Hi everyone, sorry lax in posting but had the kids and partner of daughter visiting for the weekend and I took advantage of the labour force and organised a tree/shrub moving, planting party. Had a great time and got lots done in the garden to compliment the new painting job.First day back at work yesterday after two weeks off and I was on my knees by the time I got home. Angel, I am so very sorry you have had this theft happen to you on top of everything else. How bad can some people get? Be sure we will be thinking of you, you must feel it's one thing after another lately. I hope this does not affect your health just as your meds were cutting in again. Jacqui, well done for starting your programme. I don't envy you your snow, we are forecast frost tonight so I enlisted DH's help in getting all the potted stuff into the greenhouse overnight. Willow, I am glad you are sleeping better but sounds like those awkward bosses of yours are doing their best to rattle you with their rules and regs. They obviously don't realise what kind of woman it takes to raise six sons single-handedly!! Don't let the eating or a couple of pounds gain get you down, we have all gained a little along the way of losing, you will get focussed again. That baby story turned me cold. My father always said 'when the mother neglects a child, mother nature seems to cut in and care for it' - or in his case, you and your DIL. Poor little mite. Had to smile at you having Hostas, I have had about six in pots on top of a table in the garden for about 6 years and won't plant them in the garden because slugs and snails will be waiting for them. It's a family joke that mum won't let the babies go. Sheila you big time loser . You must be thrilled to bits but I think you are shipping it over to my scales!! I can imagine your bottom was numb sitting on those "bleachers"? which I presume are benches? I have seen the word in US novels but didn't have a clue what they were till now. I hope your cat scratches are healed now and hope you will forgive me for telling all my family at the weekend how your son triggered it all off with the lamp. The young ones thought it hilarious, probably because it is something they could imagine themselves doing accidentally. Have you found your wedding ring? When DH and I were married about 2 years we were at the theatre and he was bored - he had just bought a brand new car and I think he wanted to drive again. So, we left the theatre and as DH reversed the week old car he ploughed into a low wall which couldn't be seen in the rear view mirror. He was gutted at the damage so on the way home as we passed a small forest, to cheer him up I suggested we drove into the woods and get up to some hanky panky al fresco. It was only afterwards when we tried to drive home we realised the car was bogged down in mud. We had to phone the resuce service to tow us out - no prizes for guessing what they were thinking at that late hour of the night. When we got home I noticed my wedding ring was gone and realised it must have been sucked off in some soft mud I had sat in. I howled my eyes out but a good friend who had a metal detector accompanied us back to the woods the next day - there was a pary of Japanese tourists there - and eventually found it. As the detector was bleeping and our friend presented me with my ring, the tourists all started to clap. I think they thought we had just found a random ring. Talk about a night to remember! Thanks for asking about ALfie, Friday's blood tests showed his creatinine (?) levels are normal though the urea is up but still down on previous tests. In short, he is making a fool of us all and continues to gain weight with the copious amounts of fish guzzled every day. He has to take Fortekor 5 tablet every night (seems it was devised for dogs with heart failure originally) but unless he gets sick, only has to go back in 3 months. He still has renal failure as such and still drinks like a fish but I am so glad we have him longer than the vet thought and thank you for your prayers when he was diagnosed. It's DH's birthday tomorrow and he was bemoaning the fact that he will be 59. I said he was still gorgeous and am thinking of keeping him on as my whimsical plaything!!

Hi Everyone,

Sorry about being absent from the forum for awhile. Just had so many things going on, that I couldn't take time for myself to sit down and visit for a spell.

Our daughter, the one who lives next door to us had her baby Sunday night. She had a little girl, thay named her Danielle. That makes our third grandaughter now. First we had the three grandsons and then a grand daughter and then another grandson and now two grand daughters, seven grandchildren in all . That's enough for awhile, I am starting to get weary and I am not young anymore. I hope Puss won't be dreaming about grandchildren again. Puss will start giving her daughter nightmares.

Charolette, I am truly sorry about you additional bad luck. It is really hard to be strong when crappy stuff keeps happening. Good luck with all you paper work and police stuff. If you get to the point where you need to let it all out , just tell us we will listen.

