizarre.... I hope I have it so hard when my time comes!

Ya wanna know about da' clothes? Ok, in a nutshell:
First I have to tell ya about the amazing jeans Avenue has that have stretchy sweat pants-type material around just the waist. I was able to get the smallest size to better fit my non-existant butt (not bragging - I have FBS - flat butt syndrome) and still be able to stretch the top to button around my still shrinking mid-section. Usually to fit me around the middle, my butt ends up baggy!
I got 2 pairs of these in regular jeans, 1 pair in jean capris. Then, there's the tan cargo skirt and long black denim skirt, flared at the knee (thankful for my 5' 6 1/2 height with these!). I also got a pair of dark brown denim-type material leggings. Then, 2 nylon fitted eastern Indian lookin' tops - feel like you're only wearing a bra when you have them on! :s: AND 2 short sleeve shirts (green & tan) that go with a pair of capris that I drove to a 2nd store to buy :devil: and also go with a pair of casual capris that Bo-Beena owns too (we could dress as twins!).
The bestest outfit is a fitted burgundy/wine colored crinkle shirt, long sleeved - I look like Elvira when I wear it with the black skirt. Then a couple other tops, a purpley-wine colored henley type 3/4 sleeve shirt and another that's green/dark orange/beige.
And - almost everything goes with everything! Perfection! Take a bow Bo-Beena - my shopper/helper! :encore: I think that's it :chin: (like that's not enough????)

Looking forward to Weight Watcher's tweaks. I'll probably sneak in on a meeting in a couple weeks to see what's up. I enjoy the changes, but if I don't like what they've done I'll stick with what I'm doing now. :yes:

Enough babbling!

Terri

Hello,
So today I am atempting a little domestic goddess time. My house is so out of control since both my boyfriend and I were studying all summer and uniquely lazy about housework stuff. So now the house has reached critical crap mass and I have decided to deal with it to avoid insanity. Starting with the bathroom becuase it is small, then the kitchen becuase it is necesary and then the world (insert maniacal laugh).

Food thing is going ok. Went to the movies yesterday and ended up eating some junk, but at least it was junk in moderation. They should sell carrots or something at the snack counter for those of us who do not want to eat chocolate covered lard. At any rate, if I can get though the birthday party that I am going to tonight without totally caving then all is well with the world.

Amarantha - I also calorie count and could never make the points thing work for me. Maybe it is just a little too much magic becuase there are calories and fat and fiber and then WW makes it into this number that I do not know where it actually comes from. I like the calories becuase it is one number and I can get it from looking on the package or in my little book. I figure that people who do WW feel the same thing with their points and it seems to work really well for some people. I am just not one of those people.

Re: menopause
After my surgery I was on HRT (just estrogen becuase you only need progesterian if you still have ovaries), but I went off after about six months becuase I just did not feel like thaking it any more. I have some hot flashes, but for me the real killer is the night sweats (which I had even on HRT). They went away in about a year. So not so bad. If you do not want to do the HRT thing, there are some natural sources of estrogen like compounds such as in soy. The biggest thing is to take your calcium becuase your body will stop absorbing it as well when you no longer have estrogen in your system. I was really bad about remembering to take it for a while, but now I take between 1500 and 2000 mg a day.

At any rate, my duties as domestic goddess await.

Yo! I'm confused because I can't find Kaylet's reference to female shepherds, but anyway that IS a good idea! I won't go further with this, but probably you can guess where I'd really like to take this discussion ... :)

Punkin: Yard sales, yard sales, yard sales ... they ALWAYS seem to have weight benches ... I think a lot of people buy them and never use them, but of course WE are not like that ...

Zadie: If you run out of places to clean, you could come over to my house ... just head south a bit, then west ... bring lots of water ...

Zadie: I totally agree on the calorie counting thing ... I just like the one number! Simple, basic, adheres to the laws of physics! :)

Gotta go. Gonna buy new gym clothes as the old ones are baggy. Gotta work tonight so need to avoid the couch syndrome.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR WILDFIRE!!!:D :hb: :queen: :hat: :encore:

Doing anything crazy today, O Goddess of the Red Retro Bike?

