Good Monday morning. Where is everyone today? I thought I would be late checking in but it looks as though I'm first.

I had a great, productive weekend. Got lots done around the house, saw some friends and got some running in. Feeling pretty good about everything today except my weight which I continue to struggle with.

Did 9 km with the running group yesterday, and that was after a bit too much wine on Saturday nite so I'm pretty pleased that I was able to get out. I got teased mercilessly though. Not a good idea to let folks know that my head was kinda fuzzy

How is everyone? Have a good weekend?

Good morning! Thanks for getting the thread up and running Susan!

It's been crazy here this morning--another "orientation Monday". After today there's only 1 more

I had a fairly good weekend--eating has been so-so. DH and I went out for dinner on Friday evening--had grouper (my absolute favorite and it's hard to find up here), green beans, mashed potatoes and 2 glasses of wine. I don't usually drink wine and I could tell because it went directly to my head!

Saturday my mom and I headed to Cleveland to go to the cemetary to take care of my great aunt's grave and then stopped by a German sausage shopped that she wanted to see. From there we had reservations for tea at a place called Remember When. It was wonderful! It's definitely a place that I'll be going back to.

Sunday I worked at WW in the a.m. and then DH, the boys and I went to brunch. Didn't do too much in terms of exercise but I didn't over do on snacking/mindless eating either so that's a good thing. Bought yet another pair of black sandals *sigh* I had ordered a pair of capris from Marshall Field's and got them on Friday--it's frustrating to have something fit in the waist but not in the hip area...ugh! Anyway, they're on their way back. Not much else here--how's everyone else doing???

Hi to Domina, Pam, Lala!

Susan, good for you running with a fuzzy head!

Melissa, that's the bad thing about Internet/catalog orders. You just can't be sure of the fit.

I had made a conscious effort over the last week to watch my foods. I was making Weight Watchers recipes, e.g. 1 point muffins (delicious) and meatloaf muffins. I got on the scale yesterday and saw a couple pounds lost. I was thrilled so I was headed to WI tonight. Guess what happened?? TOM!!! AND I hadn't had one of those for a few months. Now I'm back up there weight-wise and I am not going to WI. I refuse after all the hard work.

I golfed this weekend; that was fun. I also hit the consignment shops and got some good deals.

Hi, lala and Pam.

hola.

had a marginal weekend, but happy to hear everyone else and splendid ones....

Melissa -- I went to banana republic this weekend and tried on a skirt, cute, but I know it will stretch as I wear it, so I tried it on a size smaller (a bit tight, but I know it will be okay), it was too short. They ordered me a petite from the catalog.

I hope it works.

Other than that, went off the deep end eating (emotional stuff), but on track now.

more later,

lala

lala, you sound a little down. I hope things are looking up.

I was looking for a little black dress over the weekend; that was frustrating. Either they were too long or too short. I have a great one, but it's too big for me. The more I think about it, I believe I will take it to a tailor for alterations. : )

okay, I'm back.

Honestly, its just that I seem to have small communication breakdowns with DP, you would think after nearly 13 years we would be able to get over little things. Anyways, things are better now, just learning how to rephrase things in the positive.

Ate too much, did exercise and keep active, but must journal on weekends.

Other than that, here all week. Working, gardening, keeping cat and dog healthy, checking on ailing friends and trying to keep a PMA without pharmaceuticals.

Everyone sounded like they had a great weekend. Domina, the LBD is a hard one to find that is perfect all the way. Get it tailored, you'll be happy.

Susan -- I am stil on for 7 before sept 3 (the day before I leave for France)....


lala

lala, I'm glad things are working out. Re: the LBD, I think I will get it altered.

I've been invited to an fundraising affair called a "Black and White." Now I think I need to buy a new outfit! I've looked through my closet and nothing hit me.

Last night, DH went to WI and was down 4 pounds!! I'm happy for him, but I didn't go as you know because of TOM.

Hi, Melissa, Pam and Susan.

Morning all. Looks like another gorgeous day here - two in a row - wow!

lala: Yep, let's keep that target. If things go according to plan, we'll be leaving for Bermuda on Sept.4th so that works well for me too. We're trying to line up accommodations now - hoping to book a little cottage with cooking facilities. We haven't visited Bermuda in over ten years, and are really looking forward to it. Re the communication thing, it really is the small stuff that wears you down. After 12 years, we've pretty much worked out the big things but the day-to-day can still rise up and bite us when we least expect it.

Domina: The LBD dilemna. I bought one about five years ago and I wear it a lot - to most every Christmas function I attend in fact. Just haven't found another that I like as much. That's a nice loss for your DH. Was he being intentional, or did he get lucky?

Melissa: I found some capris at Costco of all places. Trouble is, I've gained 10 lbs since I bought them. I can wear them, but they certainly aren't comfortable.

Another great run last nite. I did about 6.5 km after work. It was warm but there was a slight breeze blowing and I didn't push myself too hard.

Good morning everyone

It's the 3H's today (hazy, hot, humid) and more t'storms are expected. Yesterday we got quite a bit of rain. I'm hoping the temps break because the humidity kills me in terms of water retention and just feeling yucky.