Jacquie, it is really starting to cool down in Wisconsin, leaves are starting to turn color, soon they will be on the ground covered in snow. We will be back to hibernating again. I have never been to Canada, even though it isn't that too distant. probably about an eight or twelve hour drive. May be someday, when we retire, my husband and I will go there and take that train ride that they advertise on the television. Looks like a scenic thing to do.

Willow, my you have had a lot of things going on with your life over there in Minnesota. I did not know that you had to deal with cancer in your life. I admire your strength. The baby thing has to be really hard. Living across the street and knowing you are helpless to do anything to make that little boys life better is heartbreaking. I would be a nervous wreck all the time. I'll have to figure out what to do with my roses pretty soon, so I don't loose them this winter. I heard on the radio yesterday that you do not cut them back in the fall, only in the spring after you see which canes have died. Sounds like good sense to me. Also, to put swamp grass around the base to keep them frozen all winter. What did you do with that dang rose you were talking about? Did you every get that thing moved? Sounded as though it was a real thorn in your side something like those people in human resources, where you work. I don't know what to tell you to do. God knows we need the insurance, but it has come to the point were the insurance companies are controling our lives. Money talks, doesn't it. I am glad, all the company is gone, it is nice to visit, but is is stress too, worrying if everyone is satisified.
Of course it is obvious, that you like to cook and bake more than I do. I think I got my fill when we were farming full time. Well, please take care of yourself. I hope your sleeping problems go away soon.

Shiela, Losing you wedding rings what a bummer. Losing the weight what a delight. Thanks for the advice, "write it down" you are absolutely correct. I have to give you a lot of credit having your Dad living with you, there are so many people that haven't the patience for that now adays. It use to be that when people got to a point where they couldn't live on their own anymore they would rotate amoung their children's homes for so many weeks out of the year. That is what they used to do around here a few generations back anyway, but it is not so prevelent any more.

Puss, How is everything in merry old England? Foolin around in the back seat of the car, huh you silly girl, I think you have probably read some of those bodice rippers or whatever you called them in your day too What kind of work do you do Puss? It sure was nice of everyone to help you with the yard and garden. I sure could use some help before it gets too cold to be outside. The days are getting shorter now and pretty soon day-light-savings time will be over and I will travel to work in the dark and go home in the dark. I hate that. It doesn't last too long though, once Christmas is over the days start getting longer again. I guess, I had better head for home I want to stop and see how the kids and the new baby are doing.

If I think of anything else to yak about I 'll catch you all later tonight
Take care all of you.

Bluet

I sure hope you're having a good day today.
Mine has been pretty good so far.
First of all, Bluet, CONGRATULATIONS ON THAT NEW GRANDBABY! And it's a little girl too! How wonderful! But, it would have been just as wonderful had she been a boy! I just love babies!!

I still have that rose out there, and I'm going to cut it down as far as I can and hope it dies! I dread tackling it again, but I know I have to.
Have you ever 'tipped' your roses?You just cut them down a bit to take the bulk out, then dig a trench and lay them down on their side and cover them with soil until spring, then uncover them slowly as the ground thaws in the spring.

I have been making a list of rewards for myself if I ever get on the ball and start losing weight , and if I can have a loss every month without any gains, until next June, I'm going to Manitowoc. So, be prepared! I want to see the River Walk again.
You know, it seems like I ALWAYS have a lot going on in my life! ..... And always stressful stuff too. I just must not live right!
As for work, ...... I think I'm getting that taken care of.
Yesterday I contacted the Federal office I needed to use, the US Wage and Hour Referral line, (1-866-487-9243, 8 AM to 5 PM) and they gave me the number to call for my state. I called today on my break and left a message stating what time I'd be done work, and they called just as I drove into my driveway.
The gentleman I talked with said there is NO SUCH THING AS DENYING A FMLA if your physician has completed a form and given certification that you need it.
They also cannot force you to sign anything giving them permission to have contact with your physician. Once you say "no", that's it. It goes no further.
The Employer CAN request that you get a second opinion, but, it can be with a physician of your choice, and at the employers expense, including wages for any time lost from work to keep the appointment. AND, the second opinion physician doesn't have to reveal anything to the employer either except whether he/she concurs with your personal care provider.
And, to top it off, this gentleman was going to call my place of employment and bring them up to date on the laws. He said if he didn't get ahold of them today, he would call them in the next day or two, then he will call me back to let me know that he has talked with them.
He also said it would be illegal for the employer to give me or anyone on an FMLA Dr appointment an unexcused absence, EVER. So, I feel a lot more relieved today.

