Drop Some Weight in 2008 June 23-July 6

[jillywilly]

Hi Everyone!
Well, I am back on the wagon, not getting drug behind it any longer. I am back on program with DSH and we are really going to stick to it. We have both been riding a roller coaster lately with all of my stuff, and we have both gained weight!
I don't know if you all remember the lump in my leg or not, well it's the cause of my stuff.... I will explain later when i have more time. I don't have the time right now, but will get back on when I can and fill you in.
I have missed you guys!! I will be on to post when I can.

[Patt3]

Jilly...what a great surprise! How wonderful to have you back! I really have missed you! Now you are leaving us all in suspense with this thing with your leg.....Please fill us in!!!
Not much news here..another perfect day! We sat outside for awhile this evening and then made taco salad. DH spent some time doing more weeding in the garden. You gotta love a guy that will weed your garden!
Where is everyone??? Of course Bella's out there eating cake!!

[ozres]

Jilly............what pleasant surprise! Glad to see you back on the wagon with us Losers! I'm with the Warden....what's with the "leg" comments? Did I miss something?

Anywho.............HAPPY MOANDAY Everyone! (I felt like I needed to say it, since Stevie didn't say it!) Ya know, since Stevie's moved to NJ, maybe Mondays are not Moandays anymore?

Stevie, you've got to let us know about the interview suit shopping. Pantyhose?? Ugh! I used to wear them every day when I worked corporate. How did I do it? They're so hot in the summer.

Warden Patt....can you send your DH down my way for a little weeding? My DH is off with oldest DS to a Boy Scout meeting. DS is heading to BS camp in Oklahoma next week and tonight is the "bring this/don't bring this" meeting. Let's hope one of them writes stuff down!

Bella, how dare you tempt us with CAKE? Woman, you're vicious! What was the reason for cake?

Michelle.........you're talking about MY neighborhood! We've hiked Lost Valley many, many times. That's one of those places that we always take visitors. The hike's not too hard and the waterfalls and cave are really cool. The last time we crawled through the cave was with 11 people from church.....with only one flashlight. We had 3 adults (DH, me, my church buddy) and 8 kids, crawling through the cave. DH led the way (with the flashlight), the kids were in the middle, and my buddy and I groped and bumped our way all through to the waterfall in the back of the cave! We laughed so hard we cried. Picture this....you're crawling on your hands and knees, in the dark with a little mud. Yipppeee!

I've got a picture of my family and some friends poised on Hawkbill Crag, too. We hiked out there in January a few years ago. The temperature was 23 degrees that day, but the wind wasn't blowing so it was perfect. We saw lots of frozen waterfalls that day. And our refrigeration company takes care of the equipment at the Ozark Cafe, too. Small world, uh?

Personally, we spent the weekend home and my belly's all messed up. I've been eating too much flour. As a result, the cramps and "scatters" (that's what one of our employees calls it!) have gotten me back on track. Why is it so easy to slip back into old habits? Even though we know we're going to be miserable?

OK, where's everybody else? Vi, Connie, Rita, Mitz and the new folks? Time to check in.....

Marla

[BellaHMB]

Marla, I will change my avatar.... It was my dh's cake!

I have been feeling under the weather lately....

Bella

[Stevie]

Marla - thanks for filling in on my MOANDay greeting! Actually, Mondays still are MOANDays since one must be at work, hmmm?

Jilly!!!! Good to see you! I hear ya on the weight gain. I'm there too!

Bella? What kind of "under the weather"? You okay?

Patt - I just asked DA if he likes taco salad and he asked me what it was. I told him, and he said "Interesting"...that's the term he uses if he's not quite sure whether he'll like something or not. He did the same on the loaded baked potato casserole I made and then scarfed it up after I made it. So think we'll give this a try this week.

