H L Topic of Week of August 20-26~Double-Duty Beauty Foods ~

Muril, hope the cat leaves your hummers alone. Do you have somewhere you can hang the feeder instead?

Gonna be a busy evening for us here! Gotta get off work at 6, finish packing last minute stuff, shower and be ready for the early morning. So just having sandwiches for dinner.

We ended up giving noob a flea bath last night, just in case. Cause she was biting at her tail a lot. She was angry at me all evening but shes lovey again this morning, and shes super soft and fluffy LOL

Breakfast - Hot pocket, coffee
Lunch - Bar and yogurt
Dinner - Sandwich

Hi Girls!

Natasha, he isn't bothering the hummers at this time. I have washed down the deck and put out new hummer nectar. I have put two applications on Rascal so far- maybe it will be enough. He ran over the hill the first time I tried today- he knows now what is going on and doesn't like the citrus smell- smells fresh.  I hope he is fresh enough to get a bath in the baby shampoo this evening so he can get back in his routine. He has to dry naturally for the stuff to work- works while it is wet. It is humid and partly sunny so he is not cold. LOL Hope you have a blast in San Diego! Sounds like such fun! Wish I could get away- yesterday I was having one of those- CALGON TAKE ME AWAY! Day. LOL

Kris, take a deep breath and get right back on the healthy wagon. Just because you have splurged a bit- don't let it snowball into something longer....get back on the wagon! Forgive yourself and get back to it! It's ok to have a treat every now and then! (((Forgiveness Hugs))) :)

Natasha, I saw that about the tomato juice being toxic to cats- although this stuff is causing him aggravation too- made him gag today. Yuck. I hope I don't have to apply it again- if so- may wait a day or so for him to recooperate- don't want to kill him or anything- for goodness sakes.

Rebecca, good idea on trashing the skunky clothes. LOL I have thrown away a few washclothes and towels already. LOL  Nope we aren't boarding the windows or anything.... we live on the other side of VA- not near the coast at all....DH's family that lives in the Mineral VA area have been in the line of the earthquakes though- had another one that was 4.8 at 3ish in the morning yesterday and said their kitty went under the bed for about 3 hours. Interesting how animals know when something isn't quite right.  Yeah on the coupons! That's wonderful. I used to be more coupon savy than I am today....we don't get the paper anymore- so maybe that is why. I use many from Kroger though- they send them in the mail.

Jill, Woo hoo on getting those bills paid down! Feels great I am sure!  Sorry it didn't work out for the food service job. Maybe there is something even better in your future. Have a great time on your get away- you deserve it girl!

Dusta, I thought kids could take their books home too. Sorry you had such a hot run- but it was great that you were dedicated enough to get 'er done! Keep up the good work. I did pilates today without Macie- missed her looking at me and making her baby noises while I was exercising. :)

Dawn, I am having lunch tomorrow with my future DIL Lori and her mom,  also Crystal and Becky are coming. We are going to make plans for the reception. I know I have shared that the wedding is going to be private(thier choice) and as of now- the reception on Oct. 2- not sure if Mom is coming up or now. Will be fun planning it! :)

Sherry, hope your work is going well - are you getting enough work? Thanks for the crockpot recipe- yet another wonderful looking recipe- you do cook the best meals!

Okay, waving to everyone.  Hope I haven't missed anyone...

Karen, hope you are having a good day and thanks so much for sending me (via message on FB) your info- will be getting in touch with you when time permits and can catch up at home as well. LOL Take care of you during this time- it is easy to put ourselves on the back shelf when we have a lot of responsibilities- remember to eat as healthy as possible and get in some exercise and try to find time at the end of the day to curl up with some book that is not necessarily educational- but just fun reading- just some 'ME time"- will pay off for you in the long run!

Waving to Pam, Candy,  and all others!

Yikes, what a week!!!  I did good at WW last week, down another .8.  This week, not so sure!  I didn't get a chance to walk hardly at all, what with stuff at work (the hospital laid off 37 people, none of mine, thankfully), plus a couple of evening meetings, two PT appointments and two Dr.'s appointments. 

The good news is that my PT has advanced to the gym workouts, gradually moving to an independent program.  I can't remember if I told you all, I fell out of Lil' Princes truck (landed on my feet though) and now have an IT band strain and trochanteric bursitis (hip).  ouch. 