Charlotte, how very sad for you! My thoughts and prayers are with you. I pray that the law finds the thieves and can get your valuables back for you. I'm right next to positive that the stove manufacturer will have to make whole any losses and pain and suffering caused to you.
Good luck my friend. Will be waiting to hear from you.

Puss, see? The prayers are still going out for Alfie, and it's working! He sounds like a little tuffy!

I never thought of a planting party! Maybe I should have had everyone get out there after that blasted rose bush when they were all home. I guess, if I put my mind to it, I'll get it done, I just dread starting it.

Wish your hubby a Happy Birthday from me, and maybe you can make him forget he's 59 by taking him to the woods again. Only, take off your rings before you go!

Have you ever put egg shells around your Hosta's? They say slugs won't crawl over the sharp edges. I've only had problems with slugs once, a few years ago when we had an exceptionally wet summer. I put roofing shingles around my plants. They still got into my rhubarb though.

I am planning on going to WW tomorrow night, even though I know I've had a big gain. But, what the hey! That's what we all do, all our lives! Very few people are exactly the same weight every day, and I know I'll do this yet! I just need to get to the point where my losses outnumber my gains!

Jacquie, I hope the WW is going well for you, if you have started it. If you haven't, that's ok too. All in good time, and when you're ready.
It has been pretty cool here the last couple of days, and very windy tonight. I suppose you're having even colder temps up there.
I think it's so very beautiful here right now. Wish it could last longer than it does.

Sheila, have you found your ring yet? I hope so.

What has Pop been up to lately? I'm getting to look forward to reports on him too!

I'm having a hard time coming up with 20 things to reward myself with for every 5-lb loss. I've only come up with 10 so far, but, at the rate I'm going, I won't ever have to worry about using them!
Plus, I'd like a couple of bigger rewards at significant loss points.

Sue, are you all adjusted to having your home and life back to normal? It always takes me a couple of days to unwind.

Well, I better get a move on here. Everybody have a wonderful evening!

Congratulations on the new addition to your family, Bluet! Seven grandchildren--wow! Must be a lot of fun when they all get together. Tiring, too, though. I have one granddaughter and watching her for most of a day can be exhausting. I was hoping for another grandkid this year, but my son got laid off so they scrubbed those plans. My son started school so it will be another four or five years before they try for another child or perhaps adopt. I doubt my other son will have children (that's what he says), but never say never. And I certainly don't want my 20 year old daughter to even think of children for a long, long time!

Puss, I read my DH your last paragraph about your DH's birthday. He got quite the chuckle. I was of course laughing uproariously about your escapade with the car. My stomach hurt! Glad your cat is doing okay and has decided he would rather stick around and eat fish. My DH just went to pick up my little dog's ashes. I kept trying to do it, but couldn't bring myself to go to the vet's office. Once I see that box, then it will be real, if you know what I mean.

Charlotte--how awful for you guys! It's so sad that there are such creepy people living near you, people who feel the need to steal an angel collection, for goodness' sake. Does the storage unit have security cameras or anything that might help figure out who did this? I hope you can keep your spirits up after yet another setback. Your attorney better be a good one, or we'll all be coming there and fighting for you!

Shoot, Willow, can they really deny the FMLA based on the fact that you won't sign their form? I hope you were able to talk to someone about this. What a load of patooie!