Happy Birthday, Wildfire!
 

Hope you have a fabulous day, :queen: of Cape Breton, and all good things in the year to come!

:hb: :bravo: :gift: :flow1: :grouphug: :goodvibes :wizard: :balloons: :lucky::encore: :sunny: :genie: :cloud9:

Hello, my darlings!
 

I got a job!!!:smug: :cb: :smug: :cb: Yes, after only two weeks of sweating over being unemployed, one of the temp. agencies I signed up with sent me out.

I'm a temp-to-hire (which means they'll hire you eventually if they like you and still need you) at a local investment firm. I'm part of a 6-person (counting me!!) support staff that serves about 20 people. I think they really like me and after the 3rd day, signs are good that I'll stay on. Ramon's still looking. Summer's a lousy time for an art framer to be looking for work. Slump season for framing shops. :halfempty

Here's the Grrrreat part: I can walk to work!! It's a tall office building downtown (I live on the fringes of downtown), about 1.5 miles from my apartment. I get to walk waaaay downhill TO work, then aaaaall the way back up the hill (very steep) to get home. A hill that lasts about a mile. I haven't blacked out yet...:faint: It's quite a climb. I'm jazzed, though, because that's like 45 minutes of walking every week day! I am SO going to melt away. I walk in the middle of the hustle and bustle of downtown, zooming, honking cars, people trotting to reach their bus on time, powersuits and cell-phone graftees hurrying here and there. I'm in heaven.:cloud9: They have a lunch room, Tazo teas, coffee, filtered water, clean workstations - luxury, from someone who's had to work jobs in dirty warehouse offices for so long. And everyone's NICE! No racial labels, jokes that demean women and homosexuals, snide remarks. This job is a dream come true. :genie: Thanks for your good thoughts, loves.

Arabella, I LOVE Barbara Kingsolver. She makes me feel such strength in the beauty and frailty of humans. So much compassion and understanding in her work. Have you read her essays, "High Tide In Tucson"?

I also love Wally Lamb for nearly the same reasons, and my all-time favorite fantasy writer is Robin McKinley. She's wry, down-to-earth, and her dialogue is top-notch. You may have noticed that a common problem in fantasy especially is shallow characters and facile dialogue. She blows that out of the water.

I had a bad day yesterday, too! I was SO tired from my walk home from work that I had two soy dogs, a WHOLE package of Ramen soup and a bowl of premium ice cream. :ink: A GREAT cure for fatigue.

Anagram, Chinoiserie? You're the coolest person on the planet.

QOD: my favorite evening entertainment is going out to eat (or anything, really) with Ramon and my brother, Nate and his wife, Elisabeth. They are the 3 most fun people on earth.

Good for you, Kaylets, on finding peace with your coffee. It's important. I did the same thing a while back, going from total abstinence to having one cup in the morning. It's a great picker-upper at work, and a treat on the weekend, when I can make myself a pot of French-pressed. Lovely ceremony in the mornings.

Jenn, I didn't like the Adkins idea even before I was a vegetarian! Now that I am one, it's a non-issue.

Amarantha, you've almost got me convinced to go back to calorie-counting. I did it for a while last year with great success, but broke loose after a while and gained all the weight back. Couldn't stand the....whole thing, you know? Deprivation, portioning. Wish I were more of a control freak. Still, you've lost 100lb, and if you say you wouldn't have done it without the regimen, than I'm sure as **** going to listen to what you say. Drat! Hate it but think I have to do it...:rolleyes:

WW also didn't do it for me. My issue was spending the money, honestly. But I enjoyed it OK. Again, though, the portioning and counting got to me eventually and I staged a coup against my WW scale and ate myself into oblivion. :cbg:

Qu'est que c'est? Ah, oui, c'est Wildfire sur sa nouveau bicyclette! Avec du pain et des fleurs. Quelle jolie!!! Don't even go there, Punkin. I know my French ain't what it used to be...