The other news is that for several months, I've lost my voice.  Before you all yell 'hooray' like my coworkers and family, my doc thinks it might just be allergies, but she is sending me to an ENT doc to see if I have a polyp on my vocal cords. I also had a chest x-ray just to make sure I haven't grown another respiratory tumor.  I'm pretty sure it's just the allergies, but better safe than sorry.

Well, we're battening down the hatches in New England, awaiting Hurricane Irene.  looks like it will be a hum-dinger. We're fortunate;  I have heat if I need it (firewood), a gas range, a generator (so I can have a couple lights and the refrigerator) and we have a satelite dish, so if the cable goes out, we still have TV!  The only problem is that we have a well, so I can't get water.  If it goes on for days (we live in the boondocks) I go to the gym to get a shower.  Overall, it won't be too much of a crisis, unless a tree falls on the house. (let's hope not, all kidding aside).

I've planned some yummy meals for this week, so I'm off to get groceries!  Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!  PammieJ. 

Good morning.

Kris I have heard about the same words your Mom said from Mel a million times. It always makes me angry, I think I should be the one that  decides if it is time for me to eat something extra. Anyway I was telling him and he said her Mother should be ashambed for doing that to her. I could not believe he said that.  I hope you are able to do not let this unset your apple cart. Hugs.

Muril squirt that cat with water. They hate water and it will not hurt him, say like a bb gun. Just kidding about the gun.

Need to go to WM and pick up my drugs.

Hi All:

Back from Maine (late last night) after a very long travel day. Got to see and say good bye to Charles' mom, and she was still pretty lucid (although i can tell that the cancer has spread to her brain). she doesn't have much time left. My s-i-l (who is a total state of denial) says 2-3 months, but I went through this with a friend (her husband dies of cancer) and I'm thinking a few weeks at best. Anyway, despite the glitches and the schedule the trip was comfortable with first class seats and the executive lounge:)

I haven't had a chance to read this WHOLE thread (you ladies are chatty this week) but KRIS, one of your posts jumped out at me and I really wanted to comment on it.  You wrtoe about goining out to dinner and were told "Won't you please eat like normal with us tonight?"   I've heard of people doing that before, and frankly there are a lot of reasons for it, but I won't go into it now.  My point is, if you want to eat something, make it your own choice not someone elses. I just don't fall for that game. A very good reply to a comment like that is "I AM eating normal. Your portions and food choices are the ones that are unhealthy -- and that's not something i choose to do). That usually quashes that quickly. Unfortunately American portions (restaurants and home) are HUGE compared to the rest of the world, and somehow we are just passing this on to our children (the next generation) collectively. Anyway, I hate to see anyone  try to get someone else to eat unhealthy food choices just so it will make that person more comfortable (because it's what they do). It's really very twisted if you look at it, as we should want the best for our friends/family and unhealthy choices are certainly not the best.

Anyway, hang in there Kris. I look at my lifestyle change as a continium -- it's something that will be with me forever. Try and look at your choices that way. some days we make better ones than others, and when we don't there is always the next day. Try not to think of it as a diet or falling off the wagon -- just a day that you didn't make the best choices.

As for me, made some good choices on the road despite it was a family affair. Passed on my s-i-l's hugely caloric and fatty foods and instead opted for some healthier choices on my own later. Still had the social family stuff, but didn't have to eat unhealthy food to do that.

On the way home I saw a chick fil a in the airport (I think CVG). I went up and looked at the menu, and thought of you gals, but you know it didin't even look attractive to me. I went next door and had a yummy veggie delite sandwich at Subway, which was low in sodium and calories.

Anyway, just wanted to stop in and say hello. Busy day -- gotta lot of work to do.  You guys have a fun weekend.

Candy

Good afternoon ladies,
Got my weight workout done - and then took PeeWee for his walk. It hasn't been so horribly hot lately whoohoo

Dusta - I agree with you about the late evening workouts - it's still too hot ! I get a better workout early in the mornings. The air feels better too.  (That and I usually talk myself out of it by evening    )

Kris - don't beat yourself up - - - we all fall off the wagon, just get back up. You can do it !
So sorry to hear about your DM's cousin. Wow - 95.

