Penpal match? Just turned 50, want to lose 75!

[Suji]

Hallo Dahlinks!

My knitting friend just left. I didn't get a whole lot of knitting done since we were talking a lot and I kept having to undo my work. Oh well! (grin)
Great job Leslie! Once this week is over, perhaps I can get back to losing weight again! Gee whiz!

That pic is in the front of my farmhouse looking west at sunset taken this past weekend after we had the 2/14 snow/ice storm. I took a few nice ones that day since the light on the snow was so beautiful.

My SIL is a nice lady but we don't click on that "I'd sure like to spend more time with you" level. She's 13 years older and takes on kind of an adult to child persona with my DH and me in subtle ways. She can be fun loving, but tends to be quite private. I'm not close with any of my 4 SIL's--never really have gotten to know them due to distance or time spent in their company.

I have GOT to dye my hair this week--it is getting a streak of grey a mile wide and I hate how that looks. Lucky the person whose skin tone looks good with gray or white or black. I am definitely *not* one of them.

Haven't strayed from my diet at all (no surprise-at home I have total control) today despite making angel food cake with black currant sauce for my company.

Garden club--travelled to a totally new area and met with about 2/3 of the usual 25 ladies who meet at the general monthly meeting. We heard alecture given by a local professor discussing the iconographic symbolism in floral paintings with special focus in the Reformation and Counter Reformation in the Netherlands. Then a general meeting followed in which I fervently wished that this was a group that strongly embraced the internet and e-mail since people were scribbling frantically to take notes about all the upcoming things they could potentially do. Part of the issue is that there are many women there who are an older generation by 20 years+ and a much smaller coterie my age. The former don't use computers much and if they have e-mail check it once every 3 months. (Yikes!) However, I now have a mentor to "put me forward" at a future meeting where I can officially join. Theyhave yearly themes where many meetings cover various facets of something like "Flower Arrangement" or growing miniature plants or some other theme. THen there are competitions held at regional and state levels with awards and such for best displays for those themes. There are also volunteer events, home and garden tours, educational courses for certification in landscaping, judging, etc. That's as much as I know right now but you can be as busy or just dabble here or there as you like.

I put my seeds under 16 hours of light today--would you believe that my brussels sprouts and broccoli have already germinated in a day 1/2?!

TTFN!
Sue

[Pam in TX]

Morning all,

Just a quick post to let you know that I am still around.... As mentioned earlier this week at work is extremely hectic.... 12 hour days are just not my thing.... Today will be a really long one....

Have managed to stay on plan with the eating and drinking water.... Yesterday I think I drank at least 4 liters...

Sue, those pictures make the area look so peaceful.... Beautiful....

Will catch up with you tomorrow....

[Suji]

Hi Pam and everyone who has not yet checked in,

Today is bookclub and I have another 200+ pages to review before I go this afternoon. So, that's how I'll be spending the morning.

It was so cold this morning with the wind up--it blew our stash of empty salt buckets all over the yard. The cat insisted he must go OUT and looked just a tad surprised when the wind blew his fur backwards and up around his head. He didn't stay in that one spot for long, I tell you!

This new pic is looking west up Orchard Lane toward the neighbor's barn in PA at sunset.

Still not drinking enough water!

I will check in later to read any posts.
Sue

[Dreamcometru]

Hi Pam and Sue:

Sue: Another beautiful pic. I can't keep up with all the activities you do. It's awesome. I hope to find some outside of work after DS leaves the nest. I just got a brochure from the local community college about classes for no credit. Some of them look really fun. I can't squeeze it in right now, but hopefully in a year or two.

Pam: I can relate to the busy days. I don't work 12 hours, but my workload for today is awful. Good for you for staying on track. I'm hanging in there too. My scale isn't nice to me, but I've learned I can't trust it.

I had a lunch date yesterday with a friend I haven't seen in a few years. This is the second time she stood me up. I would get to the restaurant and wait 10 or 15 minutes and then call and get the oh I'm so sorry speech. This has happened twice. To meet with her, I tell my walking partner I can't go and I don't bring my lunch. Then waiting around 15 minutes takes that much away from my lunch hour. Needless to say, I didn't reschedule. How frustrating.