I'm kinda floundering right now...in all areas of my life. I have no set routine down, which drives me nuts. I am still not signed up for the gym. I have probably 8 loads of laundry still to get finished. The apartment is a mess. I have to get my bill paying back on schedule instead of them lying here and there. We have 2 dinette sets in this little place (one needs to go - we're selling the old one) taking up lots of room. There's stuff that DA still hasn't gone through that needs to either be tossed or put into storage. My sheets need to be changed. I'm not back on track on my WOE and have no cooking done. And we need groceries...badly...

On top of all that, I may be called out to interview on short notice. I met with two recruiting firms yesterday - one was like a sweatshop and the other was a major legal recruiting company. The 2nd one was pretty cool, and they seem to like me for Legal an Executive Assistant so when I got home, I had to tailor my resume for that and send it in to them. Apparently, they have a position that had been filled and when the new person went to be trained with the gal that was exiting the position, she found out all sorts of things that she decided was beneath her (like having to feed this Executive's cat) so she just didn't show up for her first day on the job so this recruiting firm is stuck. I look at it this way....this is all the type of stuff I used to do for Ogre. Bottom line is...if your salary is being paid, then you do what your boss wants you to do. I actually don't mind doing stuff like that...makes life interesting and at least I wouldn't be bored. So I'm hoping that they send me out on that one. It's for a female General Counsel to a corporation or something like that. That's exactly what I'm looking for and it would get me in the door in this area for an Executive Assistant position somewhere else later if I wanted to move on. Those types of positions pay very well!

I learned yesterday also that everyone here requires a Bachelor's degree...which I don't have. That was kind of disheartening. THe first recruiting company sent me around to their separate staff members to see if anyone had anything for me. One of hte lady's made a phone call to one of her contacts to sell me and was shot down...because I don't have a Bachelor's degree. Oh well...I'll hang in there and see what comes up.

I went onto Macy's trying to find hte suits I bought but couldn't. The brown one is by Tahari and is gorgeous, with pinstripes, and zippered pockets and a 2 button jacket. (I"m a Size 10 in a suit which sux) and the 2nd one is a plain black suit with a notched collar and is by Gloria Vanderbilt. Both are skirt suits. And I've already gone through my first pair of pantyhose. My first appointment yesterday was at noon and then I had to hang around in the CIty til the 2nd one at 4:30pm. So I had lunch at a Barnes & Noble cafe and sat and read for a bit and then walked back up to Park Ave for the 2nd one and sat outside nearby until it was time. DIdn't get out of there until 6pm and then did the NY thing...walked about 15 blocks to where the PATH trains are across from the Manhattan Mall. I did bring my ballet slippers to walk in - carried a tote bag for them with my resume stuff inside as well. Worked out well!

Oh...we also saw a pair ofshoes in a store we went to that DA decided I just needed to have.THey are really cool...and the type of shoes you buy and then find an outfit for. THey are burgundy with gold...very unusual and super cool! I've attached a photo (just for you Bella!).

Found a cute cute cute dress shop on the way back, on 6th Avenue, which was also very reasonably priced. Didn't have time to check out a lot, but got a card so I can remember where it is and go back with DA sometime while we're in the City.

That's about all that's going on here. DA is in the shower and getting ready to get out of here and I'm going to throw on some clothes and start a couple of loads of laundry. I figure if I get 2-3 loads done each day, I'll get caught up completely. Wanna hit the grocery store too, as we are out of drinking water (NJ water is nasty!).

Oh yeah...TOM is here as well, on top of everything else, which probably accounts for why I'm feeling more down today. Hopefully he'll be outta here by this weekend and the July 4th celebration. Which reminds me, I need to call Sally and see if she and Mike are having their party still - I haven't touched base with her since I've been back from Texas.

Okay - must get up and start running. I went to bed earlier than DA last night who had to get onto a conference call with Australia at 11pm and I was dead asleep by the time he got to bed about an hour later. Didn't even hear him come in. I've started to go to bed first and have my "reading time" like I'm used to, so that's one thing that's back on track for me anyway.

Ciao for now and I'll touch base later if I get a chance.