We're gearing up for my DD's anchors aweigh party. I've got the cake ordered (has a flag, an anchor and a ship on it) and I figure we'll have pizza because I don't want to cook. I know my stepdaughter is coming, and my cousin, but people just don't seem to respond to R.S.V.P. anymore. It's frustrating. We're going out to dinner on Friday night to celebrate her birthday (which is tomorrow, but she's in Idaho visiting friends). I'm trying to plan what to have, and what not to have. I love fish and the restaurant is on the waterfront so I'm assuming there will be lots of fish choices. Hopefully I can get my dad to share a dessert--just got to have dessert when you go out. And a glass of wine. Luckily, I will have saved all my WW flexpoints for that occasion.

It's been so lovely out this week. Sunny days and cool nights. Don't have a lot of energy lately or I'd be out there doing something in the yard because it's perfect weather for that. I have two strong kids around--wish I had some shrubs to move!

Okay, Willow--we posted at the same time! I'm so glad you got the answers about the FMLA and that they were all supporting your position. That's pretty cool that the guy is going to talk to your employer. I hope everything goes well.

I haven't found my ring yet, but I'm still hoping it will appear. Maybe I just need Japanese tourists cheering me on.

Bluet - congratulations on your new Grandaughter, I am so envious! Your post about having 7 grandchildren took me back 22 years when my father came home from work and said he had announced with pride that he was now a grandfather and all the chaps he worked with were saying "Yes, it's great, isn't it, I've got 10" or "I've got 14". Ha ha, not in the same league. He only ever got three but his eldest brother had nine kids and my aunt had to keep a special book for all the birthdays of the grandkids. Dad couldn't have coped with that, he could never remember the ages of his own two kids! Farming full time sounds so good, Bluet, but that's what all the city folks think, I guess. Was it livestock or grain? I bet it was hard work and I wouldn't fancy working in the bad weather or the early mornings and late nights. Still, must have been lovely for your children. I work for the Government in Customs and Excise. I do audits visiting companies and going through their books and stock checking on their international imports/exports making sure they are declaring the right duties etc. I enjoy it, out of the office most of the time, can work from home writing reports etc and meet some lovely people. I also help them understand various ways of importing/exporting where they can save money so it's not all big watchdog stuff. The UK is freezing right now and summer is officially over - it's the equinox or something. Willow, I am so pleased the chap from the US Wage and Hour referral helped sort your company out. It's outrageous that they are not up to date with the legislation. Willow 1 Comany 0 I have tried eggshells for the hostas and beer left in a beer can for slugs and snails. The beer is the better option though only a few slugs actually drink themselves into oblivion. Don't worry about the gain - I am still gorging but know that when DH leaves on Saturday I will get focussed again. FitDay is a must in future. Sheila, what do you plan to do with PDs ashes. It will be a really sad time for you. I don't know what I will do with Alfie when the time comes. I did think of burying him in the back garden at his favourite sun spot but I don't know if that would be a good idea. You must be so proud of your lovely daughter and I am sure you will miss her when she goes. I have never heard of an anchors ahweigh party but what a great idea. I am SO impressed at your resolve over saving points to share a dessert with your DD. (I've just eaten a chocolate eclair cake left over from DHs birthday). You really are on a roll right now and I just hope I can pick up again once DH is not here. I hope your ring turns up but if it doesn't, you have the hand of the fella who placed it on your finger and that's much more precious than any ring. Regards to Jacqui and Sue - I miss your posts. Sue, my son is staying over for a couple of nights because the hospital he is working at is nearer our place than his. I know he would love to talk fish and boats with you, ha ha.

Angel - I saw this and thought of you:

"He knows not his own strength that hath not met adversity"

Ben Jonson's 'Explorata' 1640.

Hope you are feeling ok and not too down or overdoing work at the station.

Hi everybody...just a quick post while breakfast is cooking. Thanks for all the kind things said. It meant a lot to me. It's been a rough year....but we'll make it. As far as the angel collection. They couldn't tell what they were getting. I had cleaned & packed all of them in boxes...also, what was left of my dad's things that survived the fire. I have nothing of his, now. They can't steal my memories, though. There was a lot taken....when I added it up for the police, it came to at least $20,000. I know...bad idea about storage unit....but after the fire, there was no choice. DH just finished a shed, & was going to go get it all. A settlement may replace some things, but not the many things that were sentimental to us. Maybe, with time, my heart will heal....for now, it's broken. Lost some in fire...the rest, deliberately taken. Well, they will pay....maybe not here.

