Good morning! The weekend turned out to be gorgeous so we were able to get out and get some yard work done. The cold front has moved in and it's a chilly 38 here this morning. Forecasters are calling for rain/snow mix later on today. Brrrr.

Spent all afternoon Saturday at a WW staff meeting and felt I could've been doing something else. Left there with a blinding headache. Must've been the leaves I raked beforehand.

So how's everyone doing???

Lala: Thoughts and prayers are with you on the death of your friend. One of the ladies I work with just lost her husband on Friday evening--he was only 50 and died after a brief illness. Very sad.

Hi to Pam, Lisa, Sherry!

Hi everybody.

Weekend was half-and-half here - gorgeous yesterday and cruddy on Saturday with high winds, drizzle, etc. Accomplished about half of what I wanted to on the weekend. Did not weigh in. Weight is up. Will do better this week.

Melissa: A blinding headache is always the sign of a bad meeting for me. Either there was no reason for it in the first place, or everyone was in a cranky mood. Which was it for you?

lala: My sympathies on the loss of your friend.

Went to see my doctor this morning. I think I need a new one. She barely hides her impatience with wanting me out of the door. We were doing another pap test since the last two haven't been quite normal. I also wanted to ask about safe arthritis medication and something for the hot flashes. I got advice on both, but I really felt like I was somehow bothering her. There, that's my rant.

Hi to Lisa, Pam and Sherry??

Susan

Hi Ladies,

Thanks for the sympathies. She was a very neat lady and will be missed. I was about to send flowers to the service and realized I could make a 100 dollar donation to the Natick Community Farm in her honor and that would be money much better spent.

It was beautiful here this weekend. We cleaned house a bit on Saturday, hit the market and bought some nice apples and donuts (bad DP), had some friends over for DP's bd, ate too much chocolate cake with buttercream frosting and did lots of garden stuff. On Sunday I raked up five trash barrels full of leaves, did some pruning and deadheading and planted 150 bulbs. There are still another 200 or so left and I swear we need more...

We got my parents condo pretty well squared away, sealed the grout, put the table together, arranged the furntiure. It looks great. I just ordered them cable and hopefully, they'll have a nice flat screen tv to watch it on . I also decluttered a bit more. I feel great on that front.

The cake is all gone, remember when you would watch a 50's sit com and the family would sit down to dessert of homemade cake and eat the whole thing? Yikes. Half the cake is gone and its going with DP to Oregon. I can't have that in my house, it is deadly.

Other than that, its back to usual, deadlines, too much eating, thanksgiving approaching....

Melissa -- the headache, I hope it is better! Is the WW meeting a monthly event?

Susan -- I felt the same way about the person I had the clinic assign me too. She really rushed me. I like the person I saw for my hip. I'm going to call her today and ask a few questions. You have the right to ask for a new doctor if you don't like the one you have.

Hi everyone else!

lala

Well we did see some of that "white stuff" flying around. It's definitely brisk outside. It's been a Monday. Our e-mail has been down since last Thursday and they tried to recover it but I'm one of 10 in our building who lost mail from 10/15 through the 5th. I also lost a distribution list I had created...it was not a pleasant morning.

Susan/Lala: The meeting was pointless IMO. Didn't learning anything new although it did get us together. I could've done so many things in the 3 1/2 hours I sat there. The meetings aren't a monthly event thank goodness, we usually have them a couple of times a year to give us updates. This was to get feedback about the program. Lots of questions.

Susan: I don't like it when the doctor is basically rushing out the door or you feel like you can't ask any questions. I had to find a new GP because the one I had been going to (and liked a lot) left. It's so hard to find a good doctor that you can talk with. I have a great gyno/obgyn nurse practitioner who takes time and actually listens to my concerns. I don't see my regular doctor since I'm not having any major problems.

I finally moved the summer stuff out of the closet/dresser and dug out some of my winter stuff.

I'm hoping the weather is halfway decent tomorrow so I can get a walk in. Had a function today at noon and couldn't get out. Eating hasn't been the best but it hasn't been a total disaster either.

Hi, everyone. Another busy weekend. We now have a new roof-that was exciting. Did a lot of yard work. Went to an arts and crafts show which was nice and reasonably priced IMHO. Yesterday was a weird eating day. Had an egg for breakfast, then had cookies : ), then ate 2 point black bean soup with some cornbread. Okay, back on track today. WI is tonight, but I'll be happy with a slight gain (sigh!).

lala, sorry about your friend.

