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

[Dreamcometru]

Hi Ladies:

I have the day off today and tomorrow. First time since Christmas. Yay.

I was frustrated with DH because we had this pile of wood that needed to be cut to fireplace size, a branch that had fallen over this winter that was big enough to need a saw, and a voluteer big walnut tree that needed to be cut down. DH had been off for over 5 weeks due to weather, permits, etc (contstruction) and didn't do any of it. I was complaining out loud and DS said Mom, don't worry about it, I will help you. So Saturday, instead of flower beds, DS helped me saw the branch, cut down the tree and saw up the wood. No electric saws here, just the manual type. It took us about 8 hours to get it all done. Every muscle on me was sore. Oh well, it's a good sore and we finished!

Induction has been good. I'm down 2 lbs. I'm so close to onderland. I can't wait!

I'm going to do my flower beds today, but I'm going to the gym first. It's great having a day off with nobody home!

Kayan: Good luck with the hypnosis. I hope it goes well.

Sue: Yay, it will be great to have your son home. I'm looking forward to having DD2 home for the summer.

Pam: I wish I was disciplined enough to cook up stuff ahead of time. I try to make extra when I do cook to have at a later meal, but usually DS or DH eat it up before I get to it.

Have a great day everyone.

[Pam in TX]

Good Morning all,

Was a rainy day yesterday.... supposed to continue today.....

Staying on track with eating and drinking..... Didn't make it to exercise though... didn't want to get out in the weather, but can't use that as an excuse again...

If you haven't tried the flax muffin recipe, you really should..... they are a great grab-n-go breakfast item....

Sue: good job on getting back on track.... Oh tulips..... I love tulips.... Am sure you will be glad to have your son home again...

Leslie: What a workout you got with all the choppng.... One thing that helps me keep the things I cook ahead from getting eaten is that I pop it in the freezer once cooled.... In the mornings when I get ready I pull out a meat for my lunch and it acts as an ice pack in my bag until lunchtime...

Got an email yesterday from some friends and due to schedule difficulties and changes BOTH of their kids are getting married in June... DS on the 29th and DD on the 30th, in the same town..... Their kids and ours are the same ages and have known each other since toddlers..... That makes 6 weddings, so far, for us this summer....

We are supposed to go to PF Changs for lunch today for a birthday of a coworker.... That is going to be a challenge.... I can avoid the rice just fine, it is the sauces and such that pose the problem....

Off to get some more coffee and begin the day.....

[Suji]

Hi--
Not much going on here on the home front. I've got some cleanup in the lower level to do. Seems like DS3's track shoes are always seeping sand someplace or other! DS2 is due home this afternoon which means more groceries are required. His GF often eats here too. Did OK yesterday but scarfed WAY too many macadamia nuts while watching a movie (slaps hand). Good thing they are too expensive to justify buying on a weekly basis!
Also drank a lot of water yesterday which I guess my body has sucked up like a sponge--hopefully it will make it's way back out instead of bloating me up!

I won't be out to the farm until Thursday prolly, so I am doing a lot of reading at the moment. Has anyone read Toni Morrisson's stuff? I picked up one of her oldies to read at the library called "Sula" since it seemed like a fast read. She has a way with words and descriptions of Black character's lives growing up poor and set in the 20's mostly in this story.

Pam--I can relate to the frustration with sauces. SO often in the grocery aisles I pause looking at the flavored Asian or Indian sauces wishing the carb count weren't so high and the descriptions weren't so enticing!

Guess I should start sweeping up the linoleum and start the work day!

Sue

[Dreamcometru]

Hey ladies. Not much new. Got most of my flower bed done yesterday. Will finish today before it rains. It's supposed to be nice again this weekend. I can't wait to plant.

Pam, you have a point. If I put what I cook in the freezer, DS and DH wouldn't even think to get to it. Yah, it's the sauces. That's why I love asian coleslaw so much. That sesame oil makes it so good.

I ate too many carbs yesterday and my scale confirmed it this am. But my digital scale has never approached what it said when I first got it, so I'll take it. It will be back down tomorrow. I'm sure.