I wish I could have seen you with your bike anfd your baguette and flowers, darling. What a picture you must have made! And happy birthday to you. :gift:

OK, dears. Have a marvelous day!

P.S. Tomorrow's Ramon's and my fifth anniversary. I still loooove him, love him, love him!!!!!

Thanks Eydie, Arabella, and Cerise!

I did my favorite thing today...shop! Bought fabric to make drapes for my living room. Bargain :queen: that I am, I got it at 75% off, so what would have cost $400.00 only cost $100.00! :cp: BIG window! Now I have to get sewing.

Hubby bought me lovely 14k gold earrings, and we had Swiss Chalet and watched a movie, Bringing Down the House. It was hilarious!

Cerise, CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Your new job sounds terrific! I hope they'll keep you on full-time! Je comprende ton francais, pas de probleme...cependant, mon est un peu rubigineux! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to you and Ramon! :hat:

Punkin, sounds like you and BoBeena had a blast shopping! Quite the wardrobe you have now! How is your Mom doing?

Arabella, you deserve a vacation! Pack your stuff and head out to Cavendish to that little private beach across the road from Cavendish Country Inn and Cottages...the footpath that runs though the field takes you to it....and relax and listen to waves. I'm there in spirit just about every day, and would love to have your company!

zadie, how did the cleaning go?

Well, I'm off to answer a few e-mails and toddle off to bed. See you in the morning!

Did someone say Tucson? :df:

Mais oui, Cerise, calorie counting is the only thing that works for me! I did have some success with points last year, but I realized it was because my calories were low ... but we are all different ... some people just don't like to weigh and measure ... I thrive on it ... it's when I DON'T count calories that I start gaining again ... and BTW, CONGRATS on your job ... sounds like you really like it! :bravo:

Wildfire: How lovely this Cavendish sounds ... I wish I were there and it were fall and the leaves were turning red, yellow and orange (which I presume they do there).

Beam me up, Scotty! :balloons:

Flyby only as I SHOULD be in bed after long day trekking to nursing home. Actually dh insisted on going along and on driving or it would have been worse. But I am tired. So enjoyed reading all your posts and would love to comment but can't keep my eyes open.

Do have to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO WILDFIRE - long may she reign as :queen: of Cape Breton. Cavandish sounds so marvelous to me right now too.

Hello all!

Count me in too! I'm ready for any type of break - let's go!

Happy Belated Wildfire! I need my sewing machine tuned up and not even sure if its worth the tune up or just needs to be replaced.
I need to make slipcovers -- And Trading Rooms is making me think its not as complicated as I originally thought.

So, I was wondering if we could do a Round Robin Novel. Just for fun. Each person would pick up where the other left off--
and of course, our heroines would be mindful of their health,.. etc.


Cerise-- I am so glad you found a job! And that you are so excited about it is even better!!
Yes, offices are nicer than warehouses- Be careful though-- sitting all day can be deadly--

Got to go -- One of the beagles is trying to wake up the neighbors--


**********
Thought of the day :

"If you can't hear opportunity knocking,
try another door."
--Unknown

Question of the day :

"What qualifies a person as "old" ?
--Table Topics

***********

Take care!

Healthier than I've been in years and its really SHOWING!

Hmmm. I keep trying to go back to bed but just keep typing. Very bad headache, maybe I'll just stay up now that I'm awake, though!!!

Wildfire, if I didn't wish you :hb: then here's a belated banana from me as well!!! :cb: Have two!!! :cb: :cb: It's so great having you on the 21-day challenge with me!!! You're doing super! :dancer;

What qualifies a person as old? Well, you'd have to ask somebody older than me! :) I refuse to be classified according to age and I will NEVER define myself as an old person.

Later, gators! :jig:

fly by postie!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO WILDFIRE!!!!!!!!

Cerise-Great news on the job (and the subsiquent daily walk!) Good going girlie!