I couldn't make it to the gym yesterday. I usually go after work when I can't walk. So I did an exercise video at home. Surprisingly, I really worked up a sweat. My DH and DS laughed at me. I guess I did look really stupid


Solo contest is tomorrow for DS. He's determined to up his score from two weeks ago. He's not intent on placing, just scoring higher. He kind of didn't do to well at his run through last night, so we'll see.

I just got an email from a client I need to respond to so I gotta go. Have a great day everyone. Hopefully I can find time to post this weekend.

Leslie

[Pam in TX]

Morning,

Another late day yesterday.... but will calm down somewhat before the big testing cycle in April...

Have been doing a fat fast the past 2 days and the scale is down 4 lbs... Drank between 3 and 4 liters of water, and made it to CURVES....

Made Linda Sues Coney Island Chilidog pie last night for dinner... It is really pretty yummy... I used ground turkey and turkey franks instead of the beef and it dropped the calories by about 100... DH liked it also...

Sue: you consistently amaze me with all your activities... You are a whirlwind of activities... What book are you reading? I just finished one by Mary Kay Andrews.... am getting ready to start a new one by her... I only have one SIL, we get along but aren't "buddies"....

Leslie: It is frustrating when people are so inconsiderate with time... I teach computer classes in the evenings for adult education programs... Am taking this year off... GL to your DS this weekend....

Off to get more coffee.... and then spend a little time on a wedding video project... I need to have it finished by the end of March...

Have a good weekend everyone....

[Suji]

Leslie and Pam!
Hey there and happy Saturday. Today is FIL's birthday, so we'll head south DC direction later this morning.

Newest book is going to be THe Painted Drum by Louise Erdrich. We just finished Animal Dreams written by Barbara Kingsolver. I enjoyed it--she's very pictorial set in AZ.

I agree with Pam, Leslie. That was definitely inconsiderate. Your friend must be a scatterbrain. I sure feel an obligation when I've told someone I'll be present!

Leslie, I wish my son had an inner motivation like yours does. He lacks confidence and it isn't something I know how to teach, having lacked it as a child.

I will feel the need to crack down on my diet all this coming week. There's nothing scheduled with food, so! WHen Spring "energies" arrive, my own start ramping up. I'll be doing so much in the gardens! Also then I think I'll join Curves since I am not up to speed for a regular gym. I will start setting fitness goals then. In Winter, my biorhythms do not wish to cooperate. Winter is for quiet, less strenuous activites (setting aside shovelling and axes to dig out one's car!!!). In Spring, I would like to join a bird watching group and a hiking group with low-moderate level hiking trips too. I am still toying with getting back to horses if I can get my mojo back and my sense of overly worried self preservation to take a vacation...

I like setting goals--can you tell? :-)

Well, off to get everything together for road tripping.

Talk to you later. I sure hope you have enjoyable weekends!

Sue

[kayan]

Morning all

Been working again 14 on Thur and 16 Yesterday. I have the wekend off then work Mon, tue, and Wed. so will be missng in action then.

I have stuck to induction and my pants are fitting again, I hope I can stay focused. I am using my trip in March as an incentive to keep on task (No ice cream). When I go on these trips, I do stay low carb when eating, with the exception of a "Dessert" that I allow my self. But, although I have plenty to "drink" I do find my self low on the water intake if you know what I mean

Leslie: Congrats on a size 14 before you know it it will be a size 12. Its nice when co-workers comment onyour weight loss.

How was your son's competition?

Sue: My goodness friend, You make me tired just reading your post, Knitting club, garden club, book club, seedlings planted. More power to you. Today, is just a veg out day for me. I did go and get my hair cut at 8:30 this am. What was I thinking when I made that appt!!!! DD2 is due home any time now. She went to LA to visit a friend on school break and her flight was delayed twice at JFK last evening so didn't get into Manchester, NH till 1:30 am so she spend the night at a cousin and driving up this am about 2.5 hr drive

Sue: I can wait for real fresh veggies. The produce in the stores are terrible this time of year.