Melissa, white stuff? Oh yeah, it's November, almost forgot. I hope it doesn't stick. Sorry your WW meeting wasn't more exciting. I would be very antsy sitting in a room for 3 hours for a worthless meeting.

Susan, sorry about your gain. I'd switch doctors. You don't need to put up with that attitude. Aren't we all told to ask our doctors questions and that we are in charge of our own health?

A gorgeous, sunny day on the outside. Cool, but that's to be expected this time of year I guess. I hear there were snow flurries yesterday but I missed 'em!

Another day of eating badly under my ever-expanding belt. I am so discouraged. Even with my mini goal and pending reward, I can't seem to get my eating under control. I could use an AHA moment right about now.

I have 2 pairs of pants that fit (bought them too big). Nothing else. Getting dressed in the morning has become a real treat - how to dress these 2 items up to look like something else.

Thanks to all who commented on the doctor situation; I know I need to find another one but it's really difficult given the shortage we're experiencing. There's a wonderful guy at the same clinic but I expect he doesn't take new patients. Doesn't hurt to ask I guess.

DH and I are going to a wine-tasting tonight. I have a big out-of-town meeting tomorrow so I can't indulge too much. We go every year with this same group and it's always a lot of fun. Maybe they'll help me forget about how sore my throat is and how congested I am. Damn allergies!

I'm off on Thursday (Remembrance Day) and Friday is my scheduled day off so I'll try to check in from home. Have a good rest of the week/weekend.

It's rainy here today, but it's been very dry lately. Went to WI last night--up 2#, so I erased last month's victory! I'm just eating too much junk lately.

Susan, a wine-tasting sounds like fun. I like to try new wines. Have a good long weekend.

Hi, Melissa, lala, Pam, and Sherry.

Hi everyone,

Grumpy day here. Work commitments have DP and I scrambling to figure out how to salvage our trip to France in early december. As it stands, we're basically going to have to buy new tickets and figure out a new itinerary.

Maybe we'll just stay home and then go to France for Christmas... Hmm, that is a thought!

Susan -- have fun wine tasting.

Lisa -- sorry about the gain, it could be the humidity.

Melissa -- My winter clothes are still buried under basement detritus. I am wearing the same few skirts and sweaters. Hey, when they get unearthed it'll be like having a whole new wardrobe, right?

Hi to everyone else...

lala

Good afternoon ladies!

Susan: I can relate with the allergies--mine have kicked into gear as well--sore throat, headache. I think the leaf raking did me in.

Lala: I had a horrible day yesterday; our e-mail has been down since last Thursday and our ITS department had to visit every office to get things up and running. Long story short, I love 2 weeks of e-mail and a distribution list that I had created. Grrr.

Lisa: It's beautiful here today, clear blue skies but the temp is holding at 39. At least it's not snowing/raining. The rest of the week isn't so promising.

I did get out for a short walk over the lunch hour to clear the cobwebs. I'm dosing myself up with my meds in hopes this doesn't go into a sinus infection.

Hi to Pam!

Hi Ladies,

I'm sitting in my office looking out the window and I really don't want to go outside. It's freezing cold and very windy and my car is parked soooooooo far away. I hate cold weather. I have Thursday (Veterans Day) off so the plan is to finish painting the bedroom what a fun way to spend a day off. Not sure if I'm going to like the color or not. We chose "Mulled Wine" kind of a light burgundy. DH wasn't sure but I think I kind of sold him on it so I sure hope it looks good. Work is busy, home is chaotic, I need a vacation.

Melissa I would take clear skies and 39. Thursday into Friday we are suppose to get snow showers again. Yuck. Sorry about the computer problems. Hopefully you lost some emails you really didn't want to see .

Lala France for Christmas sounds like a good plan. You should book it. I think your decluttering mood was contagious..I did quite a bit of that myself this weekend.

Susan Not sure what to say except that I could use an AHA moment myself. Seems like I have a few good days and then I really blow it. I have a few pairs of pants that are getting a little tight and you think that would do it. I'm going to a new doctor on Friday. My old gynocologist retired recently so this will be my first visit with a new doc in 20 years. Yikes.

Lisa glad your new roof is on!! You should celebrate the end of hurricane season.