[BellaHMB]

Stevie, I know you will create a fantastic job for yourself! Focus on what it is that YOU
really want! You do have those new shoes afterall

I'm not sure what I have (thanks for asking) but the symptoms include really low energy
and a headache. Nothing serious. Tonight we are meeting friends at the SF Giants game,
have 5th row seats by 3rd base! I love going out for fun events like this, and it's been a couple of years. Then tomorrow I have an appt. with a client- we are working on creating a new color system! (more on that later). The rest of the week I have off, and I need to start preparing for my July 27th annual workshop that I present for clients (its on "relationships") followed by preparing for my Alaska cruise in 8 weeks now!

Oh and did I mention that on the Alaska cruise we are taking a Zodiac boat trip for whale watching and also a rubber float boat through an Eagle and Wildlife preserve? I am SO
excited! And you know ladies, it is so wonderful to be heading out on an adventure with all this weight gone!! I ordered a new coat for the trip as my heavy coat was down filled which is not good for Alaska rain. So I ordered the 3 in 1 squall jacket which has a zip out
fleece jacket which you can wear inside the jacket or alone! And a size small

Jilly so nice to see you again!

I changed my avatar.....this one is with my adopted Daughter (by choice) Holly, who used to be my son's gf for 4 years. She was bellydancing!

Bella

[Patt3]

Hello ladies!
Still no woard from JIlly...hmmm....she is keeping us guessing!
Hot one here today! I'm not complaining because it's the first hot one we've had! Our DVR box broke down and the company sent a new one. My DH is running up and down stairs trying to get it hooked up and working. It doesn't seem to be cooperating! He did finally gt the laptop working, but I think he's had it with technology right now!
I've been busy getting my ducks in a row for the long Holiday weekend at the lake. Lots of lists and packing!

Marla...no dear, I will not send my DH down there to weed! I don't want to wear him out! I know a good thing when I have it!

Stevie..can't believe DA has never heard of a taco salad! Make it and see what he says! You do sound like you ar flundering. You, the one who worked full time and managed to accomplish about 10 other things every day! You'll get into a routine and things will go smoother! You have had a lot of change in your life lately! Tht's a bummer about being written off for not having a BA. But you will find what fits for you. I know you will.
The shoes!! Can you walk in them??? I'd break my neck!

Bella...hope you enjoy the game tonight! Your Alaska cruise sounds great. I have lots of friends/family who have done one and raved about it! Isn't it fun gtting ready for a vacation?
OK...more little chores to get done arund here! See ya!

[banalien]

Originally Posted by Stevie

Have been online registering with a personnel agency with whom I have an appointment on Monday. Decided, after seeing that it's 6 pages long, to continue with that registration over the weekend as I need to get up here in a minute and look over DA's clothes for tonight and iron them if needed, then get my butt in the shower. We're leaving right at 5:30pm to go into the City for an early dinner and then go to the ship that's having the dance cruise.

Link to the cruise is:
Affairs Afloat - New York City's Largest Sailing Night Clubs!

It'll be pretty cool! And I have my new dress to wear that is empire waisted and very forgiving (i.e. I don't have to hold the tummy in that has blossomed over the past 2 months!). DA's coworker, Reg and his GF are going with us and Reg has his car with him so we won't have to take the PATH train.

Have been pretty good this week, getting back into my groove. Slipped up just once - last night had the orzo that came with my entree at a Greek restaurant in the West Village that DA used to always go to. HAve hit the gym a couple of times as well but sore as all get out this morning so skipped it today. Will go in the morning though and then DA and I are hitting the mall - gotta find me a suit, a couple of blouses and a pair of pumps. Oh yes....also panty hose! HATE wearing those, especially in the summer!

Have one appointment on Monday at Noon and another at 4:30pm so who knows what the he!! I'll do in between. I can't see myself coming all the way back to NJ and then going back for the second one so will have to find a place to roost (i.e. nearest Barnes & Noble probably). The appointment at 4:30 is with Robert Half Legal that contacted me today and I felt comfortable talking to the gal that called. Much more so than the guy that called me for the other appointment. We shall see. HAve to get my references together this weekend as well and prepare all in advance so I'm not scurrying around. DA said today that he had noticed how down I was getting and to not let it bother me - it's quite the norm not to get any responses for a while. He's right - I'm just not used to being in the job market is all. I'm ready to get back to work!

