Here we are!

Great progress, Dianna! And, I agree with Susan, you have a unique flair for storytelling. You paint beautiful word pictures, full of feelings we readers can share WITH you. And that's a very CREATIVE gift! I'll bet we creative folks couldn't begin to get a column of numbers to add up right, at least not on the first try!

Susan, my husband's family is Amish and Mennonite, so the whole quilt thing is a large-size "Oh, well" for me; I can't yet do it, and most of the ladies in the family do it, except for my one sis-in-law and I. They set up this giant wooden frame that takes up the entire great room and all sit around and quilt and "freindshofft" (compare family). They do everything by hand. They do A LOT of things I can't do, but they like me anyway. Thank goodness.

Well, I had to remove all the fun, extraneous stuff from my 9 week video to get it posted, but I did it. It's up, if you want a good laugh!

I almost forgot!

I got my first comment about my transformation! From an unlikely source; during an intimate moment, DH said, and I quote: "You're getting really skinny, ... and very sexy"!!! He said the 2 "S" words!!!! About ME! You have to understand, he's not ... always kind... with words, to me. He's doing better since counseling, but, since he got sick he's gotten much more critical, doesn't smile as often. I know it's because he's in pain, but it still not easy to take. Do you know, in 9 weeks, he never even ASKED what I'm doing? I've pretty much kept it to myself, for fear of him knocking it. Anyway, I've now told him just a bit about this transformation endeavor. And, he's looking at me differently. I like it. I like it a LOT.

Just had to share that.

-S-

Good morning ladies...I had my celebration wine last night since I achieved my no alcohol in August goal. I am not really sure I like how it makes me feel today...a bit more sluggish. Maybe I will have it on a free day...and maybe I won't...I feel better without it...not sure it was worth the way it makes me feel today. I did get 5 miles in at 5am...so that may be why I am tiredish.
Sally...loved your video...what the heck is the rocking thing you were doing...I know you were trying to do something...I am thinking stand up? Looks tough...would like to see it done.
So your husband is still sick? Is it a permanent sick or will he get better? Have you talked about his illness here? If I am being nosy just let me know you "skinny sexy" VOW!!! Susan

Morning Ladies. Well, I did pretty good over the holiday weekend, and I'm taking a couple days off this week. Too much work to take the whole week, which I had originally intended to do.

Thanks for the kind words Sally. I am so happy you are finally getting some acknowledgement and recognition at home, you sexy skinny thing you!! I like the video. I'm not even going to try and post something like that. Besides, I sold my video camera to my sister since I never used it. Pretty place you live though. I'm still partial to my western mountains, though. Someday I'll get out of the Midwest and go back there. Cait only has 3 more years of school. And I'm with Susan, I can't figure out what you are trying to do with those boxer crunches. I was never able to see the video Clarissa was talking about.

Wow. Amish relatives. I DEFINITELY do not quilt like that. My Mom used to have the huge quilting frame set up in the basement and would work on them every night. I got to help, which is where I learned. I never got as good as her, or the Amish. We lived near an Amish community when I was growing up. Went out there every week to get our milk and eggs. So I know how beautifully they can quilt. My hands can't do the intricate quilting anymore. And I don't do embroidery work anymore, which I used to do a lot. I quilt with a machine now.

Susan, you rock!!! I am impressed with your mileage. Have you ever thought about triathlons? I think about it, but I can't swim. So that's out for me. Marathons are just too much though. My limit when I did running was 10k runs. You go girl! Oh, and I won't be in TN in October. My brother just told me this weekend that he is getting married October 11. It would be nice of me to go, but it is difficult to choose which event to attend Just kidding. I will of course support my brother.

So I got in a good step aerobic workout this a.m. I am off to the chiropractor, then working on cleaning the basement today.

Hi Girls!

Feel like I've been out of touch for weeks.

Dianna - your story about your Dad was so touching. You do have a way with words. Its also refreshing to hear how happy you are in your job, and I daresay in your life in general.

