Good morning. I have a sneaky suspicion that I'm the only one around this week, so I may end up talking to myself. Oh well, it wouldn't be the first time...

My weekend was a little chaotic. My in-laws arrived on Saturday and while it was just a short visit (they're leaving today), it threw things into a tizzy even more than it does usually. MIL is having difficulty getting around recently due to hip pain. She normally does everything for FIL who has had ambulatory problems for the past few years and is getting worse. Neither listens to the other much (no surprise after almost 60 years of marriage). I'm happy that she was able to get a bit of a rest while we waited on him, but am feeling a little frazzled at the moment.

TOM has hit with a vengeance. That likely explains why I've been eating so badly over the past week. I have some work to do to get back to where I was at my last official weigh-in.

I have a relatively easy week ahead of me. Taking a vacation day on Wednesday to go on an all-day shopping spree with my sister, then Friday is my regular day off. I'll need that day to get ready for our annual Hallowe'en party on Saturday.

So, is anyone else out there?

I'm here, really.

Just flew in from DC and I'm whooped, but I'm at work as I have homework to finish in the next few hours.

Yikes, after 35 the brain just doesn't do well with retention.

Susan, sounds like a stressful weekend. I hope your shopping spree with your sister goes well. Sounds like tons of fun to me.

Had a great time in London, got a haircut, did a bit of shopping and visited with my friend for a yummy Japanese lunch and ran around looking at shoes.

Did pretty well on the way back too, my lunch was on the dry chicken side, but the sides were not swimming in oil. I even abstained from the typically lala nut bowls. I did have a bit of icecream as dessert, but it wasn't too bad.

Last night I spent the night in DC, had a luxurious dinner through Room service and then blew it with a few nightcaps with a colleague. However, I'm back on the straight and narrow today!

Okay, back to conditional statements.

lala

Hi Susan, Lala! I'm back from my weekend trip to Michigan. The drive was tedious--7 hours and not a whole lot to look at! I was sick the entire weekend with allergy/sinus stuff. On a positive note, I wasn't hungry and didn't eat much or drink! I'm on vacation all week from my "day job" and DH and I are taking day trips. Today we went to an outlet mall area and to a quaint little town, where we had lunch. The soup was great but the burger I had planned for and anticipated was dried out and gross! Anyway, saved points there too!

The weather here continues to be cool & dreary. Not exactly the best time to be off but I'm not going to complain. I really need to do some de-cluttering and this might just be the time to get moving on it.

TOM is due to arrive on Wednesday and I have no desire to get on a scale this week. I may do a quick check at home here tomorrow morning to see where I'm at. I won't be attending my regular meeting on Wednesday but am working at the center on Tuesday evening.

Not much else going on here.

Lala: I swear the older I get the longer it takes for me to rebound from traveling!

Susan: Enjoy the shopping trip with your sister. We're having a Halloween party at our Friday night WW meeting for the members who attend and then afterwards the leader, myself and another receptionist are going to go out for dinner. It'll be a fun evening.

I'll check in again later on in the week.

Hi again. Glad to see I won't be alone all week.

Melissa: It's raining and dreary here too, but unusually warm so I'm not complaining. Hope you get lots done this week. I've been on the declutter trail for weeks now and starting to make some progress. The next thing on my list - Christmas decorations. I have real trouble resisting anything related to Christmas, so have boxes and boxes of stuff. I need to make some tough decisions about what I truly value and what to give away. It will be traumatic, but it has to be done

lala: Beats me how you do these short jaunts over such wide distances and remain coherent. Are you satisfied with your haircut? I forgot to mention I had mine cut about two weeks ago - quite different from my usual "do." DH does not approve, but I'm getting used to it and like it much more now than when I first had it done. At least it should fit under my "mimi" wig on Saturday.

Speakkng of Mimi, I weighed myself at home this morning. Ugh.

Hiya ladies,

I have partially recovered, mostly out of fear of all I have to do today. I went to my class last night, drove home, did the dog thing and went to bed at 8:30, I feel better today.

As for the short jaunts, well, I don't know. I do fly in biz. class so that helps alot as its more comfortable. I think its the excitement of going somewhere that keeps me going, however, the nonexcitement of getting back makes me tired.

My haircut is good, I have another one booked for the 6th of december.

Haircuts are good, but change is hard for some. Do you like your new do?

Melissa --
How nice to vacation at the same time as DH! Sounds like you guys have some nice activities planned. Driving for seven hours sounds trying to me too, I hope you feel better soon!

As for miss flo, I'm over her now and I posted a nice 1.8# loss from last sunday, so i'm down about .6# for the last couple of weeks. Yeah!

So, off to write a progress report out of the blue. I'll check in again. I had a piece of halloween candy this am, so I must journal.

lala

Hiya.

I'm suffering from allergies big time this a.m. Serves me right for getting a bit lax with the medication.

lala: I really like the cut. It has shape to it, something that has been lacking for the past few months. I think DH is coming around too Now I need to make an appointment for highlights.

The shopping day with my sister was a big success. Got lots of Christmas gifts, had a nice lunch - we felt like ladies of leisure.

Gotta run and get some work done. Later.

Hiya Susan,

I'm glad you like your do and DH is getting used to it. I have yet to make it to the highlight part of my life, but I am thinking in a few years....

Nothing new going on here, its sunny and brisk. I have piles of work to do and should get cracking too. I have a drs. appt this afternoon for my nagging cough. I am hoping he gives me something for that and maybe look at my hip. It is still bothering me.

Anyone have any crazy plans for halloween? I have hopes of carving pumpkins tonight and baking the seeds, but other than that its homework all weekend and cleaning up the garden!

lala

Hi Lala & Susan!

Yesterday we had a beautiful day for a drive and enjoyed every minute of it! The temps were in the low 60's and it was sunny--beautiful day for leaves. Surprisingly Ohio still has a lot on the trees. Here in our neck of the woods the winds have been pretty strong so a lot of the leaves are off the trees.

Today I went and took care of my passport so that's done; now it's just waiting for it to arrive.

TOM still has not made his appearance! I'm 2 days late and it's so frustrating...all the signs are there. I guess I should count my blessings since I haven't had to deal with cramps, etc. while taking our road trips.

No major plans for this evening--I'm working at WW tonight and we're planning a special treat for the members that stay. I work with a great leader and we've come up with a "goody" bag for those that stay for the meeting. We've got a recipe, quote, 3 tootsie pops (mini) which are 1 point, and a few other things. It should be a fun time. Afterwards we're going out for dinner so it'll be a nice evening all the way around.

Hope you both are doing well!

Hiya Melissa --

Sounds like you are having a great week off!

You'll be soo happy once you get your passport. If you need any London suggestions, feel free to ask away. Its my home away from home.

I finally went to the doctor yesterday re:my cough and pain. Seems that my cough is the remnants of my cold that turned into viral bronchitis. The cough is persistent and from all my coughing I pulled a muscle, so that is why I am in pain. So, if I had taken two hours while I was first sick and went to see the dr, I would have gotten meds to get rid of my cough and then I wouldn't have this outstanding pain in my side. Sigh. How short sited of me.

However, I have an inhaler and some cough suppressants now.

Nothing new here, have the basset carved out of my pumpkin, the candy in a bowl at the front door and chanterelle risotto on the plan for the evening.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

lala