Met DA for lunch and had a curried chicken salad lc wrap - ate only 1/2 of it as I don't wanna bloat up for tonight. We sat outside this specialty market with a couple of his co-workers in the sun but it's hot now. Think rain is going to becoming in soon. No problem with the boat though as it is enclosed.

Patt - THe tiny keyboard is what is off-putting to me as far as laptops go. In fact, yesterday I went and bought a split keyboard (which is what I'm used to) and hooked it up to the leptop just so I can type on the dang thing! At least from home, I can use it! As for summer stuff, I was looking for a one piece bathing suit to start doing laps at the pool in the gym and couldn't find one at all. Will look this weekend at the mall while there.

Michelle - Got your PM and will respond shortly.

Bella - Scallops sound good! I have some in the fridge that I need to do something with this weekend.

Must run, my sistahs.....shower time! Will see you tomorrow!

Hey Stevie!
If you've never registered with an employment agency before, be prepared to be there for at least 2-3 hours. They make you take all kinds of tests like for Word, Excel, etc. to see what your skill level is. Everytime I registered with an agency here in Fl. it always took awhile. Just a heads up. I even registered with Robert Half here in Fl. They're upscale as far a their clients go. They wanted no business casual when I was temping for them. That all may have changed, tho since this was at least 5 years ago...Good luck and have fun on your cruise!

[banalien]

Today was Pete's birthday and we had our cake and ice cream and ate it too! I need to focus and get back on track so I don't mess up all the good results I've been having.

Pete took Jake for a ride on the motorcycle on Sunday, up and down the block. He was so excited. I filmed them with my camera and if I can figure out how to upload a video I'll let y'all see it. I also taped Pete opening his BDay cards. I got him one that has a tiger on the front playing the piano and when you move the card it changes so he really looks like he's jamming on the keyboard and then when you open it it plays "Great Balls of Fire" by Jerry Lee Lewis. Of course, Jake was enamored of that one and wanted it immediately! I also got Pete a bulldog card. Shows a pic of a bulldog with a halo of flower petals around his face and a very sour expression on that face, too. Then when you open it it says, 'Happy Birthday, Sunshine!" I cracked up in the store when I got that card b/c lately Pete has been a major grouch. I also signed the card "to ARCHIE (Archie Bunker) from "Edith".

Stevie _ Am commiserating with you re: TOM cramps. I had such bad cramps today I had to lie down with the heating pad. I hate this peri-mental pause as one of my other GF's calls it! If the TOM's would just stop at least I could deal, KWIM? Love the shoes, BTW! Very smart and sexy!

Marla - Bummer on all the clean up you had to do! Hope they find out what is wrong with your poor DH. It sounds like there could be something else besides the lyme that is messing him up. I LMAO over the "buzzing" luggage! I'm gonna have to hide my toy (yes, I only have one! ) since I keep it in the bedside table and I can picture Jake walking out of the bedroom with it one day! Re: your tomato plant. It should be fine if you replanted it. They can take a lot of damage. You can also bury the majority of the stem in the ground. It makes for a better root system.

Patt - I hate weeding! Have you ever tried weed and feed? It has fertilizer and weed killer all in one. I think your supposed to put it in the soil before planting. I haven't tried it but would if I didn't have this raised bed for all my veggies and no weeds. My tomatoes are going like gangbusters and I've picked at least 10 large green peppers! I need a good authentic recipe for salsa. Have never made my own but this one Mexican rest. we used to frequent had the best I've ever tasted! Would like to know what they put in theirs...Any ideas on salsa, Marla? You eat a lot of Southwest, don't you?
Patt, I couldn't believe that you can't find summer clothing with the Mall of America on your doorstep! Come and see me in FL! We have summer stuff all year!