Quilting - Its love how much we find in common here. I used to quilt a bit, but it was always more of an admiration thing. I love and appreciate all things hand made. I'm a sucker for anything handmade at a yard sale and have a small collection. I feel like anything handmade has a soul in it and I need to give it a home
; Unfinished quilt tops of 1940 fabrics, old table cloths, embroidery, some beautiful, some quirky. I have this crocheted doily thing that's purple, lime green, yellow, orange... truly hideous, but finely worked and beautiful in its own way. I did a little knitting, quilting, crochet and such when my kids were small, and now, darn it, I find that all those small motor things kill my hands, so I will just admire. I have made some great machine made baby quilts, so may have to get the old Viking out.

Susan - Amazing how tuned our bodies get to what we put in them during this Transformation process. Congrats on your completing your month commitment! When is the Detroit 1/2? I have 2 months to train for the Santa Clarita 1/2 and need to get my mileage up. The Grand Canyon is 14 miles down and 9 miles up, so I guess that will count, but when I get back I need to get focused. My goal is to finish at consistent 14 minute miles. Next will be City of Angels 1/2 in December. My goal is to begin to jog part of the mileage in order to shorten my time.

Sally - What can I say? You are such a gift to all of us here. I'll be checking out your video shortly and know it will be a crack up. I'm so happy that your husband finally noticed, but I'm more interested in how you feel! Skinny and sexy? Yes!

Gotta run - off to the doctor. I'm feeling soooo much better. This is my regular annual check up and will get test results from last week. I suspect I don't tolerate the protein shakes well, but we'll see what the doc says.

More later -

Kathy

I posted a video on the exercise forum that is just like Clarissa's Boxer Crunch and may explain my goofy gyrations!

Kathy - you're a quilter, too?!? Wow, this place is getting almost creepy, all the coincidences!

Let's see if there's any more...

Anybody have Rat Terriers?
Have skin pre-cancer removed?
Love the color apple green?
Hilite their hair? (That's a given, huh?)
Drive a Toyota?
Hold their nose (while swimming) with their upper lip?
Have a degree or certification (or 3) they don't use?
Coach tumbling?
Make obsene noises with their armpit?
Crave nachos on free day?

You know Sally, as endearing as all of those qualities sound, I have to admit I don't fit a single one!

I have an Australian Shepherd and a standard poodle.
I've never had anything but my tonsils removed, never broken a bone or had stitches.
Love the color blue. I only want apple green on my Granny Smith's.
My hair is dark brown with grey highlights, but I don't add them on purpose.
I drive a Hyundai Sonata and a Suzuki S40 motorcycle. It's a 650cc engine.
I don't swim, but wish I could. But it is the perfect excuse NOT to do a triathlon.
I have 5 college degrees and in some way I think I use them all.
I only tumble when I fall, and I try not to teach other people how to do that.
No way!
Not terribly fond of spicy foods because I get acid reflux. When I did BFL a couple years ago I used to crave Krispy Kreme donuts on my free day! Thank God I got over that! Now I don't really crave anything.

I got up on the roof this afternoon and cleaned my gutters in preparation for the fall. I hate this hot humid weather. I don't know how you guys who live in it can stand it. OK. Off to surf the site. I'm going to try to find Sally's video. Have a great evening ladies.

Ok...let me see here:
I have a Cairn Terrier ...like Toto type (my daughter does too)...we had 2 different terrier mixed dogs growing up.
I am trying to figure out a period of time soon to use Efudex on my face for precancerous type of lesions, apparently after using 2 weeks you will gets scabbing on those areas...it gets rid of it...nervous about doing it.
I have had my hair highlighted for a number of years....it blends my gray in well.
My 2nd car was a Toyota Celica...baby poop yellow brown. My daughter just bought her first new car a Toyota Camry. I drive a Nissan Maxima right now....need to get a new car but still holding off.
I have my Dental Hygiene degree but have not practiced in the last couple of years. The dentist I worked for had to let his practice go so I haven't worked since.
When I jump in a pool I will hold my nose with my fingers...I have never had swimming lessons...I can swim okay but not like they do when people do laps in a pool with the way they lift their face up to one side and get a breath. This is what would keep me from doing a triathlon too.
And I haven't done a free day yet....except for yesterday with my wine celebration....which went very well with EFL Shrimp Scampi...my husband loved it too. It is good.
But the thing I want or crave lately is chips and salsa...like the full fat type in various mexican restaurants....where you eat so much of them that you are stuffed by the time dinner comes...of course margaritas go pretty well with that too.
So there are threads of similarities in there.