Bluet...congrats on the new grandbaby! They are grand!! I have 11!

Gotta go....all take care. I'll post when I can.

Fatpuss....I just saw your post......thank you.

I am so very tired tonight as I didn't sleep well last night.
Not going to be a very long post, but I wanted to say Hi to all you gals at least. More tomorrow. In the mean time, here's to you all. Hope it perks you up. From my heart.

http://www.wtv-zone.com/rie/unique/Tilt.swf

Hi Everyone,

Willow, sorry you are so tired, wish there was something we could do for you. "Tiltld" was so precious, thank you for sending it to us, it made my day. Well, all I can say is you had better starting losing that weight because I am looking forward to you coming to town. We will have a good time at the River Walk. Too bad we couldn't all meet at the River Walk next year. Wouldn't that be terrific?

My grandson had his tonsils out today and I took a day of vacation and took care of his sister. My daughter took the new baby with her to the hospital because she is nursing. I stop to see him tonight, he is home again, same day surgery. He seemed to be ok but he is taking a stronger type of Tylenol. He was whinning because he was hungry and his throat hurt too much to eat anything. Some days are just a losing battle girls, but being women we just keep on fighting the battle.

Another cool day for us. The weather man said more cool days and some rain in the forecast. I know I won't get done everything I wanted to do outdoors, But I think I should at least turn off the pump to our little pond and drain the water out before it freezes. Every year I say this is the last year for that pond, but then I don't give it up. I did not put fish in it this year because, I always struggle with what to do with them when summer is over. One year I put them in the river and last year I gave them to a friend who had hers in an aquariam in her basement.

Yes, we farmed for 30 years and then my husband went back to school to learn electronic technology. when he graduated we sold the cows and just raise your stock for a neighbor now.

We had 45 registered holsteins and 50 young stock for replacements. We grew and harvested all our own crops. Farming is a 24/7 job with a lot of responsibility attached to ones shoulders. Some days I it, and others I am thankful we no longer have a working farm. My husband is the third generation to live in this house and farm the land. Our son was not interested in farming after he moved away from home, so we are still here after 38 years.

Charlotte, hope things are getting better. I was happy that you found time to post.

Puss, sounds like you have a mighty interesting job. Good for you, I'll bet your days just fly by.

Sue, Jacquie I am falling asleep as I type this post. Please foregive me I have to go get ready for bed. Catch you all later.

Bluet

"My heart is warm with the friends I have" Edna St. Vincent Millay

Well, I used to live in Idaho, which is heavily Morman and also farm country so large families are the norm. When you'd read the obituaries, people would have 24 grandchildren or some such amount. You'd have to have a computer program to keep track of birthdays! My dad keeps forgetting my son's name, and my son is living with us. Dad calls him "the other guy" to differentiate my son from my husband who is "that guy." I get a huge kick out of it, actually. Thankfully, he remembers my name.

Bluet, farming always sounds fun in theory, but I know in reality, it's very hard work. It's quite sad to see all the farms disappearing into housing developments. When I lived in Idaho, there was always flak when people in new housing areas would complain about the farm smells from their neighbors next door. I figure if you want to move to the country next door to a pig farm, you'd better be prepared for the smell!

Well, just got back from my weekly weigh-in and I dropped 3 lbs. this week. I'm quite pleased. I'm also on the 100 lb. board here and we have a monthly challenge. My goal this month was to have a perfect score of 4 pts. each day (1 for exercise, 1 for water, and 2 for following your food plan), and I've managed that so far. Only four more days to get through! I never knew how competitive I was, but setting these goals has been really helpful to losing weight. I just have to make it through the next two days (birthday party and going away party).