Michelle - Good to see you, hon! Glad you had a super vacay! It sure sounded like a lot of fun and sightseeing! I don't thin you could have gotten me near that cave, tho. I'm way to claustrophobic for that. I would have been pulled out of there gibbering like an idiot! Hope to see you on plan soon! Let's help keep each other in line, whadda ya say??

Jilly! So happy you are posting again! AND that you are back on induction! Better let the girls know about that cyst thingy b4 they go nuts worrying about you!

Connie _ If you're reading I just wanted to let you know that you are in my thoughts and prayers!

So, it's almost 2am and I gotta hit the hay! If any of you ladies know anything about uploading a video, please let me know. I want to put the motorcycle ride and the birthday card vid up.

Ciao for now!

[Stevie]

Happy Hump Day....although there ain't gonna be none of that here with TOM in the house! Actually, Mitz, the cramps aren't too bad this time and it's gone back to "normal" it appears...at least for this month. I hear ya on the cramps though sistah! Sometimes a heating pad is the only thing that works. The cruise was a good time (although the boat was very crowded!). As for salsa, are you talkign fresh salsa here, or more like a cooked salsa? With fresh salsa, all you have to do is chop up tomatoes, onions, lots of cilantro, and use the serrano chiles, instead of the jalapenos - they have better flavor. Then, put it all in a bowl, and add just a wee bit of Margarita mix (not kidding!) - that's my secret ingredient for salsa fresca. Otherwise you can use freshly squeexed lime - not too much though. Let it set for a bit and scoop it on up onto lc Pita chips.

Patt - Thanks for your encouraging words. I know that I'm probably just being impatient, but I think, in a way, you've nailed down what's bothering me most - and that is not having a job! I've worked since I was 19, for crying out loud, and not working is about to drive me crazy and then there's the fear that I won't ever find anything. I'm trying to chill out though, starting today. And you're also correct in that it's a routine thing. Don't have one right now. I did buy ground beef yesterday to make taco salads this week sometime. Yum! But forgot the salsa so will have to get some, since I use that with the sour cream as a "dressing" for the salad. As for the shoes...Yes!!! I can walk in them, even did a pirouette in the store while DA and the sales staff laughed.

Bella? Did you have a good time out at the game? Hope you're feeling better. That Alaskan cruise sounds like a fun time. I wouldn't mind doing something like that...er..I take that back. I would like to visit Alaska but wouldn't want the cruise part - I'm not a cruise fan - I think I would go nuts on a boat for longer than 2 days.

Connie? Are you okay hon? What's going on with you? Hope you are in good health and everything's okay. Please let us know.

Marla - I reread your last post and started laughing, I was so miserable yesterday and needed to vent that I didn't pay enough attention to it. The "Scatters" huh? Hope you're getting back on track. Time for me to do so as well.

I confirmed with our friends for the July 4th holiday in Marlboro, New Jersey so we're going down there - they have a gathering every 4th. Am going to make the Rotinia Greek pasta salad with Dreamfields and take it with me. She said I don't have to bring anything, but I want to take something that is summery. I have one box in the cupboard and will grab another one and make a big bathc on Thursday so it melds. Rather than use George Stella's dressing suggestions, though, I have the Greek dressing mix from Penzey's that is my fave and just gonna make that up and pour it all over and mix it in. Yummy! And low carb! I did confirm they'll just be grilling so meat and pasta salad sounds good to me!

I just got an email from a recruiter - I had posted my resume online so I have a meeting set with her on Monday. Did not sound very promising and I've already gone to their website and did not see any positions that were remotely interesting but oh well...it's worth a shot! Never know what will come up. Also posted 2 resumes with a recruiting company I'm interested in, as they have a lot of Administrative type positions. Will apply for several of their jobs today in the hopes that one of their recruiters will call. I've told these people I am fine in a temp job for now too - I just want some money to start coming in.

Haven't talked to my mom in almost a week, since I was scurrying around since Friday on the job hunt so have to call her today. She'll have a big chip on her shoulder since she hasn't heard from me, but oh well. She has my phone number if she wants to call me.