Finally got the inlaws stuff out of the house, I can now feel 'at home'

I'll post later!

Vacation Friday
 

I'm back, but still on vacation.

QOD...wisdom. Humanity....their life experiences?
Some people are "old" by definition because they act old...fuddy duddy, you know? I've met "old" teenagers. I guess my first response was to what we know...old doesn't necessarily mean wise....I've met some stupid people....I guess old is not adaptable?

Now that my brain is really snarled for the day :) guess I'll just mosey on. Thanks Kaylets....I needed an intellectual boost!;)

Yea Cerise! Employment is always good....exercise with employment is even better!

Belated b-day wishes to Wildfire :goodvibes :hat:

Ceara

It was a dark and stormy night ...
 

Ok, Kaylets, I just saw your Round Robin idea and I think it would be fun! Mostly writing is a job to me, one I no longer like, but the Round Robin novels are a blast ... since you proposed the idea, :queen: Kaylets, I'd say the mantle falls to thee to start the ball rolling!!!

Can we agree to a moral hold harmless clause in case some of our brilliant ideas accidentally end up in our future bestselling trashy novels? :s:

Hello, hello!
 

I have had a couple of not-so-good days, but seem to be back on track today. Have at least exercised throughout, though (where's the "patting self on back" smiley?) DH is fasting over the weekend in prep for a colonoscopy and I'm going to do something in sympathy (not cook, for one thing :lol: ). Thinking of maybe all veg? And then looking at something like SBD come Monday. I could stand a bit of a jump-start.

Amarantha, a "moral hold harmless clause" seems like a very good idea. LOL! One of my sisters (also a writer) and I are constantly calling dibs on happenings within the family. But we always end up calling it a race - whoever uses it first owns it!

Ceara, welcome back! I like your answer to the "old" question. Not adaptable seems to be right. Isn't one of the major rules of the universe "Change, or die"?

Wildfire, thanks for the Alice quote. Lovely! I don't know the beach you mentioned but I will definitely seek it out!

Cerise, a big congrats on your new job. YAY for you! I love hearing how well things are going for you now - you so richly deserve it!

Kaylets, I have to make slipcovers too! My only problem is DH doesn't have faith in my tailoring talent. And I KNOW these things are easy enough that I could make them without a pattern :yes: However, since patterns exist for them, I may seek one out. Buy the fabric and pattern, maybe make the slipcovers when he's out of town :s: Or, I suppose I could get a tailor to make them up, but I'd just as soon do it myself.

We have some Surefit ones that I've never been happy with - the fabric's flimsy, they never stay put. Constant source of annoyance! I'll have to take DH to the fabric store to select the stuff for them. He's one of those husbands that likes to be involved in decorating issues :rolleyes: I prefer the ones that just consider that my province!

Punkin, sounds like you and Bo-Beena made a great haul! Bet you feel some cool in your new duds! I must go get some my own self, even tho 'tis not because I've lost a great whack of poundage :rolleyes:

You're right, menopause is a funny thing. I think my hormones are all messed up. This past week was so much like PMS -- depressed, bingey. I even had a couple of zits. But no period :shrug:

Zadie, my house is sorely in need of a major cleaning, too. One of these days, I swear...

Frogger, HOOORAAAY!!! In-laws gone -- now you can REALLY enjoy your new house :cb:

Okay, now I really must get some work done while DGS sleeps the sleep of the innocent! Happy weekend, All! :love:

Happy Friday! :cb: :bubbles: :hat:

And a most happy belated birthday to our Wildfire! :cheers: :hb:

Reeeeally tired this morning. I have some work stress going on and last night was the first night I wasn't feeling anxious, stressed, worried, etc. and there were no thunderstorms - so I slept like the dead. Looking forward to a lazy weekend...

Zadie, too bad I'm not closer. I'm one of those freaky people who enjoys cleaning. I'm actually looking forward to cleaning house tonight - it hasn't been done in 2 weeks!