Pam great work with the fat fast, my hat is off to you. I couldn't do it when I tried

everyone have a good day and will catch you later

Kayan

[sleepysue07]

Happy Saturday everybody!

I just have a minute to post. DS2 is in a baseball tournament today and I am in between games. After striking out twice, he hit one over the fence! Yeah!
Last night he pitched a no hitter for the first time ever. Yeah again! He is really coming into his own this year because he's not in his brother's shadow now since DS1 decided not to play baseball again. I have to run out to a little town about twenty miles away and check on DS1 who is running in a track meet today too. I wouldn't be going now, except that I am afraid he may have spent all of his cash taking his girl out last night, and I fear he may be starving. As all you moms know, I can't have that. He probably needs some Chap Stick too because we are having 30-40 mph winds out here today! On these Texas prairies there isn't anything to slow it down.

Leslie, I am so envious of your size 14! I remember that as being the last time I really felt good and had energy. That is what I am aiming for in the short term. I would like to get there before August. I understand about your flaky friend. I have one too, and I have been so aggrivated over the last few months that I am really beginning to discount our friendship. She always has a lame excuse as to why she can't make it. I have stopped inviting her to do anything, and when she say's she'll do something I never believe her anymore.

South Beach is not for me. I am trying to find another plan. I need more fiiber. I know that is hard to do with a low carb diet, but it is imperitive at this point.

Sue, all of your activities are wearing me out just thinking about them. Do you ever take any time to just rest anymore?

Hi to Sherry, Pam, Kayan, and Fern. Is Fern still around?

Well, have a great weekend everybody!

Carolyn

[Dreamcometru]

Hello Ladies: It's good to hear everybody. DS did okay at solo this morning. He got a lower ranking than two weeks ago, but higher than most freshmen, so he was okay with that. He's off to the golf course tomorrow and tryouts start Monday.

I wasn't able to walk this morning so I did a portion of an exercise video until I ran out of time. I will walk the golf course tomorrow.

Hi Carolyn: It's so rainy here, baseball and softball haven't had much of a chance to get started. There have been tryouts going on, but no league play until after spring break. I really miss those days. What's the difference between South Beach and Atkins? I've never really gotten into it. My scale says I haven't lost anything his week so far, but I still have sat, sun and monday to go. I always get to anxious and want to see that weight come off.

Kayan: Way to stick with induction. The first two weeks were the most difficult. I'm sure you can stick to it until your trip. Where are you going in March? Perhaps you already said and I can't remember. Is it a spring break thing? I hope I can take a day off over spring break to take the kiddos skiing. They've been asking and the snow has been dumping on the mountains.

Sue: It surely helps having goals. Mine are a little far fetched, but I will make it. Another 60 lbs, dragon boating, the bridge pedal, plus tons of stuff around the house. Hey, after you read the Painted Drum, let me know what you think. It's been recommended so I'm curious.

Pam: The coney island recipe sounds great. I'm going to look it up. Glad you made it to Curves. I always feel so much better when I exercise.

DS just called and I need to go pick him up. Have a great rest of the day.

Leslie

[kayan]

Morning All

Carolyn: A homerun how great, that really must of boosted his confidence after striking out 2. Its hard to imagine
schools playing baseball now ours don't start for another 2 months. Its hard to play in 20 degree weather (if we are lucky) and snow covering the fields.

Carolyn, have you flax seed meal for more fiber? I sprinkle it on our salads and its so good for you with the omega 3's. Dh and I have a large salad almost every night that I am home.

Leslie: When I was losing my weight I never weighed my self. I just used clothes as my guide and kept tracked of getting smaller sizes and then how tight/lose they were. I still don't know what I weigh and still use the tight/ lose pants to go by. At the Dr.s office I close my eyes and tell them "Don't tell me".. Its been over 6 years since I know what a scale said. I use to be so addicted to what the scale would say and when it didn't display what I thought it should I would sabotage my self.
March 16-19 I am going to Atlantic City, N. J. with a girlfriend for a long weekend. We usually go away a couple of times a year for a couple of days . Both our husbands don't like to travel so this works out great. Its not spring break but St. Patricks day. My girlfriend likes to celebrate that, and that weekend I do have off from work. I work every 3rd weekend so that is the main reason for going that weekend. Atlantic City is 9-10 hours from where I live. We will leave about 3-4 am and drive down. the only downer is that I work 14 hours on Thursday. so not much sleep that night.