Dinner last night was breakfast - sausage, bacon, fried eggs and sauteed tomatoes - it was yummy! Tonight is going to be a whole roasted chicken from that new grocery store down the street, and I'm finally making the cauli faux-po salad. I got some frozen cauliflower yesterday from the store and will try to make it with that. I tried doing it last week with fresh, but then cooked the cauli too much. With the frozen, I'm going to cook it just a little bit and then put it on a baking sheet in the oven to dry it out a bit before using it in the salad. I did this once before and it turned out great. DA is having to get used to eating cauliflower a lot I think...thank goodness he likes it!

I have another couple of loads of laundry I want to put in this morning - did 3 yesterday and also did some straightening up (vacuuming, changing bedsheets, cleaning some of hte kitchen. It was good - kept me busy. Last night we called on the delivery of our bar - he hadn't received any email confirmations. Apparently, it's on backorder til August - of course, they didn't tell us that when we ordered it! We went online last night to see if we could find it anywhere else and when we called one place, they said they had to call the manufacturer for the info. So it's being drop-shipped and it's backed up at the manufacturer. At one site where we saw it, it's now being offered as a set with chairs that match it. Wouldn't ya know! I was hoping to get it in so that I can get the rest of the stuff into the kitchen cabinets but it looks as if it's going to have to wait a while. Bummer!

Must run and throw the laundry in before it gets busy down there. Also, Jazzy is just going bonkers as she wants me to take her toy down and play with her. She's also pi$$ed at me because I won't let her into the closet which is her new hidey hole. DA said this morning that when we get rid of thie extra table, we're bringing in my cedar chest for behind the loveseat and she'll have her fave hidey hole back (she always slept the day away underneath it at my house).

You guys have a good day and I'll check back and post some more later.

Ciao!

[BellaHMB]

Stevie you remind me of how much work there is to do all the time even when
we aren't officially holding down a job! Imagine when we are...!

Bella
who is feeling better, the Giants won last night!

[Patt3]

A big happy Wednesday to everyone! It's kind of Friday for me! I will leave for the lake tomorrow. DH is laready there with the 2 cats and they are all having fun! I didn't have such a fun day at work. I had to do a Performance review for someone who works for me and it wasn't pleasant. She has many good traits, but has some work to do on interpersonal stuff. she wasn't too receptive and left angry. And I take that home with me. I hate that stuff!
I will beleaving tomorrw morning or the lake until nexr Wed. I will miss all of you guys, but with the new laptaop I may be able to check in Monday or Tuesday. That would seem so fun to me!

Mitz...Happy Bday to Pete! The cards sound so cute! I hope things are a bit better for you two! I do use the Preen and Green ( which I think is like weed and feed) But being surrounded by woods I think all these dag weeds just will still creep in here!
I love to make Salsa and I make it a lot like STevie...except add garlic! I have one of those Salsa makers I got at the state fair and it works great! This is so much better than the canned stuff! MOA is a great place to shop and you can normally find whatever you want ( or didn't know you wanted!) But here, after the 4th of July all the fall stuff will come out even though it is still 90 here! all the "back to school" stuff will be here next week~
So I guess if I need more summer c.othes I will be heading to your place...get the couch dusted off!
Stevie.. You and I like the same salsa..except I alo thought in some habernero peppers...really HOT I like iot very hot nad spicy! .

Good for you on being able to walk on those really high shoes. It reminded me of a date I had in my 30's. I had on these very high heels with open backs (back then we called them come f*%$ me shoes!! ) we were at a piano bar and they played some song that was a "soft shoe" type song. They got me up to dance to it in those crazy shoes! Could not do that anymore, but I'm glad I did it when I could! I dohave a dance background and could do allkinds of fancy moves....now I'm just glad to get up and down the stairs!! Those of you who are "hot" now...do enjoy it!
HOpe you all have a fun and safe 4th of July weekend! Remember to support our troops...BRING THEM HOME!
HOpe to check in with you all early next week! (Please excuse all the typos!)