Amarantha, ok, here's where the weird part of me comes in. Sweat - if anyone's sweat on it I'm not touching it. Maybe it's from the years as a massage therapist where I *had* to touch sweat, but ew, no. I'd rather spend the extra money and get a non-sweated on bench. I guess this also explains me aversion to gyms??? :snooty:

Cerise, :cheers: Congrats on the dream job! Sounds lovely, and all that walking? I bet within a month you'll be running up that hill! Happy 5th anniversary to you and Ramon, have a great weekend together :love:

Kaylets, the round robin novel sounds like fun - but I'd watch Eydie, I've seen what she reads! :o :devil: ;)

:wave: Frogger!

Gotta scoot!

Terri

Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou for all the birthday wishes!

I've had the most frustrating morning! I was off at 10am to drive to the next city (Hamilton) to visit the coworker and his wife who is in the burn unit. I got directions from the hospital's own website....and they must be for people who actually live IN the city, and are not approaching from the highway OUTSIDE the city! There I am, driving along watching for an exit that doesn't exist! :mad: I ended up on a stretch of highway that had no exits to make a turn around and before you know it, I was in Brantford! (WAAAAAY out of the way!) Finally I turned around and drove the 40 or so kilometres back to Hamilton....then got lost in the city for almost two hours. In DH's car that has no air conditioning, in the sun, in 33 degree Celsius heat and humidity. Finally found my way back towards the university and got the heck out of Dodge!!! Maybe I'll try again after I've calmed down and cooled down in a day or two.

She is doing remarkably better, btw. She had skin graft surgery last Friday, was off the ventilator at the beginning of the week, and two days ago was taking fluids and eating popsicles. She is eating solid food again now. Her burns were mostly to her lower body, so luckily her face will not be scarred. Her hands are burned, but she is expected to regain use of them. The worst of the burns are to her lower legs, and she had to have four toes amputated. She'll have to do PT to regain her balance when she is able to walk again. As much pain and recovery she has ahead, she is very lucky to come out of this as she is. I've got people praying for her all over the world through internet contacts, including you girls. Thank you again!

Thinking about going to a weekend-long Scottish Highland Games in a town a couple of hours north of us. One of the bagpipe bands were on a morning news/entertainment show here, and my god they're amazing! I took bagpipe lessons for about a year as a kid, and how I wish I'd continued! It was just SO totally uncool then. Now the pipes bring tears to my eyes because they mean so much about home. Clan Campbell will have representatives at the Games, and I would love to purchase an authentic Campbell Dress kilt. I think it would be very smart with a black turtleneck sweater and my knee-high black dress boots. I just have to talk DH into going with me!

Amarantha, if you ever do get to PEI, pack lots of stuff because you'll never want to leave! I still think we should all meet there someday....and could with enough advance planning....*hint**hint*...anyone game? Would a year be enough advance notice? Yes, you did wish me a happy B-day on the 21 day challenge thread, thank you!

Kaylets, I was ready to finally bury my old sewing machine, but DH cleaned it all up and oiled all the insides, and it works like new again! All the little fibres from the fabric get inside and the moving parts don't move the way they should. He vacuumed it, used a tonne of Q-tips, then squirted sewing machine oil everywhere something moved...et voila...it's working fine again!

A wee bit of advice for those taking the slipcover plunge....buy a pattern. You're dealing with about 20 yards of fabric, and upholstery fabric isn't cheap. If possible, make a mock-up from muslin, even in half-scale if you've never done it before. You don't want to make a mistake on the real fabric!

Arabella, the beach is just 1 km from the main entrance to Cavendish Beach. It's secluded and we only encountered people there once in the week we spent at the Cavendish Country Inn & Cottages. (Lovely cottages!) It was there I fell asleep on the sand listening to the waves crash and fried like a lobster! You can't see it from the road, but if you follow the footpath through the field, you'll come to stairs that lead down.

I'm getting on the cleaning wagon. I did a lot last weekend, but never got around to what I had planned this week. Enjoying being schedule-less far too much!