Hi all,

Thought I'd start early. Feeling a bit better, still have my moments, think I'll have those moments for the next few months. Really and truly trying to focus on Roya's 18.75 years and not her last 5 hours. Its just strange to come home and not hear here come and tell us about what we missed or why dinner is late. She was a talker, but also quite interactive. Unusual in a cat.

Eating has been quite interesting. I think I'll get a big M which is fine by me. Haven't dragged my butt to the gym since Wednesday, but I have been taking walks and gardening, so at least I'm not vegging.

This week is whacky for me. I'm here on Monday, going to Oregon with DP to work with a grad student for a couple of hours, coming back for a kamakaze end of the week with class, project reporting (ugh) and er,a 15 page paper to write. I think I can get it done. I created a 3 page outline yesterday. Now, need to fill in the blanks.

I think it can be done.

DP and Jacques are doing okay. Jacques is really down and a bit lethargic. Me thinks he misses his sister very much.

I'm hoping that everyone had a good weekend, enjoyed the weather and relaxed.

lala

Lala: Thanks for getting us up and running! I can't believe Roya was over 18 years! Isn't that a long life span for a cat? I know with our dogs the longest we ever had one was 15 years. Yes, I'm sure Jacques is missing his sister. Sounds like you've got quite a week ahead. Mine is boring in comparison

Weekend went pretty well, although I did more than my share of eating and even succumbed to more than a couple of beers at the rugby party on Saturday evening. It was nice to get out and talk with the other wives. DS #1 didn't take too much ribbing from the guys, other than they were worried that I would be angry and wouldn't let him play. It was a freak thing and like I told him it's totally his decision. I know his dad was excited that he got to play a match with him. We had great weather for the rugby tournament and the Highland Games--I totally enjoyed my sausage roll and also split a shepherds pie with DS.

It's a dreary, rainy day with temps only supposed to get up near 55. From what they're saying it's not going to improve all that much. I brought my gym stuff with me so I can work out--not sure if I'm going to go at noon or after work.

Hi to Susan, Pam, Lisa!

It's going to be very hot here today--91! I had a great weekend after our Dish system was repaired. That's a long story. Golf was terrific--no rain (hooray). DH and I won a gift certificate to Uno's and some Domino's pizzas. Hmmm, why is everything high points? Shopping was pretty good; I bought a cute sundress for only $17.

lala, I feel for you while you mourn. That is old for a cat, isn't it? I've known a couple cats who vocalized and it always amazed me. When we lost our cockatiel almost two years ago, it was just awful to come home and not hear her cheery chirping.
We had tremendous rain here Saturday night. Did you send it our way?

Melissa, so sorry about DS's wrist. DH broke his wrist in a race about 10 years ago and it was a real process; it had to be casted twice (six months apart). Be very careful with this injury. There are so many blood vessels and nerves that go to the hand. I'm not trying to scare you, just to encourage you and DS to listen to the doctor very carefully. Thanks for the tea room information.

Hi, Pam and Susan.

Hi everyone,

Nice here today. Still feeling wierd, but surviving because this week I have no choice!

Melissa --I forgot to say I was sorry about DS's wrist. Yowch. However, I think its neat he likes rugby as much as DH does. It seems like a sport that follows you everywhere, so he'll be able to hang out at the more bespoke bars of Dublin, Rome and Sydney watching matches. Maybe that is not what you wanted to hear?

I would say young people do heal faster than us old fogeys, but can he get some PT at some point?

Lisa -- Congrats on the GC and the dish repair. 91 is too hot for me, 71 is better.

Oh, must leave for meeting....

hi to everyone else!

lala

Another hot one expected today, but I'll be inside all day going to meetings and more meetings. DH and I decided to go to St. Petersburg this weekend to visit the family. It will be a short visit though because my musical group will be performing on Saturday afternoon.

I'm getting excited. Our vacation to St. Maarten will be here before we know it.

I am trying very hard to eat better because I definitely was out of control last week; I know that I gained weight because the clothes are tighter.

lala, are you feeling better?