Sue: I haven't read anything by Tony Morrison. What you describe sounds just like something I would love to read though.

I'm not getting much done while on the computer, so I guess I better go. Have a lovely day.

[Pam in TX]

Morning all,

Another day of staying on plan with no scale action.... This is when it really starts to get hard and your begin to think "what is the point".... I just have to keep pluggin away and things will start moving again soon...

Had some storms here yesterday and during the night last night... supposed to have more today....

Didn't do too bad at PF Changs yesterday... I ordered the lettuce wraps and ate about half of it.... and a few green beans and asparagus....

Leslie: Can you post the recipe for the asain coleslaw? Sounds really good.... What digital scale did you end up going with?

Sue: Amazing how much cleaner the house stays after DS moved out.... Gotta love those boys... I haven't read any of her books.... will check it out....

Carolyn: hope all is going well with you....

Off to take care of some emails.... Have a great day.........

[Dreamcometru]

Hi Ladies:

Oh Pam. I can so relate. This no scale action or up 2, down 2 is getting depressing. But, we must hang in there. I keep trying. I strayed a little from induction again yesterday but stayed LC. Darn, it's just so hard.

I got a simple weight watchers digital scale. Nothing fancy, no body fat readings or anything.

Asian Coleslaw: Got it from the Atkins site, but here ya go:

4 cups thinly sliced bokchoy
1 large carrot peeled (I don't put this in though)
1 cup snow peas (I used sugar peas. That's all I can find in the supermarket)

2 tbs vegetable oil
1 tbs sesame oil
2 tbs rice wine vinegar
1 tbs soy sauce
1 tsp minced fresh ginger (I don't usually put this in, but it does change the flavor a bit)
salt to taste

It also calls for
1 tsp sugar substitute, but I don't like sweet salads so I don't put this in either.

I finished my flower beds yesterday. I need to get some more soil to top them off, then plant. Yay. Since we are having a wedding shower at my house next month, I want the yard to look nice, even if the house is only half painted.

Hi Sue, Kayan and Carolyn.
Until tomorrow.

[sleepysue07]

Well, I have really missed coming here lately! With the move and everything life has been in hyperdrive lately, but I think it is about to calm down finally. (It is for DH because he is about to taken a week long fishing trip.)

Well, I have gained 10 pounds during this move! This is the result of eating out all the time. Now that we are settling in I am going to begin preparing my own meals again and will be hitting the treadmill hot and heavy.

Sue, as usual you are flurry of activity and I am wondering where you draw your energy from! I hope that your son's heel is doing better. You have mentioned so many trees and plants that I have never heard of. I would love to see your farm as a whole.

Leslie, I think it is really great that you are so close to wonderland. You just continue to be my hero! I am also inspired by your woodcutting experience.

Pam, are you about to float away? I honestly don't know how much more I can take! There is just entirely too much mud being tracked into my house these days.

Kayan you are another one who is so busy that I don't know where you find the energy to do all that you seem to accomplish and still work as you do.

Well, I have to run. I hope to be around more in the days and weeks to come.

Take care everyone,

Carolyn

[Suji]

Hi all!
Welcome back, Carolyn (hugs)! And cheerful greetings to everyone else.
I went to garden club today where there were several other clubs getting together for a flower arrangement theme: Splendor in the Glass, Glory in the Flowers. People brought in arrangements focussing on glass, mirrors, light and flowers of course. PLus there were miniatures made in arrangements and a fingerfood buffet with all kinds of things.==plus glass collections displayed to catch the light coming in. :-) A very pleasant afternoon was had by all.

I spent this morning potting tomato seedlings and labeling them for the Saturday Mid-Atlantic Swap. I have two more flats to go--wheee! I find a great deal for seedling starting by going to Big Lots where they had aluminum roaster pans for 80 cents each! Way better than the $4.99 at the grocers. (I use pie tins and flat lasagna or roaster pans to start seeds in addition to the cubical type of things from the garden stores...) ANyway--I stocked up! (grin)

Tomorrow off to Meadowbrook to work on raspberry beds from last year and perhaps Mom's garden to be if I have time. I need to figure out this year's theme and colors for the walkway (butterfly/bird) garden too. Fun fun.

