Susan actually the temps on Friday in this area should be in the low 40's with some sunshine, so it won't be too bad weatherwise. There is certainly a lot to do in Boston ...the museums are great, Quincy Market/Faneuil Hall is always fun. The T will get you anywhere. If you decide to go to Quincy Market there is a restaraunt close by called the Union Oyster House, I believe it is the oldest restaraunt in Boston. It's a really cool place...Dh and I were there in the fall. I wish I was going to be in the area on Friday I would love to have met up you to say hello, but I will be in Hartford CT most of the day. Have a great time it's a really nice city.

Hi everyone,

Its moderately nice here again and Roya the cat only woke me up at 3:30 this am. I need to move her feeding schedule around. I need more than 5 hours of sleep...

My friend made me some protein bars from the Moosewood breakfast cookbook. She makes them for herself and uses very little sugar and lots of soy protein etc. They are sort of strange to begin with, but I'm starting to like them. I need to figure out the points though. Don't want to start snarfing them down and realize I'm eating 45 points a day in protein bars.

Made it to a meeting last night. Figured I paid to weigh in, so I better stay for a meeting some time during the week. It was good. It kept me on track. I need to find a meeting that works with my busy schedule...

I also managed to hit Ann Taylor (er, how could that happen) while picking up a prescription and cat food (my cat gets her food at a very exclusive pet store ) and they are having a great sale on cashmere....

I picked up a hoodie for travel for 39 bucks and another sweater... The colors are sort of well, picked over in my hood, but your luck may vary. They also have nice cashmere shawls on clearance for about 30 bucks. I may pick one up tomorrow for travelling. I usually have a pashmina, but they are not particularily soft.

Susan-- you'll have fun. I hope you get packed and remember, though Thailand is a third world country, they stock things like shorts, bathing suits and sarongs/pareos and I'm thinking that is all you will be wearing.

I love watching people coming back from warm climes, all tanned and in shorts, while us transatlantic travellers are bundled up in our wool coats. Either of the two restos that I suggested or Pam will do you good.

Melissa -- I'm giving up chocolate again this year. Its hard as I have a 100 g bag of chocolate dipped grapefruit rind to either give away or eat before then. I should have planned better. I also just found a small box of sea salt caramels from Maisons de bricourt where we stayed in Brittany in September and December. They expire on the 11th, so I better get cracking or share...

Lisa -- good for you on getting rid of your "fat" clothes. I need to do that this weekend.

Hi Pam!

Okay, I've written too much. Time to finish report and see if I can go see a ship about a wireless access point.

lala

I'm here in between meetings. Tonight is my professional group board meeting (I'm the Secretary). That should be all right.

My girlfriend is coming into town from Tennessee. She'll be staying at her dad's. I'm looking forward to spending some time with her. We will definitely watch the Super Bowl.

Found out this morning that two of my friends from the past passed away. One of them was only 48 years old. He was a great guy; he'd help you with anything. He had a great personality, too.

Susan, I tend to put off packing. Sometimes it just seems so daunting. That's a good idea to buy a giveaway jacket. Sorry you missed your meeting; let's hope for an understanding boss.

Melissa, I'm glad you're getting out for walks even in the cold. When it's cold it's easy to say, "not today." Now why did you have to bring tortilla chips. I just love those things--definitely red light food. Hmmm, what about Nutella on tortilla chips?

Lisa read this article and consider buying lots of veggies to munch on.

diet detective on the superbowl

Sorry to hear about your friends. What a shock. Hugs to you.

Its beautiful here. I'm feeling a bit tired after acupuncture and some other stuff, so I'm going to finish up quick and get home to take a nap in the sun.

lala

Lala wow that article was an eye opener. Will make me think twice about my choices on Sunday.
I have never tried this Nutella everyone is talking about. I think I'll check the grocery store tonight and pick some up. Of course my first stop tonight will be Ann Taylor....Lala got me thinking about the sales!!!!

Hiya everyone,

I'm running late, so quick one for me. Our fine weather is ending soon and we're back to cold right when my mom arrives. Oh well, good thing we all have heat. Roya the cat is still driving me bonkers, so I'm going to try a new feeding technique tonight. She woke the dog up and he was not pleased.

Other than that, things are going okay. DP comes home tonight and will be home all weekend, though we're both swamped with school work. I'm hoping to get out and prune raspberries and do a bit of yard clean up. Yesterday's warmth meant lots more crocuses and irises (crocii and irii?) started blooming. At least my mom will get to see them.

Pam -- did you have any luck at Ann Taylor?

I'm thinking that Susan is probably madly packing right now... lucky girl.

Hi to everyone else!

lala

lala, thanks for the article (I think). It sure gave me pause. How nice to have flowers blooming. My mums have exploded all of a sudden (not sure why). When will you be finished with school? I don't miss it at all.