[jillywilly]

Hi girls,
Didn't mean to be suspenseful, I've been down with a migraine for the past 2 nights and most of today, but am starting to feel better so thought I would jump on real fast.
Thank you so much for the warm welcome back! I have a loss already and am very encouraged! I ddin't weigh this morning but yesterday I was down 2 and know it is more now. I can feel it.....
No indies yet, sorry I haven't been able to read all the posts so I will catch up hopefully after dinner. I just kind of skimmed, but will read them later and do indies if my head will let me.
Ok, my leg. I don't know if any of you remember me mentioning a lump in my leg before...(hight upper thigh, they say my groin) it's been at least a year and a half, well it got bigger and harder and I got insurance after I became permanent so I went in for the works. I had all kinds of blood work etc, as well as asked about the lump on my leg. I have been picked and poked and now cut into to find out what it is. It turned out to be a lump just a bit smaller than a golf ball! They still didn't know what it was til they got the pathology reports back after my "lumpectomy" (she held it in her hand and still had no idea!) So the pathologist told her that it is a "desmoid fibromatosis tumor". It's a sarcoma but it's not cancer and it will grow back b/c it is aggressive. She also found out from the pathologist that she didn't get it all, so that she would have to go back in and get the rest. Well, long story still long HA! I asked for a 2nd opinion so she sent all of my stuff down to UofW to have a dr down there look at it and consult with her, she said that she did more research on it and realized that it is rare enough that she may never in her life see another one and she is not comfortable doing surgery on me again and afraid that she will have to re-excise yet again. She is worried that she could disable me in some way or make me have this big hole in my leg that doesn't need to be there. She said I'm young and actve and still ful use of my leg, so she completely took her hands off me and canceled my surgery that we had scheduled for last Thursday and now I am set up to go down to Seattle at UW medical ctr to see Dr. Byrd, he is a cancer dr who specializes in cases like mine. I am going down on Aug 14 with an apt on the 15th and possible surgery on the 2st. It has been a real time for us the last 2 mos or so.....
Sorry this was long, and it was all about me and I apologize for it being so long.....there is so much to the story!
I will close for now so I can make us a bite of dinner and come back if I can and read up and post indies. I have a lot of catching up to do!!!
((HUGGSS)) to you all!!

[Stevie]

Guys - haven't read the posts (Jilly & Patt, I'll read and respond later) but wanted to tell you what's happening here. Things started popping for me yesterday - got calls from 5 recruiters and one of the recruiters I talked to Monday called me and set up a phone interview yesterday afternoon. She called back last night and hte company wants me to meet with the General COunsel at Noon today. It's a commute to the City so am getting ready in a minute, jump in the shower, etc.. Pay is fantastic, it's a research/polling company (French-owned) and has offices all over the world. I'll be based out of Manhattan.

Wish me luck! This is a fantastic opportunity!

Will tell all this afternoon!

[cocosmama]

Good Luck Stevie!!!!

Not much going on here....been busy outside doing yard work...planted a few more flowers, got rid of some weeds I hate pulling weeds so we bought some weed killer to spray on them so they hopfully won't come back, DH said he would spray them but he hasn't yet We have trumpet vines here and we've been trying to kill those things off for 17 years...there has to be something out there that will kill them


We'll be watching the fireworks here for 4th of July....and DS18s birthday is the 5th, he doesn't know what he wants to do yet.

Have a Great 4th of July everyone

Connie I hope your doing OK!!

[Stevie]

Happy 4th of July Everyone! Happy Birthday America! And Happy Anniversary to me & DA! It's been 4 years since we first "got together" in person.