I bet I have some things you can't match...
Arm robbed twice (by the same person a month apart) when I was in high school working for H. Salt Fish and Chips
Also in high school jumped off a cliff at some stripper pits and crushed my lower 3 lumbar...wore a back brace that summer when I visitied my dad in California.
Have totaled 2 cars...the first one in my college years (Dental Hygiene)broke my lower jaw in 2 places...my 2 Oral Surgeon teachers wired me together..
Those are my big "life" traumas.
The thing about all of the last list is how much I appreciate living and the healthy state I am in...when so many others having these same experiences don't walk away from these...every time I read a newspaper or listen to the news I am reminded of the life God has given me. I am here for a reason. Susan

Kathy...the Detroit marathon (I am doing the half) is the same day as Denver...October 19. And you have 2 upcoming half marathons? Are those cities both in California? When is your Grand canyon trip again? Isn't it soon...Remember I am "forgetful" dwarf. I am so excited for you. I think I already mentioned this but my husband and I did 2 whitewater rafting trips in Utah...proably at the top of the list of our most amazing vacations. It is so beautiful out west...we want to come back out that way. The skys are so blue. Susan

No dogs, only a cat who adopted me. We tolerate each other. Didn't grow up with pets, so not natural to me, but I like other people's dogs especially and love the energy of a terrier, although I've heard they are a nightmare to raise.

Something removed? Ick, yes. Lots of keratoses (burned off) and one squamous cell (they cut that one out). Living in CA (AZ is worse) skin cancers or precancerous lesions are hard to avoid. Especially a Mick like me, I was meant to live in the fogs in Ireland. Susan, Efudex is not pretty, but it does the trick. The best time is early October because you will be healed for the holidays. The other possibility is to do your face in quadrants, but then 1/4 of your face is messed up for a longer time. I'm supposed to do it this Oct. so maybe we can commiserate on that. Then we'll be BEAUTIFUL and lesion free.

Apple green - I have a picnic table that color, but I love all colors. I think my favorite is purplish blue - periwinkle? - we have jacaranda trees here in CA that are covered with that color in late Spring. Amazing! But then I love red too...

Been coloring my hair since I started going grey at 25. Both my parents had white hair as far back as I can remember. The current color is just about my natural color.

Car? I drive a light blue/blue leather interior '96 Buick with about 50,000 miles on it. I inherited it from my ex mother-in-law when she stopped driving at 90. It's SUCH a granny car, but it was free! I drove VW's and then various Nissan's before that. My last Nissan was rear-ended and totalled, so the granny car was a godsend.

How the heck do you hold your nose with your upper lip? Or did you mean that you swim with your upper lip????? I grew up in CA, learned to swim early and was a real fish. Don't get to it much now, only have access to an indoor pool on a regular basis and hate the chlorine smell. Used to love to swim at the beach, but now with all the pollution... My skin and hair hate it, it keeps me from having to do a triathalon... I'm sure I can come up with a few other excuses.

Certificates? What a great question, Sally. Those I don't use: Paralegal: Probate, Trusts and Estates, Graphic Design (never completed); Cooking School, Intermediate level. The cooking school ws a blast and I'm quite good, but didn't think through the time commitment, was offered some good apprenticeships, but would never see my kids. Hours were like 2pm to 2 am. Did a bit of catering, cakes, etc., but rarely cook anything but the simplest (clean) meals now. Never finished college, but have enough credits for a BA.
Never taught tumbling. What age? That sounds like a blast. Taught art/crafts and cooking to grade school for a short while. Fun, but I just don't have the patience. Dianna - 5 degrees? I am impressed. What are they? I've always loved going to school.

Armpit music? I thought only sweaty boys could do that?

I crave ice cream on my free day. I had my first cone of the summer on Sunday and it was yummy. Bad tummy be damned. Rocky Road - it was heaven.

Susan - can't match your being robbed twice by the same person, but I had one 12 month period shortly after my husband left: car crash, held up at gun point, house robbed, car robbed. I came to understand how people lose it and slip over to the nice rest of what we used to call a nervous breakdown. I was lucky to have some great friends and a good therapist.