Pam, let us know how you did at Ann Taylor. Don't eat too much Nutella or you won't be able to go back! : )

Hi, Susan and Melissa.

Hi everyone! It's a balmy 30 here today and it's overcast. I did get out for a short walk at noon--tomorrow I'm hoping to get a longer one in. It's been busy here--this morning I met with our HR director and I've been doing some follow ups with that so the morning flew by. This afternoon seems to be dragging a little. I'm following the old Fast Track to get a handle on things and actually feel full and satisfied. I'm hoping to get things back under control with my night time snacking. I did well last night so that's good.

Pam: Nutella is addictive--my mom and dad discovered the tasty treat when they were in Germany. They had it on fresh hard rolls...mmmm.

Lala: No flower sightings here--we're still covered in snow. Thanks for posting the article--it's definitely an eye-opener.

Susan: Hope you have all your packing done and that you're able to take a breath and relax a bit before you leave. Enjoy the trip!!

I have a new find--I was at the store last evening and found Welch's Light Grape Juice (70 cal/0 fat/0 fiber) and for 1 point for a cup it's delicious. I wasn't sure if it would taste good but it does.

Hi everyone. Just a quick check-in before I head for home and finish up some small details.

Got most of my packing done last nite. I managed to get the bathrooms cleaned, and will do my best to vacuum, dust and wash the kitchen floor tonight because I don't want to come home to a dirty house.

I'm a bit shell-shocked at the moment. Remember the meeting I missed yesterday? Well, I managed to remember it today and got some news that has me reeling. It seems they might not renew my assignment agreement. They have a new job opening up in my area of expertise and at my salary level (they think). The bottom line is, they may make me come back.

I have been working on this special federal-provincial initiative for almost five years. I didn't realize how hard it would be to give up until I heard that news a few hours ago. It has blown me completely out of the water, and taken a lot of the lustre off of the trip.

I know that in the days and weeks to come, I will come to terms with it, and be thankful that I have a good paying job. But it is so important to like what you're doing, and I really like what I do here.

Anyway, there's nothing I can do about it and I have to let things play out.

I'm wishing you all a good month of February. Beware of the chocolate around the 14th. I'll check in from Thailand if possible.

Melissa, hopefully flowers aren't too far off. Thanks for the recommendation of the juice. I like all types of juices. I discovered Nutella in Italy.

Susan, have fun on your trip. If you can check in that would be good. Sorry to hear about your position. That is so upsetting. That happened to me in the past and it is important to like what you are doing.

Hugs to Susan. I'm sorry to hear about the program changes. Take a few deep breaths and things will work out for the best. Check in if you can so that we can know you are safe and having fun sunning with DH.

Nutella -- I remember having it like Melissa's parents at my uncle's house in germany. I love that stuff and will miss it on February 9.

Okay, I'm going to log off now and give the dog his pills and get ready for work..

lala

Happy Friday.

I'm a fashion disaster today, so I'm going to put on my yoga pants and pretend I didn't mean to wear patterned hose that is way too loud with my jean skirt.

I look like a dork and its a good thing I work in such a casual environment.

Other than that, its raining but not cold. I'm considering giving my cat to a family of deaf people so that I can get some sleep. She's still demanding food non-stop and I'm afraid of overfeeding her. I guess DP can ask the vet today when she takes Jacques in for acupuncture.

I am hoping that Susan is enjoying herself in Boston today where it is at least above freezing.

later taters,

lala

Hi all! It's a sunny 32 here today and I took advantage of the weather and got a walk in! Woohoo! I'm also eating better and feeling more satisfied. It's amazing when you actually follow the program how much better you feel, I'm trying to incorporate more protein and whole grains with my meals so I feel satisfied longer and it appears to be helping--I'm not looking for something to eat about an hour after I've eaten.

Lala: Hopefully the cat will quiet down and let you get your rest. It can be sooo frustrating!

Lisa: I'm always looking for something new to add new life to my meals, snacks.

I've got a busy weekend ahead of me so the time will fly by. Sunday evening will be spent catching up with laundry in between watching the game. I do admit I look forward to the commercials. Anyone else have plans?

My mom is here tomorrow, so I figure I'll be shopping on Saturday night. I need one hotel night stay before my trip to London and I'll take my mom to stay or at least check in.

Other than that, starting on my paper for my arch class and staying out of trouble.

I weigh in tomorrow, I'm hoping for a loss.

As for food: i'm in a rut. Tonight we're having pork tenderloin with sauteed apples or mushrooms, asparagus and potatoes. I may gratin the potatoes.

I want someone to plan my meals for me and since I don't use a crock pot, its difficult.

Lunch will be either 6 finn crisps and two laughing cow lites, grilled asparagus, an apple.

yum.

Melissa -- I am hoping you were not a popsicle when you got to work this am.

Brr.