I am marinating leg of lamb in garlic, mustard, rosemary and thyme for dinner. Got asparagus in the frig too, salad and new potatoes for the rest of the family.

Guess I'll look for a pic of the farm to share...

Later!
Sue

[Suji]

Ok--here is a recent picture of the farmhouse--our work in progress. You can't see the third wing (kitchen) from this angle but you probably wouldn't want to since that's the one we are working on right now!

Sue

[Pam in TX]

Morning all,

We had some pretty major storms yesterday evening and then again over night.... We got about 3 inches according to our rain gauge.... some areas got quite a bit more...

Still staying on plan....

Work is pretty slow this week since the state testing was last couple of weeks there was no other testing going on.... should pick up again next week...

If it is still slow today, think I will leave early this afternoon and go get my hair done..... Am considering getting a perm for the summer so that I can do more of a "wash and go" style for the summer.....

Leslie: thanks for the recipe.... sounds really good... I still have to work on my flower beds.... the weather just hasn't been cooperating.....

Carolyn: Good to see you posting again..... Looks like you have gotten more rain than we have here (and we have gotten alot).... Maybe a good thing you moved to a hill.... Thought about you last night when that strong storm came through here about 9:00....

Sue: beautiful picture of the farm house.... just like a picture postcard.... looks so peaceful..... the garden club setting sounds very pretty and elegant.... I am all about bargain shopping....

Need to go put some clothes in the dryer.... Hope everyone has a great day....

[kayan]

Morning All

Looks like everyone has been busy. Carolyn, glad to see you back. I have worked for the week, so have the next 4 days off, plan to get a little done today, but today is basically a recovery day. urrgh!!! some people thinks its great that I have all this time off so I can run errands for them or take everyone to their appts. They forget that I get my hours in in 3 days instead of 5. and work has asked me to cover for a nurse's 2 days of in 2 weeks. I told them that would make 6 days in a row, 5 of them 14. they told me to think about it!!!! Sorry to vent, guess I am just tired,) Actually on my agenda today is to clean up a small storage room changing room and condense it to
the storage room and make that a meditation/destressing room. I have my uniforms in that room because I get up earlier than DH and don't want to wake him. I want to try yoga and want a peaceful place to go. Am trying to find the reason for overeating and its stress. The hypnosis session went well and I have no desire for ice cream. ( I did splurge on ice cream before I went) and I do feel less stress. I listen to the cd every night when I go to bed.

Sue: I have started some zucchini, summer squash, lettuce and pepper plants and some heather plants. We always buy our plants so we will see how this goes. I felt great doing just that. I can't imagine doing all that you do.

Your farm looks amazing sooooooooooooooo beautiful.

Pam: I am glad we are sharing in the rain. Today is a beautiful sunny day, very cool here for this time of the year but at least no rain today and the next several days but unseasonably cool.

Carolyn: You will have those 10 lbs off in no time

Leslie: Did you marry my DH???. My DD1 got married 3 years ago this Aug. We had the reception here at the house. There are still half finished projects that DH ran out of time to get done for the wedding. Even the mopp boards are not on in DH computer/study room and that was done 10 years ago.

Well everyone have a good day, hope everyone makes good choice's today. I am working on telling myself that when I wake up in the am and several times doing the day.

Kayan

[Dreamcometru]

Hi everyone:

Carolyn: Good to hear from you. Glad to see you are settling in.

Sue: The farmhouse is beautiful. What a great setting. You are busy as usual.

Pam: We had thunder and lightening yesterday with mega hail. We don't get it often here on the west coast. The cool thing is I work on the 11th floor with no obstacles in my view. I could watch the storm roll over and the lightening seemed like it was just outside my window. Nothing to compare with TX, I know, but a pretty site. We woke up to pouring rain this am. Another day of mixed showers, thunder, down pours, etc. We are supposed to have sunny weather for the weekend.

Kayan: Its a great policy to tell yourself to make great choices. I over indulged yesterday again. All LC, but still ate too much. I can't seem to control portions, etc. I'm trying to stick with induction, but haven't been too successful. Still trying though.