Grand Canyon is in one week! So excited. There are 17 - 14 ladies/3 guys - hiking down to Phantom Ranch. Three people will stay behind to ferry the cars. The trip goes like this: drive to South Rim, stay over night; drive to North Rim, stay overnight and hike down 14 miles in the a.m. (in the meantime the drivers return with cars to South Rim). Stay overnight in the Canyon. Hike out South Rim in a.m. 9 miles. Stay over at South Rim and then home. Five days total. The group has been walking together for years, I joined 4 years ago and its the best thing I've ever done. Most are much younger, so keep me on my toes. We always have a goal to work towards, the LA Marathon, various other races, this is the biggest. Two years in the planning.

Yikes, I guess I'd better get some work done.

You are all so great and fun to get to know and your support means the world to me. My tummy is truly better, so no more excuses for bad eating. I'm commited to get back on track.

Yogamoppy

We are an interesting bunch aren't we? Susan, I love the idea of chips and salsa with a margarita.....minus the chips and salsa I LOVE margaritas. when we go to Mexico, one of our favorite things to do is go to a tequilaria and sample GOOD tequila. It's made me a tequila snob. Now I love to have sipping tequila, but it is WAY too expensive. And margaritas are too acidic, which flares up my acid reflux. So I usually pass on them. But occasionally.....

I've had 2 cars totaled, but I wasn't driving either time. I wasn't even in the car for one of them. I'm much more careful with my choice of friends these days

Kathy your trip to the Grand Canyon sounds awesome. I would love to do a trip like that. I used to live in Germany and one of my most memorable vacations in my whole life was a hiking trip to the Interlaken region of Switzerland, in the Alps. It was fantastic! We camped in the valley floor and did day hikes for 7 days, covering over 160 km. One day we hiked for over 13 hours. Partly because we lost the trail and partly because we didn't realize how long it was when we started. And it's not like you can sit down and wait for the next day to continue! We hiked up from the valley floor every day, even on the day it rained. Truly a paradise for hiking. I'm glad you are feeling better and hopefully you will be at 100% for the hike.

And as far as my degrees go, don't be impressed. It wasn't that hard. I have 2 associates degrees, business and accounting, 2 bachelor's - organizational management and accounting, 1 master's in international management. I've considered an MBA, but what for? Actually, if I could do anything I wanted and money was no object, I'd get a degree in theology. Don't know what I'd use it for, but the study of religion fascinates me.

Kathy, I've been told that if I want to attempt yoga, that I should do classes first, not a teach yourself video. Do you concur? My flexibility is nonexistent. My last personal trainer said I need to do something to improve that and suggested yoga. But I've never done yoga. I did have a lower back injury when I was 16 in one of those car wrecks. It bothers me on occasion, but not too much. My bigger issue is that my SI joint tends to pop out when I lean too far forward, especially in a stretching pose. I did have some therapy on it a year ago that seems to have stopped the problem. But I am still fearful of it because it hurts like heck and takes over 2 weeks to really heal. Any ideas for beginning yoga?

You ladies have a wonderful evening and I'll catch up with you tomorrow.

WOW!!! We are V.O.W.

SILLY -- Great news on the 2 "S" words in the same conversation and reognition ceremony. Buahahah!!! QUILTING??? Something I have always wanted to do but still doing the work/sleep cycle with nothing left for much else -- even struggling with getting in exercise.

SUSAN -- As I sit here sipping my BuD Lite with lime -- I just smile serenely about the bottle of wine I've been saving for going in the right direction for "streak" of time without wavering.

DIANA -- Cleaning basement?? On the ROOF?? WHEW!!! I still trying to figure out how to get the common things done, like vaccuming and dusting etc. Buahahaha!!! It's on my list to do by Monday at 1:30.

KATHY -- Protein shakes bothering you? You probably need more carbs or a weakened shake. Try adding in more fruit or switching the type of protein shake you buy. The SLIM FAST Optima is about right for us gals and what we are doing in life, so try that. And if you like cottage cheese, about 3-4 bites of the low-fat variety before bed will really help you with morning time hunger etc and in your recovery time while you sleep.