I had a stressful day at work only to get home another stressful situation--I do well with dinner but later on I had a run in with Cheetos. Ugh! On a positive note I went for a walk to work off some of the stress and went to bed early rather than stay up.

Domina: I understand your frustrations on looking for dresses. I'd probably just take your favorite to the tailor for alterations--especially since you like it so much.

Lala: DH and I still have problems with communication breakdowns every now and then and we've been married 22 years! I'll say something and he'll take it a totally different way than what I mean. The important part is to talk it out.

Susan: I found a pair of cute jean capris at Walmart this past week. I may need to go back and see if there are any others that might work. It's frustrating to find clothes that fit and feel good. Good for you for getting a run in last evening! Sounds like plans are well under way for your trip to Bermuda.

No major trips in my future--we're taking a couple of days off and heading to Canton and I'm planning a short day trip with my BF from FL--I'm looking forward to seeing her. I haven't been down there in 2 years and I need to get down there before her kids are all grown

Susan, DH is very faithful with his running which helps in the weight loss arena, but I've been making more low points items, so I can take some of the credit. Let me know how Bermuda is. My brother went there a few years ago and didn't like it, but then again he can be hard to please.

Melissa, it sounds like you finally got some summer! So, you'll be coming my way? Where in Florida?

Okay, I'm hoping that Melissa is not wearing galoshes to work. Yikes, the rain.

I did okay yesterday. Had a payday (6 pts) and wrote it down. Didn't leave me a lot of room last night for snacks. I had a few bites of DP's coffee icecream and now I'm questioning why. It was 10:30 and we had just gone for a long slow putter (45 minutes) with mr. jacques. I should have just gone right up stairs brushed the teeth and then gotten my stuff ready for work.. oh well, live and learn.

Thanks for the communication advice. Need to think before speaking...

Susan, we leave for France on the 4th and we're just getting our bearings on where we're planning on staying. I had all these swank hotels in Paris booked on points, but now our plans have flip flopped (saving DP's chocolate purchases until the end of the trip), so I have to reconstruct everywhere. Hopefully you'll find suitable accomodation. If we're somewhere for more than a few days I love to have an apartment or house.

Domina -- Was your DH always such an athlete? If so, consider yourself lucky.

Okay, must get to work as I have a meeting with the data manager for a project that we're dovetailing with, of course, I have nothing to show as nothing is working. grr...

lala
with a tight skirt today but an exceedingly cute cap sleeved black cashmere polo shirt on!

Hi Ladies,

Rainy yucky weather here today..I think the rest of the week is going to be pretty much the same. Glad I'm not on vacation.

Melissa my daughter and her Grandmother were in Cleveland over the weekend, she went to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She got back home this morning and had a terrific time. How far is Cleveland from where you live? I laughed when I read about your run in with the Cheeto's..had a few of those myself .

Domina AHH the little black dress..I have a couple that I wear frequently..I bought one at Nordstroms and it is my all time favorite. I would definitely have it tailored if I am ever fortunate enough to lose a little weight. Too bad about the arrival of TOM. I never weigh in when I have that..too discouraging.

Susan what a busy weekend! Good for you to run after your run in with wine . I loved Bermuda would go back again for sure! My next vacation is Lake George next week and then I would like to go to Charlotte in September to visit my best friend. Haven't been to NC in over 2 years and she's getting tired of always coming up to Massachusetts to see me!!

Lala I'm so envious about your upcoming trip to France. I've never been, but DH and I have been seriously thinking about it. As far as communication issues with spouses and significant others I think everyone experiences that to some degree. Keeping the channels of communication open is key (and mini vacations apart help also ). Brought kitty to the vet. She is fine, but the vet did remind me that she is getting older and may experience more "down" days.

Well time to get some work done. I'll talk to you later.

Pam,

Whew on cat.

I was a bit worried.

Miss Roya's creatine levels are normal, thank goodness, but we're working on her "fiber" intake. Its too gross for words, but can you say metamucil for cats?

France is great and a yearly thing for us. Its a bummer as DP and I were invited to a planning meeting for a really cool project that coincides with our trip, so we're sending a co-pi. His wife gave him permission to leave her and their two babies for a few days.

As for LBD, my favorite came from Ann Taylor. Its very conservative with a nice slit up the front right. I bought it about 7 years ago and paired it with a victor costa overcoat thing that is lace and silver and black. I wear it in the summer with a pashmina, the last year its been a nice camely tan that my mom picked up for me, but sometimes its a silvery/lavender one.

Here's a pic of the clan and the dress:

http://www.ofoto.com/BrowsePhotos.js...1&sort_order=0

Pam, yes, I'm glad your cat is holding steady.

lala, thanks for sending the photos. Your brother apparently got all of the height!! (sorry, couldn't resist). I like your haircut. The black dress looks perfect. I've always wanted to go to France, but first I want to go to Germany (maybe next year).

Well, I went to a work lunch today at Carrabba's. I want you to know that I ate a salad with the dressing on the side. I also stared longingly at the others' meals (ravioli, Chicken Bryan, etc.). Sigh!

Lala,

Very nice LBD. Thanks for posting the picture of you and your family. It's nice to be able to associate a face with a name. Is the tall handsome man behind you your brother?

Thanks for the good wishes for kitty ...best of luck with Miss Roya's problem.