Room service here we come

Sue: good morning to you

I have also made the coney island pie and enjoyed it

Hope everyone has a good day and makes good choices.

Kayan

[Suji]

Carolyn! (Hug) Good to see your post! Heya Kayan and Leslie too!

I watched my son dueling in fencing yesterday- He will end his beginner level next weekend and go on to the next level. It was all quite interesting watching them learn the judging aspect during other players bouts too. Next week they will be harnessed up to an electrical system which will record when a score against the opponent will be made.

As I knew--this week was going to be a no lose week and I really insulted my system yesterday. I kind of wanted to know what it would be like to go back to my fearless old way of eating while at FIL's 87th birthday. So, there were all kinds of sandwiches made by the caterers and I ate the bread. There was a pasta salad--had that. There was a fruit sald-ditto. And, my gosh! The cookies--all kinds- had some of those too. They tasted wonderful-BUT-what an interesting reaction I had afterwards. First, by 5 o'clock I was INCREDIBLY sleepy--I could not stay awake. Then, I began to get some upper-gastro issues and strange taste sensations in my mouth. I really cannot handle sugar like that. Maybe *some whole grains* in the future, but definitely an eye opening experiment.

Today--I am back on track and will be working all that out of my system all week. Now, I know.

Kayan--I LOVE planting things. Since the 70's, I have really liked working with indoor plants and once I was married with kids in the 'burbs I like perennials, bulbs and veggies. Now with the farm--add fruiting plants and annuals!

Carolyn--I have plenty of time to rest. The activity that takes up the most time is book club since I have to procure, read and study the material in order to contribute. Everything else is mostly once a month and for a given set of hours including any commute time. And sub-activities are on an as I choose basis. For example--the knitting I mostly do a little bit of here and there. I'm working on making my first set of mittens. When my friend comes by, we'll look at what I've done and she'll pull out her project or a new book to show me and we'll do a bit more meanwhile talking about other stuff. Very low key. So, I have lots of time to spend on the 'net should I choose or to just fool around with whatever. Just think of it as lots of choices with no stress (except bookclub prep and that's all my college background inciting me there ). Of course when all my live plants start arriving at Meadowbrook--then there'll be some running around like mad!!! And digging!

Leslie-what's dragon boating and bridge pedal???

Kayan--I know! I never let them tell me my weight. On the bad side--had I know how far gone I was, I would have started on LC sooner!

Beautiful snowy day here... Let me dig around in my photos for a new avi...

Sue

[Dreamcometru]

Hi Everyone:

Sue another fabulous picture. I'm really enjoying seeing them. The bridge pedal is a bike event. The City of Portland has the Willamette river flowing right through the middle. The down town core area is on the west side. A more industrial portion is on the east side. I work and live on the east side. There are 7 or 8 bridges that cross over. The bridge pedal is an event that covers every bridge. I'm not up to that yet, its about 36 miles round trip, but I am going to do the smaller one which is six bridges in the main part of town at about 13 miles. A couple of the bridges are freeways and so it is a rare event that you can either bicycle or walk across them. The views are incredible. It is a real family event. They have up to 20,000 riders. The bridges are completely closed for the event. They have booths and event stuff on top of one of the bridges. You can stop, take pictures, get a drink or whatever.

Dragon boating is just that. The City of Portland has a sister city in Japan. I can't remember the name, but they brought dragon boathing to Portland. The boats look like dragons, there is a drummer in the front to keep the rowing beat and a steer person in the back. Then all the people in the middle who row. They hold races and the teams train almost year round. It's a great form of exercise and a way to make friends. They have a women's team that anyone can join. I've seen them train in the early hours out on the river. It looks like so much fun. They recruit new members around this time of year. If you look up dragon boating on line, you can probably see a picture of one.

Sue, isn't it great that you always have the choice to get back on track. Drink lots of water to flush the carbs out and away you go.