Okay, let's see if I can do this:

APPLE GREEN is just about my favorite color or new spring grass green.
I drive a Toyota Camry and love it; Bill drives a Toyota truck.
I used to only have 2 furry children, Misty Blue (who thinks she is a person) and Mr Bojangles (Mr. BJ) both overgrown Shelties and ONE ornery pastel tortoise cat named Patches who just graces us with her presence. THEN, AND THEN..... We went to the Humane Society because BILL wanted two Calico kittens. We found them and even though he said absolutely NO LONG HAIR, we got these and they have long hair in the white parts only. Wierd. Lightening and Wobbles are their name for the namesake of the two cats we had when we got married 40 years ago. They play together and torment Patches and keep Mr. BJ and Misty Blue in line by trying to NURSE on them as well as playing hide-and-seek and chase the dog's tail. THEN -- while we were waiting for a room to play with the kittens, I mentioned that there were no small dogs, immediately she mumbled something about a little dog downstairs in the hospital and would be bringing it up -- oh how cute mumble, mumble and expensive Japanese dog. mumble, mumble -- so while we were playing with the kittens -- she blindsided us with a Japanese Chin. WHAT???? Yep, these were called Japanese Spaniels and you see them with Queen Victoria in her portraits. Gift from Japan at that time. Well -- This little guy is called GIZMO which is the perfect name. Now, while you read this, close you mind's eye and imagine 9 pound shaved white dog being presented to us with bulging eyes that look outwards (lateral stabismus -- i.e. instead of crossed-eyed, his face opposite walls), pugged up nose but not smashed in enough to cause breathing problems, really prominent underbite with crooked teeth and a turned up tail. He has red ears, red racoon mask, nose matches the ears and mask. He had been owned by a double-income family with children and kept locked in a kitchen all day, then in a small kennel at night. Didn't even know what grass was. NOT HOUSE BROKEN!!! --- YET, we rescued him and brought him home because PAM was so afraid that he would end back up in a similar situation. Now he thinks he has died and gone to doggy heaven. That adds up to SIX FURRY CHILDREN if you have been counting.

Hair is dyed multi-blonde and short, short, short. In the Fall I go auburn and blonde usually as it's cheaper than buying a new wardrobe that I would never wear anyways.

I swim the side stroke, can't get my lip over my nose, but can touch my nose with my tongue.

Water Aerobics instructor I don't use, bacause I can't find the time but a big believer in this. Realtor -- I retired from after 7 years because it's the only thing my husband has ever requested I not go back into due to him never seeing me. Just went back to school at 56 to become a RN at 59 and havint the time of my life, living my passion as a OR nurse. My grandson Wyeth is in gymnastics and doing great. Know court-reproting but sold my machines and really didn't like it. I transcribe medically and can't really get OUT of the business due to family. I knit and crochet and sew and love gardening (playing int he dirt just feels childlike and like I'm getting away with something. Usually am, as the sounds of nature just seem to embrace me and take me away.

I played piano but never my armpits. I too thought that was a BOY thing.

I crave ice cream every day but when it comes to my "free" day, I usually choose spagetti in a decent portion with a dab of ice cream. Occasionally, some chocolate, but don't think of that as "sinful" anymore. Love Abuelos Mexican food but try to avoid it for obvious reasons.

I'm sure I'm out of characters and will post more tomorrow on my DAY OFF!!!! YES -- I'm off for FOUR WHOLE DAYS!!! Whoooo-hooooo!!!!! I've helped save lives all week, now I get to see if I can salvage mine. Buahahahaha!!!!

PAM

VOW! You are amazing as well as vivacious! Kathy, your trip sounds like a dream come true. I've never done hiking like that. Do you carry a big pack? How do you decide what to bring? Do you bring food? Wow. Dianna's hiking in the Alps sounds like the kind you have to bring all the food, right? I think I'd be scared... wimpy chick alert!

What did you decide on the wine, Susan? I'm still "clean" but I have come to the decision that I will let loose on free day. I like a buzz, especially knowing that I don't HAVE to have one every day. I was kind of scared about that. Life is no more or less exciting without imbibation, and that's a good thing to know.

I can't believe how diverse and just downright cool we are as a group. All this life experience in one group. I sure hope we get to meet someday. And, if we DO ever meet, I'll have todo an armit Sonata for you. I used to be able to get my mom to laugh til she cried, a great memory.