Well, the interview went well (I thought) and HR said they would call ny recruiter so now it's a wait-and-see - that will be the hardest part. But I would love this job. It is a laid back office, dress is business casual (like my old firm), the office is on 3 floors directly across from the Ed Sullivan theater. Benefits are awesome too, they start on the first day, and there is also a gym membership discount. You get 12 paid holidays a year, 3 weeks' vacation, 5 sick days, 401k, life insurance, etc....everything one could want. Hours are also 10-6pm! I think I did well. I only met with the General Counsel for about 20 minutes as she was in between meetings but I think I could work for her. She showed me briefly what she was talking about in needing to get her organized (i.e. organizing her OUtlook oflders, etc.). I told her about having to go back to Texas from the 12th - 18th and she pulled it up on calendar and said "Well, I have a temp right now and I could use her and you could start on the 19th"...so that was a very promising remark. We shall see. The job isn't that much different from working for Ogre except the benefits are better. Oh yeah..I would have to take the PATH train from NJ, and then transfer to a subway for a few stops to get there. I did the Subway thing back yesterday afternoon and it was my first time on a NYC subway since I was a child. DA and I never used the subway when we went into the City, doing more walking, and taking cabs when it was a long way. The other interview for Monday is for Verizon's Legal Department. I am SOOOOOO keeping my fingers crossed on that first one though!

Today we're going to a friend's house in Marlboro, NJ - I"m making Dreamfield's Greek Rotini salad to take with me. Even though she said I didn't need to bring anything, I'll feel better doing so, as it's our first visit to their house.

Patt - Actually, I call them "FMP"s for "**** me Pumps" or, "Ho Shoes". Never knew you had a dance background! How cool! I've never had formal training (does Topless dancing count???) but I have always been able to dance - got the ability to swing those hips... Unfortunately, like you, it has gotten a lot harder, even with my working out, Doesn't seem as if I am as flexible as I used to be and Boy am I ever sore in the morning after a night of dancing now! You're probably at the lake right now and hope you get your laptop up and running. I didn't know you took your cats with you! Jazzy loved it when we were at the cabin in Tennessee. As for salsa...how the heck could I forget garlic? Probably because garlic in anything is a given for me. Cannot do without it!

Bella - glad you're feeling better! And yes...life is always hectic!

Jilly - How awful! So does this Dr. Byrd's opinion concur with your first doctor and/or the pathologist as to exactly what it is and how to treat it? I have to say that I actually admire your doctor if she was as forthright as you described (or is there a bunch of BS that you had to deal with in between?) in deciding it was too complicated a case for her to handle. I think I would much prefer a doctor to tell me that than try to handle a condition for which they aren't qualified for. THere are many that proceed right ahead. DO not ever worry about posting about you!!!! Indies are fine and good but not mandatory, you know that! So no apologizing needed.

Rita - I hate weeding - it was one of the things that makes me not good for groundskeeping so can't give you advice on trumpet vines. to DS18! At that age, I would suspect a credit card and trip to the mall? Or are ya'll going to celebrate in some way?

YOOOHOOO CONNIE!!!!! <Stevie now standing back to see if that gets Connie's attention>

It's now half-ten and I must get up and start making that salad so it can meld a bit before we go. We're expected any time after 2pm so I figure to get there around 2:30 or so. White shorts and a babydoll top is what I'm wearing, if I can still get into the shorts, that is. Otherwise, it's a white jean skirt, although shorts would be more comfy. The babydoll top hides the midriff well... and besides, it's a bra top so no bra necessary so that's even better!

I'll touch base tomorrow, after DA and I figure out where we are going to go to dinner. Probably to the Art deco restaurant across the street - where we had our first "Date" - Shanghai lobster,,,,Yum!

Ciao you guys!

[BellaHMB]

Good morning and Happy 4th to ALL! We are battling fires here in California (not near me thank goodness) and in Half Moon Bay they are still planning fireworks about 1/2 mile from my house. Last year we watched them from my office window. Beautiful, but my dogs have a really hard time with the noise! So I am giving them rescue remedey tonight in the hope that it will calm them some. It's all the loud pops and booms....

Stevie, I sure hope they give you this job! How great that would be for you!

Has anyone heard from Viola? Connie?

Jilly, good that your doctor figured out that she wasn't the right person! We will keep
you in our prayers...

Everyone else,

Bella

[BellaHMB]

New Thread Ladies!

Drop Some Weight in 2008 July 7-21