Jill - congrats! on getting those bills paid off! I know that feels good

Muril - the limb was not a big one. LOL Just startled me - no stitches or Xrays required.
Can you hang your Hummy feeder somewhere. That's what we do - - - but of course our cat's sit under the feeder waiting for one of the greedy little birds to swoop down, while they are fighting.
(I'll take your kitty )

Natasha - yum, the crisp sounds good. I didn't get any of our blackberries from our woods this year - it was sooooo hot - they didn't seem to make like usually. Maybe the poor deer ate them.
I am so glad that you said that to Rebecca about the Tomato juice being poisonous to cats - because I have heard of using Tomato juice for Skunk smell - - - but did not know it would hurt my cats !!!!!!! I would have used it around here. For yes, there are skunks in these woods!
(My sweet little Papaw used to call the skunks 'Pole Cats' )

Rebecca - you made me laugh about your Hurricane Food "Supplies" LOL I know what you mean - and we get a lot of Hurricane warnings - evacuations - coming through where we live - - - the Bread - - - and OMG no Water ever on the shelves - - - at the slightest warning. But I guess they'd rather be safe than sorry - - - and um, it sounds like prison food to me though - - - Bread and Water....... I think I like your way - - - I'm gonna get some M&M 's !

Pammie - I'm glad you popped in - was wondering about you and this hurricane! Hope you get your voice back - and find out whats causing it.

(((Candy))) - so sorry about your MIL You and Charle's are in my prayers - and of course your MIL is also.

Dawn -   did I miss you up there????  Was wondering about you and this awful storm also.  Hope all is well.

I better scoot - still haven't made it to the NH this week - - - they are going to think I flew the coup! 
Later Taters.....debi

Hey Ya'll,

I stayed home today, this cold is wearing me out. I didn't sleep much last night & felt bad this morning. So I called in sick :-)   I ran a few errands this morning, then did some cleaning & chores. Now it's my computer time :-)

My BF had her baby this morning. Woohoo!!!! A baby girl, labor didn't go as planned so she ended up having a c-section. But everyone is healthy and doing well. I don't know too many particulars at the moment - weight, length, etc. - because BF was pretty drugged up when she called me LOL!!!!  They still haven't decided a name, so I"m waiting on that too :-)

Hurricane - we're supposed to get some strong winds & heavy rain. The eye is staying east of us, off the coast, then it's supposed to travel up the coast to DC, NY and Pammie!! (stay safe!!).  We can use the rain, just hope the winds are down once it gets this far inland.  One of the guys I work with took off for Myrtle Beach yesterday, he left the office around 10am - he has a camper down there that he & his wife stay in at the campgrounds. They store the camper down there all year and he had to go get it, bring it up to charlotte.

I've never understood the whole "rush out to get bread & milk" thing. We never did that up north. Then again, it was rural and small so everyone had a stocked pantry since there wasn't a Food Lion on every corner LOL!!! When I came to NC and witnessed the first "Bread & Milk" episode, I was like "don't you people have that at home already?!?!?!"  I mean, who doesn't have pb&j ready to go? And Milk? Why? If the power goes out how are you going to keep it from spoiling?????? LOL!!!!!  Weird.

(((((kris)))))  it's hard when you have pressure about a life style you chose. Especially when that pressure comes from a parent. I'm sure you weren't expecting DM to comment, must have thrown you for a loop ((((hugs))))). Hopefully she'll come around for you. LOL at the 3 lonely cookies. I'm the same way :-)

Muril - yikes on the skunk!!!!  I"m glad our cats are indoor only LOL!!!!  Our neighbors cat brought a mole inside once, they have one of those  pet doors - there is a magnet attached to the cat's collar to open the door so nothing else can come in or out. It's kind of neat. Anyway - kitty brought in a mole that wasn't exactly dead LOL!!!!  She said at 4am they were running around the house trying to catch it.  I was thinking along the lines of Dusta - try a water pistol or even one of the nerf dart guns. We use the nerf one on our cats, it's not strong enough to hurt them, but feeling that little "pop" has helped a lot.

Jill - you must have done the happy dance when you saw that bill :-) Woohoo!! Glad it's getting better for you. Ahhh poor riley.She's had a lot of upheaval the last few weeks. I imagine some of this has to do with seeing & leaving her dad again :-(

Debi - nope, you didn't "miss" me LOL!!!!   I can't believe you got hit by the branch the other day! Wow, that must have been startling.

Natasha - glad noob is back home. She's mad she lost the window LOL!!!!