I want to share that I have a license to: do hair, judge competitive cheerleading, and certificates to assess fitness, teach some group fitness classes, and coach tumbling and cheerleading. I have all the credits for an AA, and more, but never went back. Not sure I will. Life is good, for now. If I need money, I'll open a hair shop. I have a few idea's...!



Ok, new question time: If your waistline didn't matter, and you could only eat the same 5 things over and over again, including drinks, what would they be? ONly 5! So "chips and salsa" would count as 2.

Dianna -

Where do you live again? I thought you said suburb of St. Louis? I suggest you find a studio that teaches Iyengar style yoga. There is a studio in St. Louis called Yoga St. Louis owned by Bruce Roger. I looked on line and they seem like a pretty serious well-trained group. Iyengar is one of the oldest styles and a good place to start. Let me know your town and I can do some more research so I can make a better recommendation. Unfortunately there are a lot of teachers out there who are not well trained and with your back, you need to find someone good.

Moppy

Thanks Kathy. I live in Ballwin, which is about 25 miles west of St. Louis. I'll look that up and see how close it is to me.

Pam - great to see you back. 6 critters!!! You are brave. I wish you the best on your foot/leg recovery. It doesn't matter how slow it is, as long as you make progress.

Sally - I like your certificates. I always thought it would be fun to learn more on nutrition and fitness, but decided a good steady career like taxes made more sense. After all, I do have that accountant mentality and can't help doing the cost benefit analysis. You'd think with that kind of training you could do a better boxer crunch Just kidding. I tried the other night after i saw Clarissa's video. OMG!!! That is so hard. No wonder you almost pulled the dresser on top of yourself! Now I am determined to do at least one by the end of this challenge, but have no idea how to get there. I don't know if my core will ever be that strong. Maybe there's some technique I'm not doing very well also. I guess I'll have to keep working at it.

Susan - How's the wine going? I find I just don't care to drink anymore. But I do have to agree with Pam's choice of Bud Light w/ Lime. That stuff is good!

OK Sally - 5 foods. Well, I'll have to say waistline and stomach won't matter, as I tend to be lactose intolerant. One food would definitely be ice cream, preferably homemade. So here's a fact you guys don't know. I used to own my own ice cream store. Made it all there in the store and ate about a pint every day. That's probably what made me intolerant after 7 years of that!! Anyway, I never got tired of it. I am also a chocolatier and made my own candy and chocolates, but I can live without that stuff. I'm sure the 7 days a week, 12-14 hours a day, plus the physical labor of the job is the only thing that kept it off my waistline then.
Food # 2 - Shrimp Scampi or pretty much any type of shrimp.
Food # 3 - Grilled chicken Ceasar Salad .....does that count as 2? There's no AND in there, so not sure.
Food # 4 - apples, preferably Pink Lady or Honeycrisp. NO red delicious.
Food # 5 - soft, chewy, chocolatey brownies. And if it's allowed, I'll have chocolate chips and nuts in mine!
How's that for well balanced eating

Have a great evening ladies.

Pam - I looked up Japanese Chin on the web. Oooh, so cute! What a houseful you have now. Thanks for the advice on the shake thing. I think I just need to stay away from them for a while. I tried making them 1/2 strength and still cause problems. And have to really watch the lactose. I can do a small amount of yogurt with lactaid tablet, but other than that, its just not worth the consequences, but upper and lower GI. I eat a lot of turkey, chicken. Try not to do too much soy.

Dianna - I tried to find Ballwin, don't you have AK on your profile? Anyway, turns out my office mate is from Manchester, MO and so knows Ballwin very well. Let me know how the search for a yoga class goes. I envy your hiking in Switzerland, now that's got to be the hiker's dream.

Silly does it again -

Only 5? How to choose? When the doctor had me on the bland diet = BRAT(Y). Bananas, rice, applesauce, toast and added Yogurt to get the good bugs back into my gut, it was kinda cool. I never had to think about what to eat. I ate a LOT of rice. Wasn't so bad. But given carte blanche with no consequences? Steak, baked potato with lots of butter, Sour dough toast with lots of butter and apricot jam, Rocky Road ice cream, good old fashioned chocolate cake. I very rarely eat any of these, even on free days. How about a few more? Lobster with guess what, lots of butter, roasted leg of lamb with home made mint sauce and pan roasted potatoes; chocolate croissants so fresh that the crust is till crispy, cheese danish; . Eeek, I'm making myself hungry and sick at the same time. Notice not one fruit or veggie in the list unless you count the jam and mint sauce. And I don't even mind veggies. Just nothing I ever crave.