Kayan: Unfortunately I'm addicted to my scale. It shouldn't be a measure of progress, but you'd be surpised how many people ask me how much weight I've lost. I try to be vague and just say "oh, quite a bit" rather than how many pounds. My group seems to measure by pounds too! And my mom and my sister in law and ....oh well. Your trip to Atlantic City seems so fun. The last trip I took was a week at the beach. Always worth it though, so relaxing. I love the Oregon coast, although I still would like to visit the east coast some day.

Carolyn: I forgot to mention the totally awesome feeling I used to experience when I saw my son or daughters make a great play or do something to contribute to the team's success. My DD2 was a pitcher for a few years. I was on pins and needles, but so ecstatic when she did well. Congratulations to your son. He's doing really well. It's such an ego booster. I think that's why I liked it so much.

Have a good evening everyone. Til tomorrow.

[Pam in TX]

Happy Monday Morning Ladies,

What a weekend.... we had to go to 2 funerals (one Sat and one Sun) for members of our church... That makes 5 we have had to go to since the first of the year... then last night was the 2nd class of the marriage course we work with at church... so we left yesterday morning at 9:00 for church and got home at 9:00 pm from the days events...

Today should be a little calmer at work... The testing cycle in April is the big one... Every one in grades 3-11 will be taking achievement tests....

Sue: again a beautiful picture.... so calming and peaceful looking.... The Painted Drum.. I have heard of that one... is supposed to be pretty good...

Leslie: The bridge pedal and dragon boating sounds like fun... I weigh every morning... Try to not let it bother me normally....

Carolyn: I loved watching my DS in his sporting events.... I miss those days sometimes... He and DD are also performers so I do still get to hear them sing at times....

Kayan: I would like to go to Atlantic City sometime... I grew up in CA so I love going to the beach.... Hearing the waves crash on the shore is such a relaxing feeling....

Need to take care of some e-mails before going to work... hope everyone has a a great day....

[Suji]

Just a quick check in before I have to get going on chores!
Two hour school delay for our county due to the icy stuff over snow again. However, this time the trucks were out early, moving the stuff before it could freeze into an unmanageable mess again.

Leslie--those sound like 2 great goals to get involved with! Thanks for the descriptions. I'm pleased that you are enjoying my sunset pictures cuz so am I.

Pam--that's a lot of funerals to attend. I haven't been to one for quite some time (thank goodness).

Soooo, I was attempting to knit my first actual wearable thingy (past a scarf that is!) so I am working on mittens. Snort!! My mitten already looks like a giant should wear it. The thumb is HUGE! Some gigunda person is gonna LOVE these soft mittens! Ha ha!

All yesterday afternoon was spent getting my new seeds into an excel database to send to my caretaker friend. Unlike me, he likes to plan everything to the minutae. I've been dragging my feet so as not to add to this obsession of his, but finally gave in. It's actually a good idea, but I would rather he tend to looking for decent employment with benefits.

One day down, reminding my bod that we do not eat those naughty things...

TTFN!
Sue

[Suji]

Uhhhhhhhhh
Oh my.

[Dreamcometru]

Good morning all.

Pam: I think its the time of year or something. It always seem like deaths are more prominent in the gloom of winter. I'm sorry you have experienced so many since the first of the year. We have had several deaths in our church too. I haven't attended the funerals though.

I too, hopefully will have a calmer day at work. Friday was a zoo. Like I said, I work with the elderly. We had an emergency guardianship to establish, plus I had about five more tasks that had to get done by the end of the day. I put in nine hours and billed almost all of them. I was exhausted by the end of the day.

Sue: Ha Ha Ha You crack me up with the description of your mitten. DD2 took up knitting from a book. She did quite well for her first attempt, but MIL or someone looked at it and told her what she needed to improve on. I was still surprised she figured it out so quickly.

Okay, seeds in an excell spreadsheet? What are you tracking. Just curious. I need to research a little to figure out what I'm going to get in the ground in my little patch. This time of year it's a little shakey because of freezing. I don't want to plant too early, yet a lot of times I'm too late.

Hi Kayan and Carolyn.