Was kind of bummed this morning because I've been noticing that I'm experiencing a lot more pain when I exercise. I DO NOT want to stop exercising so I just exercise through it, but it's gotten a lot harder. I pretty much exercise in the morning, then have to rest a lot for the rest of the day, doing a little housework now and again. It ticks me off big time--I get really mad at my body. I force myself to walk my dogs in the afternoon, but we aren't going very far anymore. Luckily, my 16 year old has slowed down a lot (unless she sees a squirrel, then she's a puppy again and pulling with all her might!) and doesn't want to go too far. My MinPin, on the other hand, doesn't like the shorter walks.

Puss, sounds like a great job where you get to meet lots of new people and do different things. One of my favorite jobs was being the volunteer coordinator at an animal shelter. I met new people all the time plus got to work with animals, too. And the people were all animal lovers so we always had something in common.

Well, time to hit the shower and get on with the rest of my day. I've got to get crepe paper, balloons, and paper plates for tomorrow's party.

Hey, Puss, I was reading a Michelle Spring mystery (set in England) and she mentioned something called a "snicket." What is that? Would be funny if that was a misprint--I'd never know!

Hi All!

Sorry I haven't posted for a couple of days. Things have been really hectic here. We have been making arrangements to move my mother into an assisted living complex so the next few weeks will be busy. Needless to say there will be a lot of down-sizing to do with the move !!

The weather here has been beautiful......I guess the snow was just a little teaser. Hopefully it will stay like this for a little while so we can get all the yard work done and the RV put to bed for the winter.

The diet is going quite well!!
I am sticking to WW..... but the water and I aren't getting along too well. I do know the importance of water an any diet but it is hard....any suggestions?
A friend of mine gave me her book on the South Beach Diet so I
will read it to see what it is all about. I do however have trouble with diets that make you give up ALL your carbs. I think moderation works best for me.

Congratulations Bluet on the new grandaughter!! It is so exciting. I have one 6 months old and she is growing so quickly. I just wish she could stay a baby for a little longer.

Charlotte my thoughts are with you. I can just imagine the emotional turmoil you are going through.

Puss, Sheila, Willow and everyone have a good weekend !!

Jacquie.

Is anyone else having withdrawal symptoms? .... Or am I the only wuss on here?

As I'm typing this I'm having an ice cream cone of Butter Pecan Tofutti. Milk free. No butterfat. No cholesterol. 210 calories per 1/2 cup. Made from soy protein but it also has sugar and corn syrup in it. Very tastie! and creamy. Good flavor. I bought a pint of it just to see if I'd like it. I do.

I didn't go to bed until 3:30 this morning, and I was awake again by 7 AM, so I took a little snoozer this afternoon for about an hour. Was THAT ever a weird feeling, sleeping in the middle of the afternoon.
I had whole wheat spaghetti and Ragu "Mama's Meat Sauce" spaghetti sauce for supper tonight. Tasted good. And right now I'm drinking a 20-oz. bottle of Klarbrunn Lemon flavored sparkling water. I like all the flavors they have, and no calories to it.

As for the company I work for, ... I have no doubt they know EXACTLY what the laws are. They do have a legal department, after all. I think they were counting on ME not knowing what the laws are. Anyway, the federal office was playing phone tag with the guy yesterday.

Sheila, I laughed so hard about your Dad not remembering your husband and sons names. I'm glad that your son understands and doesn't get hurt feelings over it.
Congratulations on the 3-pound loss! Geesh, you're doing sooo
good, and I'm not doing anything. But, at least I'm not gaining anymore either.
I hope the pain goes away for you. That's so awful to be trying so hard and have that darned pain to contend with too. Is it all over your body that the pain is, or in a more specific spot? I was just wondering if a TENS unit might help block the pain for you.

Charlotte, a big hug to you. Hope you're feeling in a little higher spirits by now.

Puss, your job sounds so very interesting. Something new every day. You must meet many interesting people.