On that note - I hope some of our lost lambs return to the fold soon. Debster, Shelley... we miss you.

Have a great weekend. I'll be running around with last minute packing for the GC next Weds. Yay! I'm bringing my jump rope to keep up with the training, lets see if I actually use it. Anyone else looked at the Jump Your Rump Off thread? Looks fun, intimidating.

See you Monday. Stay healthy, stay clean, work hard and have some fun!

MOP

"Nothing changes, if nothing changes."

Every time I jump rope I either pee myself or get shin splints.

Like my new pic? I just found it in my files! That's Diane, the starjumping phenom and I before the start of the Sarasota Marathon this past March. If you haven't read my account of that event, suffice it to say, it was a hoot. Diane surprised me, showing up in town for the race. (We were BFL Challenge "e-partners" back in 2000, and became -what I hope to be - lifelong friends. I must have been a good partner, cuz, as you know, SHE WON! ) We only had a few minutes to hug and reminisce before the gun went off, so she started running, wearing her big, heavy Champions jacket and carrying her over-full purse! We talked and ran slow for the first couple miles til she pulled off to use the facilities, promising to meet me at the finish. At the turnaround, I saw her - running! - with a group of gals, carrying her jacket. She is an AMAZING soul.
I'm so happy to have found that photo!!!

My five fave foods are really similar to Kathy's: Steak, Lobster, really good Queso, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy. Can cheese be my vegetable? I'll put it on my steak and mashers!

Ooooh, Kathy must be getting excited!!!!!

Where's Susan and Deb?

Been busily relaxing day. More cloud-covered, farmer's-type rain off and on makes for naps, naps and naps for Bill and all the furry children. He did managed to get some plumbing problems fixed inbetween them.

I got the "roots" done today so i won't look too much like a great-grandma on Sunday for my granddaughter's baby shower. Went to Whole Foods and picked up some essential oils peppermint/lavendar for some aches/pains, stress relief type baths as well as some magnesium oil for the same thing. Been reading information on this intradermal therapy method and found remarkable results, so decided to try it. I'll have to "FORCE" myself to be in my jacuzzi tub soaking for at least 30 minutes. My, oh my, what a sacrifice. Buahahahahah!!! Also, picked up a new vitamin Vitamin Code for 50 & wiser women from the Garden of Life. Interesting literature on that as well.

It's getting cooler around here and reminding me of Fall, so I went to my tea site TEVANNA.COM and got some teas and two more 16 oz tea infusers that are magically wonderful for a perfect brew of tea.

FIVE FOODS??!!!
1. Ice Cream -- Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla
2. Spagetti with meat sauce and mushrooms.
3. Strawberries, fresh
4. Seafood - in general any kind.
5. Milk and mild products

Hum --- ya think the list indicates most of the foods I avoid due to all of them heading to the hips? DUH!!!

Well, I gotta hi the transcription game -- so will be seeing you tomorrow. PAM

Hi Ladies.
Sally, I like the new photo. I left you a few words on your blogs. Keep up the good work. I hope you know how much youmean to us here. You are truly an inspiration to me.

Kathy - I am in Missouri, right on the line of Manchester, so it would make sense that your friend would know it. I hope you are going to take pictures on your hike and post them for us. Be safe.

Pam - glad things are getting better, but I feel so sorry for you having to take those nasty jacuzzi baths. You poor thing!

Susan and Deb-------Where are you?
Have a good evening. I'm off to bed.

Dianna, and Kathy, too - thanks for taking the time to uplift me after reading my whiny blog. It's like... one week every so often is just like that. I get a bit frustrated with the slowness of this process, feel the need to vent a bit, and then all you amazing people let me know I'm not alone. And that really helps. Thanks, guys.


So, are we ready for a new question, or shall we wait another day to or two to see if Susan and Deb -or anybody else - comes around?