[Suji]

Leslie,
I was tracking veg families (ex. solanaceous: peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes) for purposes of crop rotation. Cultivars of each type, number of seeds per pack 0f 2007 seeds, seed sowing time in relation to spring frost and any special cultural notes or things of interest. It will help us know if we want to save seeds if one cultivar does particulary well in our microclimate and sundry other things.
I still need to look at my old seed packs and put them on another sheet. You can only store seeds just so long without reduced viability. I have no idea how many of my old ones will sprout this year, but at least they were in a dark spot in the house.

We worked on that mitten some more--I took out some rows on the thumb. It's still huge!! Oh well--I'll improve given some time and more practice. (Grin!) My friend was spinning mohair on a drop spindle while I was struggling along.
TA,
Sue

[sleepysue07]

Hi everybody! It's a beautiful sunny day here and is 78 degrees with a light breeze. To those of you who are cold, I really wish I could bottle it and send it your way.

Leslie and Kayan thanks for the congrats for DS2's game on Saturday. Six months ago he could barely walk, and was in terrible pain. He had suffered a head trauma during a football game and his brain bled out into his skull and swelled. I had him sleeping in the fold out in the den so I could watch to be sure he didn't seize or stop breathing while he slept 15 hours a day. He couldn't do anything more strenuous than brushing his teeth, and subsequently his muscles atrophied and he fell into depression. He would repeat himself to me many times a day without realizing it, and he often would address me as "Dad" or "Grandma." When he would walk he would drag his right foot, so when the doctors told us that he would be able to play baseball I really had my doubts. Then Saturday he struck out twice and my heart sank and I was having a hard time catching my breath. I began to worry that I had been right. I could see how frustrated he was. Then he took the pitchers mound and channeled all of that frustration into throwing the ball. It was amazing. Not one run was scored off his pitches. When he hit the home run I cried. Not because it was a home-run, but because my son was strong and healthy again. When he rounded home he had the biggest smile and the relief just flooded over me and poured out of my eyes. I was so glad to be wearing sun glasses. I noticed that many of the other parents were crying too. It was amazing, not only were my prayers for Michael answered, but his recovery is even more complete than I had hoped for. Always a pretty good student, he is now an exceptional student. He appreciates being "Normal" because he had to fight so to recover physically. He is strong and healthy and all of his muscle has returned along with the color in his face. He has a sweet, little, new girlfriend and he is so happy these days. School's out today, and he is off fishing with his best friend. I can't tell you how it feels to see him thriving so. DH and I are just so very, very, grateful.

Okay, enough of that! I don't want to cry today. I am going to wash and hang my clothes out on the line. I love the sight and sound of sheets blowing in the breeze it always signals the coming of Spring to me. My rosebush is already beginning to bloom! Sue, you know that we are selling our farm. I am going to go to the library this evening to research to research Zerascaping. Our area has been so droubt stricken the last 7 or 8 years that I think this may really be the way to go. I do, however, want to have a small garden, and some flowers in containers. I want an herb garden, so I have to figure all of this out.

Leslie, to answer your question- South Beach focuses on whole grains, lean proteins, and more fruits and veggies, and only canola and olive oils in the fat catagories. It is not as tasty as Atkins and the weight loss is slower, but healthier for my sluggish digestive sytem.

I notice that Sherry hasn't posted in a few days. Has anyone heard from her? Sherry if you are out there just lurking, please just check in really quick. I really miss hearing from you. I hope that your husband is recovering and not having any complications.

And how about Fern? Has she checked in lately, and I just missed it?

Pam, I need to follow your lead and drink more water. I have been having entirely too much Diet Coke lately.

Well, Have a good evening ladies,

Carolyn

[Suji]

Carolyn,
Thank you for sharing that touching story about your son and his recovery. I can so understand the relief you and he must have felt in the playing of that game. Bless your hearts for all you have gone through together on that !

Xeriscaping is a great idea if you are in a drought prone area and there are a lot of plants you can use. Generally your native plants will be most adapted to drought as a start. I have a Taylors Guide to Xeriscaping, I do believe.