Bluet, I think it would be a blast for all of us to meet at River Walk.
How is your little grandson doing after his tonsilectomy? Hope he's feeling some better.
I never farmed, as such, but I lived in farm country. We were at the neighbors farm more than at our own home sometimes. We loved it up there, but, we didn't HAVE to do all the work either. We loved helping them, but, when we got tired of it, we went home. My mom and Dad just raised chickens, geese, ducks, and Mom always had a huge garden. Did lots of canning.

Jacquie, I'm glad to hear it's going well on the WW plan. You'll gradually work your way up to the full amount of water. It's hard to do when you haven't been in the habit of drinking the right amount. I had kidney stones and the Urologist told me to gradually start increasing my water intake each day until I was up to a minimum of 2 liters a day. He said to put that amount into several bottles in the fridge, and begin sipping on it in the morning, and keep doing that all day. At first I thought I would pee my pants because it seemed like I had to go every couple of minutes, but, he said that would happen and that it would let up after a while because it takes a while for the bladder to get used to holding that amount. Especially when you're like I was and maybe drank a glass of water a week!
Anyway, he was right, and it did finally settle down, and now I can go a couple of hours in between trips to the bathroom. I usually quit sipping water a couple of hours before bed too.
Does your Mother mind being moved into an assisted living home? It helps a lot if they are willing to go. It's so hard to take care of them by yourself.

I was going to see if my grandson wanted to earn some money this weekend and help me get some raking done in my yard, but, it's been raining. I know it'll need to be raked again too.
I too have a hard time on a restricted diet like Atkins, etc. I like low carb, or mostly protein, but I also love my vegetables, and whole wheat bread.
I still believe the best thing for weight loss or good health is staying active. Of course, healthy eating too. I ordered the book, " FOOD FIGHT" and it should be in Wednesday. It's all about what we already know, ... how the food industry keeps offering us these killer foods, and we keep right on sitting on our a$$es in front of televisions and pc, and now plunk our kids there too as infants, and keep right on eating these fast and easy foods. Now, when I say "we" I don't mean you girls and I, per se. I mean society in general.

There was an article in todays local paper about a man who is a special needs person, and he decided to lose weight this summer, and he decided to keep records of how many times he climbed the ladder and slid down the water slide at the local Aquatic Center. He even kept count of how many steps it was to the top, and how many times each day he went up there. Entered it into a note book journal as soon as he got home every day. At any rate, he lost 30 pounds from June through August. Now, he's going to ride his bike around the bike path every day until it gets too snowy for that, then he's going to go to the YMCA and walk/run around the indoor track there during the winter. He's going to keep track of everything, and then he's going to try to beat his records next year. He said he intends to do this the rest of his life.

Hello to you too Sue!!

I hope I didn't miss anyone. Sorry if I'm not thinking right tonight. That age thing, you know.

Everyone have a good evening. See ya later!