Have a great day everyeone.

[Pam in TX]

Happy Friday all,

I did go get a perm yesterday afternoon.... I haven't had one in over 15 years.... My hair has a natural wave so I don't need it for styling.... It is a little tighter than I wanted but it will loosen up quickly....

Am still on track with eating and drinking... Not much exercise this week though.... and I keep playing with these same 2 lbs.... up and down up and down....

Supposed to have nice weather today through the weekend...

Kayan: Sounds like the hypnosis is working for you... Your schedule reminds me of my nursing days.... many years ago I worked in an emergency room.... Earlier this week a co-worker refered to "mopboards" and I had never heard that term before, and now I see you use it.... I have always heard them called baseboards..... Must be a regional thing....

Leslie: Now see I don't like thunder and lightening..... My DH and DS on the other hand love to watch lightening..... We had a small amount of hail, but nothing big.... Out where my mom and dad live (close to Carolyn) there was man killed by lightening a couple days ago....

Speaking of Carolyn, Hope you made it through this lastest round of storms ok......

Well, it is time to get busy.... I need to get some things picked up as the housekeeper comes today.... can't leave stuff laying around...

Have a wonderful day everyone.....

[Suji]

Hi all,

A quick post, here. I have lots of transplanting to do (tomato seedlings). I think it has been a result of the weather, but my seedlings do not look as vigorous as in years past. What is up with that, I wonder?

Went to the farm and worked most of the day clearing grass from the yellow raspberries planted last year. I did not finish the job as I have several areas between the plants left, but my hands (early arthritis?) were bothering me by late afternoon. It is backbreaking work to lift out those huge chunks of dirt encrusted grass and shake them off!

Then, sadly, I discovered that a rodent had chewed through two of my newly planted grafts and destroyed them. By the time I finished planting, I did not have the energy to put wire cages around the little trees and this was the result. Grrrr! Probably a rabbit. I figured there is all this other stuff to eat, so why pick on a defenseless little tree to chew bark off it? Wrong! Sigh. We promptly put cages around the rest of the grafts and have to buy more hardware cloth for the larger trees.

Anyway--tulips were absolutely glorious. I am so glad I splurged--Easter colors! Except for the late Thalias, most daffs are done blooming. Viburnum are out and fragrant.

DS3 was out at his track meet until almost 10pm and told me he was plagued with a bad stomacheache for several hours (not usual at all). That has to be bad when you are far from home!

Anyhow, swap tomorrow and probably back to the farm on Sunday. I've been eating a lot of tuna lately and perhaps another trip to BJs is in order to stock up today. When dealing with the same 2 pounds (up, down, up down) perhaps it would be good to shock the system and try a dietary change from what you have been following. I think our metab learns our tricks! I am not as concerned about staying on plan in the spring particularly since that is the best time to eat salads (fresh foods) and clean out which does not coincide with the 3/4 cup allotments. I don't worry about it tis season as long as I am *not* gaining and eating the all white foods or refined sugars (and/or exerting myself physically outdoors!)

TTFN!
Sue

[kayan]

morning All

Wow, everyone sounds so busy. Yes I think the hypnosis is working for me I don't crave ice cream like I did. It's not always on my mind. I now need to work on stress control and learning to relax and take better care of myself. I think I will do another session on that in the next couple of weeks. Yesterday I made the first step towards that. I got the small room cleaned out, ready to paint, Am going to turn it into my Zen room. Hopefully will get that done this weekend, I am keeping it simple, Will buy one of those sound machine for water & nature, I already have a Aroma mist dish, just need some candles, I have plenty of holders, some long flowing sheer curtains and a small area rug and pillows and maybe a cd player if the one in DD2 closet doesn't work. I have plenty of relaxation cd's but never listen to them downstairs.