Got to figure out something fast to make with hot Italian sausage (no tomatoes in the pantry...)
Later,
Sue

[kayan]

Evening everyone

Busy day at work and I work long days the next possibly 3 so will try to atleast touch base when I get home at night,but if I don't I will check in Thur or fri

Carolyn: I had tears in my eyes when I read your story. No wonder you are so proud of him and the relief that you and your fmily must feel.

Sue: I have made scarfs and I think I finished a vest for dd1 when she was in 1st grade. I actually still have a pair of baby socks that I started when I was pregnant with dd1 and never finished and if you remember I said dd1 was 27. who knows maybe i will get it finished by the time I have a grandchild.

Pam: funerals do seem to come in 3's at least that the way it most always happens. I hope that you are done for a while

Sue" my Dh likes Zuppa tuscan soup. I make it with hot italian sausage and spinache.. I put cauliflower in mine instead of potatoe and it is delicious/

Everyone have a good evening and day tomorrow and may good choices be easy for you

kayan

[PsychoLoser]

Carolyn--Thanks for the concern. My husband has recovered nicely from his surgery. I haven't been on this site for a while-- a lot of feelings I don't think I can talk about here. I am touched to hear about your son- what an experience to go through. Thank God for such a wonderful outcome! I think there are always lessons in these kind of experiences...even if it is to remind us to embrace gratitude, grace, and humility in our spiritual lives.

Losing steadily...total of 17 pounds today (since 2/2). Still motivated and cheat-free.

Warmest wishes to everyone here, Sherry

[Pam in TX]

Morning,

Was a fairly calm day at work yesterday and stayed on plan..... Drank 3+ liters of water and made it to exercise....

Thank you all for the warm thoughts regarding the excessive funerals.... I too am hoping that we are finished for a while...

Sherry: good to see you post... glad to hear that all is going well with your DH... Sorry that you are dealing with some issues right now... Will keep you in thoughts and prayers.... Good job on the lbs lost....

Carolyn: What a very emotional roller coaster you have had... How wonderful that DS is doing so well... You sound like a very proud mama and rightly so......

Kayan: I have the Olive garden's recipe for Zuppa Tuscona soup.... haven't made it since starting LC though... Never thought of using cauli instead of the potatoes... It may come back on the menu here.... Thanks for the idea...

Sue: The description of your mittens had me smiling... The visual I had was pretty amusing... Wow, you are a serious gardener, keeping track of the seeds and their production... I throw the plants in the ground and hope for the best... In TX it can be hit or miss depending on how the weather cooperates....

Leslie: Hope your day was a calmer one also....

Yesterday was an absolutely beautiful day... am going to say this very quietly and then duck out quickly... got up to 87.... supposed to nice all week...

[Suji]

Hiya Kayan, Sherry, Pam and anyone who hasn't posted yet--
The zuppa sounded good-but I wasn't going to the store yesterday so just threw together veg and rice with the Ital Sausage for everyone else. I just had the plain sausages by themselves. (It's PENANCE week, remember?! grin)

Sherry--I hope whatever it is that is causing you difficulties ends soon. And great job on the loss! You'll be out of the diet phase in no time! :-)

Pam--all my little seedlings are up and pushing against the hanging lights already. I haven't got my cabbage plants started yet though.

I finished my mitten! I have decided it is a good one for two people to hold hands inside. I dub it the "Sweeties Mitten" for such a use since I hardly know anyone who has a paw that big by themselves! LOL!

TTFN,
Sue

[sleepysue07]

Good Morning Everybody,

I saw this recipe give on a local gardening show Saturday morning, and thought I would share it. I haven't tried it yet, but it sounds like it might be good.

Baked Cauliflower



* 1 large head of cauliflower, washed and leaves trimmed
* 1/2 cup whole wheat bread crumbs
* 2 tablespoons melted butter
* 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon pepper
* 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
* 1/4 teaspoon Herbs de Provence or other spice blend

Place the whole cauliflower in a steamer basket and steam over hot water for about 12 to 15 minutes. It will still be fairly firm. Carefully move the cauliflower to a baking dish that has been sprayed with nonstick spray.

Mix the remaining ingredients together. Top the cauliflower with the bread crumb mixture, pressing it firmly into the top. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in a 350º oven until it is tender and lightly browned. Cover loosely with foil if it begins to brown too much.

