Good morning everyone - a little late getting things up and running this week but better late than never.

The weather continues to be the big topic of conversation in Nova Scotia. We seem to be in a wicked pattern - sunny Monday to Wednesday and rain Thursday to Sunday. And it is not warm. I hope this will pass soon and we can revert to something a litte more summer like.

Melissa: Congrats on an excellent loss. You must be thrilled. I'd say your strategy for cutting down on evening munchies is working well. For this week, my goal remains the same - to remain within points. So far in this mini-challenge, I have been doing much better with both water and exercise. I think I may have lost a pound or two, but I'm still way over in points for the week, due for the most part to reckless weekend eating.

lala: Tell us more about SPM. More about the wine, the cheese, the je ne sais quoi. Did you say it was sunny in Halifax when you were here? Must have been a Wednesday....

Domina: How did the murder/mystery go? Was it a play? We're attending a murder/mystery party in two weeks. It's a high school reunion setting, complete with disco clothes, etc. I sorta have my costume ready but haven't given much thought to my character yet.

I started doing ab exercises a few days ago and something must be working because my entire mid-section is in pain.

Hi, Susan. It's just hot here, that's all I can say. Your mystery party sounds like so much fun. Let me know about your character and I could give you some ideas on your characterization.

Our Murder Mystery has been going very well. I'm just the accompanist, but after the third show, I started really feeling comfortable with it. It's funny and the actors are having a ball with it. The audience also takes part which makes it fun.

Melissa, yes, congrats. I need to get on the stick. I'm just enjoying my food too much.

Hi everyone,

I am huge, might be TOM, might be G&Ts, might be French Food, but I am frustrated and very cranky today.

However, I'll give each and everyone of you a high--five for being here.

Its hot here today, we put up our shade thingies today to keep the house cool. I hope it'll work.

More later,

lala

lala: okay, what are shade thingies?

Domina,

We have floor to ceiling windows on the south side of our house. We have these insulated panels with fabric that we put up to both insulate our house against the cold in the winter and to keep the house dark in the summer.

We never use them unless its super cold at night or really hot. The dog and cat hate them since they can't look out.

They are quite lovely though since a friend redid them years ago.

lala

still hot and very muggy. How can you east coasters stand it????


Oh, you have air conditioning

lala

lala: Hot and muggy not a problem in this little section of the east coast. We are in danger of freezing to death in cold drizzle, mostly associated with what others know as "weekends."

domina: It's been a while since I looked at the description of my murder-mystery character, however I think she's a successful realtor, returning to a home town that holds bad memories and perhaps a few secrets (sounds like just about everyone I know).

Even though we're supposed to dress disco-style for the high school reunion theme, I'm thinking about breezing in at the last minute dressed a la Bea Arthur in Golden Girls, breathless and frustrated from all the high-powered deals, power lunches, etc.

Original plans were to have this party in March, but then our host and dear, dear friend passed away. We're all a little apprehensive about this I think - it may still be too early to get through the evening without a complete sobfest. Anyway, if you have any ideas, I'm open to them.

lala: Oh, I know what you are talking about. I forgot you don't have A/C. We couldn't live without it!

Susan, I think your "Bea Arthur" idea for a costume sounds great. Make sure you have your cellphone either in your hand or nearby and carry a folder with house listings or something. Say things such as, "I'm expecting a client to call." and "I hope I can stay; there might be an offer to make tonight." Act harried. It sounds like fun.

I do hope all of you get through it since your friend who died was supposed to host it. That is sad.

Good morning everyone!

We had a great weekend weather-wise; yesterday the rain began again *sigh*

I know my weight will be up today because it's pms/pre-tom week and I generally post a gain. I'm sure part of it is due in part to the pizza and extras I ate while in Chicago. I will admit though that I had fun. Update: Only posted a 1# gain which is good considering. I'm okay with it!


Susan: We seem to have the same type of weather pattern. We get teased with a couple of nice days only to be followed by days of rain.

Lala: I usually keep our curtains closed during the day when it's really hot out and it keeps the house cool. I don't have central a/c but we're looking into it.

Domina: Sounds like you're enjoying being an accompanist for the show.

We're heading into our busy time--our first orientation is this weekend and I'm taking a half-day off on Friday to head to Harrisburg PA for State Finals for my son. Way too much to do and not a whole lot of time!

Hope everyone is doing okay.

Hi everyone. Running off to a meeting but thought I'd pop in first.

I was doing so well with eating, etc., then we had a belated birthday dinner last nite with my sister, complete with wine and dessert. Alcohol always diminishes my judgment and self-control when it comes to food. Not only did I have frozen yogurt for dessert, but cowboy crunch - a yummy treat that my sister brought back from her trip to Calgary. So feeling fat and a bit discouraged this morning, but ready to get back on the wagon.

I think I'll take in Harrison Ford's new movie tonight. Has anyone seen it?

Hi there all,

Gloomy and grey in seattle a rather eeyore like day. However, other than a few phone calls I am dreading to make, I just have to write this little paper for a meeting. Its all there, I just can't get it to gel....

Oh, and run and get my mom's stuff in the mail for an overnight delivery. She just got a wild hair on Monday to go visit her brother and SIL at their summer house in Southern Turkey on Saturday. Good thing her daughter has lots of FF miles, some leverage w/the airlines and a sense of humour. I think she's trying to spread her wings and be independent. I guess I'll be visiting my dad next weekend.

Susan, oy, liquor (whatever it is) and dessert are enough to bring me to a halt. I am also feeling the il effects of a monday night g&t and lemon poundcake fest!

Maybe I'll get the challenge going for the weekend and through next week.

No movies for lala. I'll wait until its on DVD or on a ORD-BRU flight .

lala

Haven't seen the Harrison Ford movie yet. I don't go to the movies as much as I used to. Like lala, I wait for the DVD.

I really need to get back on track; I'm eating seconds. I'm eating sweets. Help and it's TOM (maybe that's why??)

Domina: TOM will certainly do that to me. The telltale sign is usually the craving for sweets.

lala: I didn't get to the move after all. I left work yesterday with a wicked headache and it just wouldn't quit. I opted to stay home and go to bed early. Maybe I'll go Sunday afternoon if the weather isn't good. DH is going to make a quick visit to New Brunswick to see his parents; I'm staying home cause if I go that far, I will then feel I have to travel another couple of hours to see my own family. And I'm just not up to it this weekend.

Is everyone taking a vacation this summer?

Susan,
I hope you feel better this am. You'll get some exercise in this weekend, I'm very confident.

Vacations -- hmmm. I am going to SD at least twice for work, but I get to see my parents too. I wouldn't call it a vacation.

We're going to the Queen Charlottes in early Sept for four days.

New York for a weekend or two if I can find a cheap flight (not really a vacation though), DC for a meeting with a weekend stay (more like a vacation with a laptop), Orlando for a few tasty mileage accrual runs. Definitely not a vacation.

So, lots of flying and not much in the way of vacations save the Charlottes.

Sad to say.

Other than that, its raining soo hard here. I think I'm going to get my lawn back by the end of the week.

Have a great weekend all. I'll be cleaning, pruning, running around and not at work!

lala

ohhh, I wanted to mention that I am very interested in going to new brunswick next year. I think we may take the ferry from calais maine to do it.

I'm really enjoying canada again!

lala