I have to take Mackenzie to the vet in a half hour, He has thyroid problems and allergies skin issues

Sue: I can't wait for our flowers to bloom, the grass is beginning to get green her and a few buds are appearing on the trees

Pam: one of my goals is also to increase my exercise but it has been a goal for several years and hasn't happened yet

Leslie: portion control has always been a problem for me also. But hypnosis does help with that> I remember that last(2 years ago) time It really helped and I have all ready noticed a difference this time the trick is to keep listening to the cd's every so often Like everything else if you stop, it stops,

Wel everyone have a good day, and may good choices be with you

Kayan

[Dreamcometru]

Good morning:

Sounds like everyone is doing well.

Sue: I'm so sorry about your grafts. I get so frustrated when the slugs get my newly planted flowers and stuff. When I plant seeds and the new growth comes up, in come the bad bugs and slugs. Sometimes I loose them all. I can't wait to plant this weekend. I hope I get some done anyway. I have MIL's birthday party to go to and a Humane Society fundraiser walk to go to on Saturday. I have to take mom to church on Sunday, so don't know how much I might get done.

Kayan: How long is each hypnosis CD, or how long do you have to listen. When do you listen? Is it something you can listen to in the car on the way to work or is that too conflicting? Just curious about the time involved. It would be great to establish some portion control in my life and the cravings for something sweet. I was brought up having dessert, even it was a piece of fruit or something. I always want something sweet to finish my day.

Pam: Things weren't so eventful yesterday weatherwise. OMGOSH, someone was killed by lightening? I know the storms back east are much more than what we get out here. I experienced one in Illinois and it scared me to death. Ahh, a perm. I got one in my lifetime and swore I would never do it again. You must have wonderful cooperative hair. I hated mine so much I washed my hair as soon as I got home to get it out. That thing stayed with me until my hair grew out enough to cut it off. Albeit easy to maintain, just wash and go, it just wasn't me. We have some home videos with me when I had it. My kids laugh and laugh. It was pretty funny. I do want to consult with someone about having my hair straightened with a perm. My hair tends to waive and frizz a lot. But the frizz is probably from being colored so many times.

Well, gotta go. Don't know about checking in this weekend. I will try, but no guarantees. So have a great weekend.

[Pam in TX]

Good Morning all,

I had the house to myself last night and today..... DH is on a men's retreat for church..... Then I forgot to shut the alarm off before going to bed last night so it went off at 4:45 (which is when DH gets up).... Oh well.... Guess that means I can plan a nap today....

It was so humid yesterday.... and sticky....

I have a confession to make.... I had a couple bites of a birthday cake yesterday..... I know it wasn't much, but I didn't even enjoy it (that's the bad part) Other than that I ate on plan, drank 3+ liters of water (or greeen tea), and made it to exercise....

Kayan: Your meditation room sounds lovely..... and the hypnosis cd's sound very interesting.... I may have to check into something like that.... How did you go about finding out information?

Leslie: Verdict is still out on the perm..... It is a little tighter curl than I wanted.... I am going to go get it trimmed up today..... that should make a big difference.....

Sue: that has got to be frustrating to have your new plants eaten.... I had a problem a couple of years ago with catapillers eating my passion vine... almost killed it..... I love tulips.... probably my favorite......

Time for more coffee..... Have a great Saturday......

[kayan]

Morning All

A good friend of mine actually does hypnosis, I had 3 sessions, 1 week apart,2 years ago and she copied my session's to a cd. I listened faithfully, one each night, for several weeks and the effects lasted a long time. then I kind of forgot about them. I restarted them a few weeks ago, but my friend said I should have a new one done. So I had another session. They last about 45 mins. I put headphones on when I go to bed and listen to the tape. I fall to sleep listening to it, but my friends says that is all right. When she is done talking, I wake up and turn off the machine and go right back to sleep. You can't listen to the cd's while driving. Its amazing, everytime I listen to them I hear new things, and I swear I am awake thru the session, but, I know there is no way she can change the cd's,

My goal is to get the 'Zen" room, thats what I am calling it now, painted this weekend. I bought a cheap sound machine last night, one for the rain, ocean, waterfall and rain forest, and a nice citrus candle.

Sue: How frustrating!!!! all that hard work and to have them destroyed

Pam: At least you were able to stop after a few bites and didn't eat the whole cake ( or a 1/2 gallon like someone I know). It is amazing how our taste change. The ice cream I finished off before my last session, didn't taste like I remembered either, but I ate it anyway. Good for you being able to stop.