I am doing South Beach so I can have the whole wheat bread crumbs, but those of you doing the Atkins plan will just want to omit the bread crumbs.

[Suji]

Thanks for the recipe, kiddo!
Aren't some people also using cauliflower "whipped up" as a sub for mashed potatoes? I really like cauliflower about any way I can get it. The Indians do great curry with it as well...

Sue

[Dreamcometru]

Good Morning:

It's snowing here, but not sticking. Just really cold and wet.

Carolyn: Awwwwww. What an inspiring story about your DS. Thanks so much for sharing. He is truly an inspiration to us all. I would be crying my eyes out with joy. I'm so very happy things have all come together for him and he has made a miraculous recovery. Please keep us posted throughout the season. I would love to hear how its going.

Sherry: It's good to hear from you. I do hope all is well and I'm glad your DH is recovering. Wow, congratulations on your loss since 2/2. That's amazing. Way to go! You are an inspiration. When I hit a road block, I'm going to do what you are doing. I'm already cutting out more fats because I'm able to add in other carbs. Yesterday I indulged and had three slices of a blood orange (about 4 carbs). OMGosh, it tasted like candy!

Pam: Yes, yesterday was much calmer. I had to play catch up, but that's okay. At least I had the time to do it.

Sue: Yay, you finished the mitten. Great job. Wow, your record keeping on the seeds is so detailed. I'm with Pam, I throw something in the ground and hope it comes up.

DS had a rough weekend and rough music lesson last night. He was sad so I am sad. You always want everything to go okay with your kids and when it doesn't you always feel so bad for them. He was basically told by his teacher he hasn't made any progress since last year and needs to set goals. Teach doesn't know my son! He worked so hard at his solo and we even got outside help. Music is his life and he has set so many goals its ridiculous. He was hurt and, I guess when you look at it this way, if he truly hasn't made any progress, its the teacher's fault right? He has already arranged to see a different teacher on baritone. She is a student at the local community college who took first place at state two years in a row on four different instruments. DS is good friends with her and she said she would coach him to a first place finish. She needs so people can see what she's capable of and she can form her own student base. We will still see the current teacher, but he will also see this girl on the side. It should be interesting. Golf tryouts start today. 16 kids went out and there are only12 spots. DS has no faith in his ability to make the team. Again, I am sad. I have told him to have faith in himself. He doesn't know what those other kids are capable of. He's determined to finish tryouts. Its a four day tournament, 9 holes a day.

I weigh in today. Wish me luck. Have a wonderful day everyone!

[Suji]

Aw Leslie,
I'm so sorry to hear about the remark that teacher made.
That so sounds like my own youngest boy. He sets a goal and works toward it, then life stands up and slaps him in the face enough to lose confidence. I hope that you said something to that teacher! Grrr! I think the "side" teaching by a friend is a great idea.
I spend a lot of time trying to build up S3--he just doesn't believe in himself or see his potential the way we do.

Sue

[sleepysue07]

Leslie, it sounds like your son is having a tough time this week. I'll pray for both of you.

[Pam in TX]

Morning,

It was a nice calm day at the office... even left a little early to get over to exercise...

Leslie: that is not an appropriate way for the teacher to talk to your son... Especially since he has been working very hard, and has worked with another instructor outside of class... Since he is a freshman, did he have this teacher last year? If not then he really can't attest to a lack of progress... Should have used more encouraging words either way....

Sue: a lovers mitten... Very unique idea... you could make 2 more "normal sized" and then market the 3 of them as a set..... just a thought... you never know what will sell these days...

Carolyn: the recipe sounds delish.... will have to try it some time, probably without the bread crumbs...

Its that time of year....

[Suji]

Good morning ya'll!

Guess I'll be off to the farm today. I have to scrape more of the paint off the walls to get the skim plaster to adhere and put some paint remover on the windows again. That latter is very slow going.

I haven't checked with stix, but hopefully the last 3 days has cleaned the carbs out of my system and now I can get back to business. Gotta figure out what food to take to the farm to eat.

Not much else to report this morning except it's a beautiful day--sunny, the snow is melting off and should be approaching the 50's.

TTFN!

Sue