Well ladies, I must brave the cold and make a run for my car. Hope you all have a nice night. Talk to you later.

Good morning! Well, I'm at home today--my voice is pretty much gone and since I can't answer the phone/talk it's pointless to go in and sit at my desk. I gave my mom the job of calling the doctor to see if I can get in. I know it's caused from the sinus drip I've had. It's frustrating to not be able to talk!

On the eating front I've been doing okay--not stellar but not horrible either. I need to keep my journal front & center so I can keep it up to date, lately that's been a challenge for me. I think I've gotten comfortable with what I'm doing but I need the feedback the journal gives me. Anyone else feel this way??

Pam: It's sunny here today and we're supposed to hit up in the 50's but then the weather is going to be going downhill from there with *snow* in the forecast. Like you, I'm not ready for this! I do like walking in the crisp air and tell myself it's good to get rid of the germs! Sometimes it works

I don't have Veteran's Day off but who know if I'll be able to go in tomorrow.

More later.

It's cloudy here today; I hope we get some sunshine. I'm meeting a friend for lunch at an Irish Pub (can't imbibe unfortunately).

Pam, I'm not fond of cold weather at all; that's why I moved to Florida. : ) It's great to have a new roof. Now I need soffits, a pool enclosure and new ceilings and I'm set. I hear you about the eating part. I go great some days and then other days, don't even ask. That's nice that you have a day off.

Melissa, sorry about the laryngitis. That happened to me earlier this year and it is horrible. Will the doctor be able to do anything? Most times they say to rest it.

Hi, lala and I know that Susan is off the rest of the week.

Hi everyone,

I had a nice case of laryngitis last year. It sucked. Stay warm, keep that throat wrapped and drink nice soothing liquids. Maybe Lisa can send up a irish coffee?

Its cloudy here today, but no rain. Its much warmer than the east coast which is nice. I did a bit of leaf raking this am and hope to finish tonight. I have the heating contractor coming with the engineer to size the boiler and figure out placement and a dentist appointment at 4 pm. Nice way to end the day. My parentals are coming up to stay in their condo for the first time tonight. They are here for six days. I hope they like it.

Lisa -- what is the highest priority for the house? Is it the ceilings? We're all having sort of winning and losing streaks in the eating arena these days. I was reading on dwlz.com about the master of your domain challenge -- how many consecutive days one can go while staying OP without slipping. Might be an interesting challenge.

Pam -- I have veteran's day off and so far all I have scheduled is the gym, meeting a financial advisor and maybe getting my hair cut.

What would you ladies do-- I have a much dreaded wedding to go to on Saturday and the haircut could be a bit too short, so maybe I should reschedule for the following week?

Okay, gotta go and do something... work calls.

lala

Hi Ladies,

Sunny and cold here today last night it got down to 15 degrees...brrrrrrrrrr.
Tomorrow it should get up to 50 but on Friday they are predicting snow. Ready or not winter is here.

Melissa I hope you're feeling better. My Mom also suffers quite a bit with sinus drip. Hope your voice comes back soon it is very frustrating not to be able to talk. The last few days my throat has been scratchy..I hope I'm not coming down with something. Especially strep throat which I tend to get once a year. Yuck! Rest and relax today.

Lisa where did you live prior to Florida. I really find the cold weather harder to tolerate the older I get. Today I got a call from the guy who has been snow plowing my driveway the past few winters. He no longer will be doing this, so now I have to look for someone else, or invest in a snow blower.

Hi to Susan and Lala..I'll be back with more later.

lala, I hope your boiler installation goes well. I also hope your parents like their condo. I need to check out Dottie's; I haven't visited there for a while. I was talking to a coworker and she is just so mad at herself. She has had horrible cravings for sweet and salty things and she can't blame TOM which was a couple weeks ago. I am also having cravings for salty things.

As far as my house, a sheetrock installer won't even look at your house till the roof is done. I figure I'll get someone once the soffits are done.

Melissa, try to find Throat Coat. It's a tea by Traditional Medicinals and is usually found in health food stores, drug stores, even some grocery stores. It tastes bad, but it really soothes the throat and sometimes your voice actually returns more quickly.

Pam, I was raised in Ohio, then lived in the Washington, D.C. area, then a short stint in St. Louis, MO. I've been in Florida for 19 years. Brrr--15 degrees--yuck.