Sheila, I just love your dad! "that guy, and the other guy" and his independence. My uncle in the US came to my mother's before DH and I were married and all the time referred to my now DH as "ol, whats-his-name". Ol-whats-his-name was only 27 and my uncle 51. My brother and I thought it hilarious that he couldn't be bothered remembering DHs name and we still wonder if he can remember it 32 years on, ha ha. I guessed a snicket was an alleyway but looked it up in my dictionary to make sure. It comes from the north of England (my guess is Yorkshire way) and it's the narrow path which runs behind back-to-back small two-up, two-down, terraced rows of houses. It's the lane where you put your garbage bins out for collection and usually have a gate leading off it into a small cobbled yard (not garden) to your back door. Where I come from we call them alleys or the back alley but there are lots of different names for them depending on where you live - see? Tiny country, mass diversity. Another three pound loss???? Hubby's not got all amorous and chashing you round that newly painted house, is he? You have done SO well, Sheila, well done. I hope your pain on exercising is not too bad now. WIllow, withdrawal symptoms?? I am eating like a hog lately and all the wrong stuff. I MUST get back on track when I go back to work tomorrow. DH left yesterday so had a little reshuffle on the car front. I got his (much newer than mine) and son got mine and the drive has got son's for 6 weeks. I can't understand how you can't hack a siesta, Willow. I love them on Saturdays and Sundays and start flagging if I don't get one. I could do with them on Mondays to Fridays though I can't quite see how I could persuade the boss.... Did you have a good time raking with the DGS? The leaves are all falling here now so DH picked a good time to go away. As if I didn't have enough with the badgers, the squirrels are burying their nuts all over the lawn too. I have a big hazelnut tree in the back and they love it. They also go to the toilet from a great height off a tree in my front garden over my car, lovely. Jacqui, my mother is on a waiting list for assisted living at the same place as her sister. She was offered one last week but it is the smallest on the site. She said she would never get her furniture in so we had to explain that the stuff from a three bedroomed house is never going to fit into a one bedroomed place. "oh, yes, I know, but...." I am learning a little now to remember that whatever I say won't matter a jot so am trying to save breath and sanity. I don't like drinking plain water either so I drop some lemon juice into it or a slice of lemon you can buy ready cut etc in a jar. Bluet, I hope your little GS is over his op now. How resourceful of your DH to re-train from farming. You must be proud of him as it's not easy to change careers mid-life. Occasionally in my job I meet people who used to do things totally different to the job they have and I am amazed at the skills people have. Angel, I am glad you seem out of the initial despair, you seem to have some very loving family members to see you through this. When my father died unexpectedly in hospital we had his clothes returned in time after the post-mortem etc but his brand new, expensive shoes were missing and we had to cremate him in his other ones. My mum was upset that someone could steal under such circumstances. My brother and I told her that anyone who could steal from a dead man was never going to prosper, lowest of the low, especially as my dad was such a considerate man, he'd have given them to anyone who didn't have a decent pair of shoes to walk in. What goes around comes around, I think you say. Well, I am having to go back to FitDay tomorrow and knuckle down to this again. I am now 148.5 and was 145.5 in mid-September. I must stop messing around with food. I was looking at an old log book of my weight and the heaviest I ever was was on 4th January 2000 and I weighed 179lb. The lowest I got to was 150LB in February 2001 then it was up and up to 164lb when I joined here. In between those times I kicked the healthy eating so I am determined that this three pound gain I've had for weeks is not the start of the rot again. Regards to absent friends, hope all is well with you.

Hey, Puss, thanks for looking up snicket. Given the context, I thought it was something like that, but wanted to make sure. Man, stealing your dad's shoes--that's low. I like what you guys told your mother, though. Ah, yes, you're learning the lesson that my DH has been finding difficult lately. He's been into arguing with my dad, which just doesn't work. I told my DH to just smile and say, "Probably so" or anything but argue. He'll never win, and why would you care about winning an argument with an 87 year old?

Willow, I, too, have a hard time taking afternoon naps. I occasionally do fall asleep, but it feels too decadent, and I'm afraid I'll wake up too early the next day. Sometimes I feel kind of disoriented if I fall asleep during the day.

Well, the going-away party for my daughter went well. I love Weight Watchers--I ate cake and ice cream and two pieces of pizza and it fit right in to my program. I even ate cake and ice cream again today and still have points left. It's so cool! Saw my cousin's new granddaughter, who was born on July 4. Her son is my daughter's age, and my cousin is only 40 so she's a pretty darn young grandma. The baby was kind of fussy--cried for everone, but mom. I thought the stranger thing didn't happen until much later. Her mom did say that she prefers blonde women, and I'm not. Oh, well. Such a difference from my own granddaughter who only cries when she's ill, and has always been like that. But then again, she's a truly special miracle baby so I'm biased.

Another gorgeous day. We're going to the beach and then to look at some furniture for my son. My DH and I took our dogs for a hike in the "urban wilderness" near our house. We forgot about stinging nettles, though. I haven't been in an urban forest in years so I'd forgotten that there are things like poison oak and stinging nettles right near the trails. Ouch! We had fun, though, and it was a good hour's walk with plenty of sweating. My male dog got very dehydrated, though--lots of stuff for him to lift his leg on! He hit the water bowl the minute he came through the door. Had to tank up in case we go for anymore walks today where his plumbing will be tested.

Hope everyone is having a relaxing, enjoyable Sunday.