How is everyone else doing?

Lala: My DH was exicted that he got to play a match with DS. It's in his blood, what can I say??? DS has been hanging around the rugby teams since he was a toddler so he knows the camaradie of the players. It's kind of a bittersweet feeling. DS #2 says he wants to play too--at least I have 4 years till that happens unless of course they get some youth teams going here.

Lisa: It sounds like I left just before the really hot weather hit. It's dismal here again today--rain and only 48 degrees and the forecast for the rest of the week isn't much better. Denise at The Royal Tearoom is really nice and the food is really good. It's one of my favorites and it's pretty easy to get to. They're located in a small plaza at the end.

My eating hasn't been the best and I think it's because I'm still in vacation mode, lol. I need to get cracking at writing! I did go to the wellness center last evening and did my toning exercises, walked a little and then used the eliptical for 12 minutes (I'm trying to increase it) and walked a few laps afterwards to get my muscles to relax.

Not too much else going on here--I'm getting through my paperwork that's been sitting on my desk. Tomorrow the boss is off in the morning so I'll be able to plow through some things that I've been ignoring.

Melissa, you sure did leave FL at a good time. It's very humid now; summer is here. I hear you about the elliptical; I talk to women all the time who can do an hour on that thing and I struggle to do 15 minutes. Maybe it requires a different body than what I have. I'm still running and walking; running is hard though. DH is so proud!

Yes, it's good when the boss is away. Sorry about your weather. My MIL was complaining about the same thing; she's not that far from you.

Hi, Susan, lala, and Pam

Good morning ladies!

It's a beautiful sunny day here with temps around 60. Perfect walking weather!

I went to my meeting yesterday and was down .2 which is good considering I've been eating out more than usual. This weekend will be a challenge since we'll be heading to my cousins house and we usually kick back and enjoy a few beers and snacks.

Lisa: I can't imagine using the elliptical for an hour; by the time 12 minutes is up my legs are like rubberbands, Good for you for running. I've alternated walking a few laps, running a few, etc. and that's the extent of my running.

Lala: How are you doing? DS has an appointment tomorrow morning for an x-ray to see if the bone has stayed in place. I sure hope so!

Hi to Susan, Pam!

It's nice here today. We're into our hot days with rain in the afternoon (i.e. summer). Tomorrow, DH are playing golf with another couple. Saturday I have a concert in the afternoon and then we'll head to my parents in St. Pete. As you said Melissa, it will be difficult to watch the eating; I know that we'll have a cookout and all that.

Melissa, I can relate to the rubberband legs. I'm getting a little better at running, but I can't keep it up for long periods of time as DH does. I hope the doctor appt. for DS goes well.

Hi, lala, Pam and Susan

Hi everyone,

I thought I posted from Oregon, it seems to have dissappeared. Hmm..

Everything here is fine. Its going to be around 85 here today. What is with that? A nice string of 72 degree days for 10 days would suffice. I guess we shouldn't complain too much. It could be raining.

Lisa -I like the elliptical, but usually go for about 40 mins. I usually wil set a goal for myself - x number of miles or x number of steps. Better than time. I like to race myself.

I worked on weights with my Personal Trainer today. He killed me, but its a good feeling. Will do a walk tonight for a bit of cardio.

Doing okay emotionally. It was this time last week that I was bereft. Today I'm just missing my cat, but glad we had her for as long as we did. Still was a bit strange last night to just come home to Jacques. I guess I'll get used to it.

Good weigh in Melissa. I would just match each chip with a sip of water, maybe that will help.

Must weigh in, these middle of the week events are killing my regular schedule.

I'm thinking Pam is on vacation and Susan is hopefully okay.

lala, that's great that you can do 40 minutes. That's some warm weather for your area. Well, give Jacques two hugs.

Melissa, yes, congrats on the loss. I'm not sure I'll have a loss next time. I'd be happy with M.

Ack.

I'm going up to talk to someone about changing jobs/groups. Wish me luck. Should be a lateral move with maybe a raise/promotion.

lala