Leslie: I hope that your weather settles down

DD2 Hooding cermony is Friday, hopefully I can fit into my dress pants without them being to tight. Some of my jeans are still a little tight and I have stayed to plan. I think its portion sizes that I need to work on now.

Everyone have a good weekend

Kayan

[Dreamcometru]

Hello Ladies:

What a great weekend. Busy as ever, but fun and productive.

I got lots of plants in. DD1 helped pick them out and get them in the ground. It didn't take too long. We tried to be creative and place them in rows of varying color, etc.

Went to MIL's B-day party. Hadn't seen most of those people since Christmas or before. I guess 60 lbs does make a difference because everyone was stunned. Of course I wore something new that fit great on purpose. Pam, there was cake, the wonderful costco cake that I love so much. I didn't eat ANY!!!. I wanted a piece so badly, but knew I would feel guilty for the rest of the day. People kept offering me food though. It was weird. I did have a diet coke which is a no no on my list, so actualy an indulgence that doesn't make me feel too guilty.

The Humane Society walk was a blast. I've never seen such a variety of dogs. It was only 3 miles, but lots of fun.

Kayan: The zen room sounds so wonderful. A place to retreat from the rest of the world. What a great idea for the person who did the hypnosis to record the session. I never would have thought of doing that. It's great you have it to fall back on.

Well it's back to work.

[Pam in TX]

Good Morning all,

Didn't get a chance to check in yesterday....

Still staying on plan, but no loss to report.... Had our ladies night at church last night and even ate only LC there..... We had taco salad and then there was cake for dessert..... left the chips off my salad and no cake for me.....

Leslie: Glad you were able to get your planting done, with help..... WTG on avoiding the cake....

Time to go start getting ready..... and get more coffee....

Have a great day......

[Suji]

Hurray for you, Leslie! Since you've earned it, flaunt it! :-)))

I had trouble with 2 a.m. insomnia for some unknown reason (to me) last night, so I'm feeling extrememly groggy. I'm watching the clock until I can press the button on the coffee maker! Sigh--and so much physical work to do today!

DS2 and I are going out to continue my curtailed berry trenching effort today. The spot I completed looks good and performs much better at providing roots expansion room and moisture provision than the holes in the ground dug last year! Got to do the grapes too!

I actually got the "Mom" garden dug this past weekend and set in the pots of flowers waiting so patiently for the past month. I think it will look pretty good once everything gets growing more. I made use of pockets at the bottom of the stone wall to set in creeping phlox to cascade over the stones a bit.
DH and friend got wire around all the rest of the fruit trees. Next, cages for nuts (I know there is an off color sports joke in there somewhere!).

This past weekend's GW swap was great. I came home with lots of new treasures grown by other people (sunlovers) while my sister looked for shade lovers and was happy with her finds. I unloaded all three boxes of tomatoes that I took (60+ plants)--yay!!! Then we talked with old friends and had potlock lunch outside, admiring the gardens of the host.

Tomorrow I go to the local Thai restaurant to try out their cuisine in a Red Hat's get together. Other than that, lots of reading lately. My needlework is taking a break until any meetings I have...

I hope you are all well this week!

Ta!
Sue

[Dreamcometru]

Hi Ladies:

Sue, I don't know how you do it. It took an effort to plant my flower beds. Let alone a whole farm. You are doing awesome. The rewards are so great though.

Believe it or not, it was so sunny and warm yesterday, I had to water the plants I put in over the weekend. They were droopy. I was really surprised because the soil was still muddy from the previous rains. I was stuck inside for most of the day, so really had no clue as to how warm it got. We have a repeat in store for today.

Pam - sounds like you did well at resisting too. Way to go.

I have a group meeting today with the study. Of course, we weigh in. I'm so disgusted. My scale says I'm up this morning so go figure. I was feeling so good yesterday when it was down. The truth will come out this afternoon. Hopefully I'm down a lb or two from last month, but who knows.

Have a great day.