Hi rebecca, dusta, candy, karen, sherry & everyone!!!

we have a lot of little stuff to do around the house, so we're going to stick around this weekend to get that stuff done. I've spent a good part of today doing a bunch of "little" things - reorganizing, throwing out, etc. Stuff that's been on my nerves but I haven't had the time to do :-)

Hope everyone has a good weekend!!

dawn

Ahhhh Im in stress mode about getting home from San Diego. Trying to figure all this crud out.

Muril, yep nothing tomato is okay for a cat! Funny, they love it though. Hope yall dont get too much rain from the storm. The lunch tomorrow sounds like so much fun! Planning with the girls is just a blast!

Pam, you have been a busy bee! Glad you still had a loss though, thats great! Praying its just allergies causing you to lose your voice *hugs* Stay safe during the hurricane!

Dusta, lol at the water squirt. Right you are!

Debi, yay on the cooler temps! Well, not cooler but not horribly hot either :) All tomatoes are dangerous for cats. Ketchup, tomato soup, tomatoes, tomato juice... you get the picture ;)

Rebecca, the one hurricane I was in, we had sodas and pretzels and chips LOL. Power was only out a short amount of time though.

Dawn, sorry you are sick, but hope you are enjoying a restful day at home. Yay, congrats to your friend! LOL on the milk spoiling, very true.

Back to work! Be good!

Candy, Kris would not have said those things to her Mom. She could have said she was trying to make the way she was eating the norm for her.

Hi gals,
I'm ba-ack.
Did go to the NH - - - they were glad to see someone from the "outside" as my Mom puts it.
That sounds sort of scarey, huh. LOL

Dawn - LOL about the cat bringing in the Mole! I have never thought about that - but my kitties are always killing little moles around here. We have a kitty door - (stays locked in the summer though) - it opens to the back screened porch. So they could bring one back there. yikes! We let them in the house in the winter - but in the summer they have to stay out - - - -shedding.
Hope you get to feeling better.

Natasha - my Cat's always hang out in the Tomato garden - - - but they are hiding under the nice shadey cool bushes - - - waiting to jump out at some unsuspecting little bird.
Who needs a Scarecrow! haha
Yeah, lovin' this cooler weather - if you can consider 80's - 90's cooler - - - and the way it has been lately, it's like a cold front!

Dusta - I saw a puzzle today of candy canes - and the whole puzzle itself was shaped like a big Candy Cane.  I thought of you.

I just drank a Myoplex Lite - trying to stop my hunger !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Did weights this morning and that seems to get the ol' tummy rummbling.........

Having left over Fajita's - tonight.

Later Taters.........I should be back, but if not - - - have a great weekend.
Debi

Hi Girls!

Just popping by really quick. Poor kitty is all fresh again and back inside. I was getting worried about him- he licked himself way too much with that junk on him- bleck- but anyway....he is skunkfree now. LOL

Candy I know you mean well- but I agree with Dusta, we can't talk to our Mom's like that- Mom's get special care- now a friend or something one's own age- that's another thing. Plus, I have a feeling that Kris did what Kris wanted- don't think Mom twisted her arm or anything. LOL Nothing hurt though- today is a brand new day.

I am going to try a crazy crust pizza dough recipe tonight- want pizza- mine will be with mozzarella and tomato- DH wants more toppings.

Gotta go - time to start supper! Hugs to All! 

Dusta: i know  different people have different communication styles and although Kris probably couldn't or wouldn't use my exact words, she could use the ones you suggest that get the same idea across. i get a lot of mail from folks who said their friends/family try and sabotouge their  healthy eating lifestyles and it irks me to no end -- 9 times out of 10 they tell them to just "eat normal" and their normal is high calories, fat and sodium. People have just got to realize this isn't normal.  And then they make them feel bad   "we can't have a good time if you don't eat normal". Hogwash. My eating healthy food in no way impedes anyone else from having fun. Anyway, I hate it when people use that ploy, because it's just a mind game and so many folks fall for it.

the other thing they say is "oh just one treat won't hurt". That's like telling an alcoholic that one drink won't hurt. OK, maybe not that severe, but you get the point. Treats should be few and far between -- not every day or even every week -- and they should be dependant on how well you've been sticking to whatever regime/plan you're following.

As for me, well my mom has been dead for 5-6 years but I would have no problem phrasing it like that to her, if indeed that was the case. As it was my mom ate pretty healthy.

Pam: thanks for the thoughts, but they seem to be managing her pain pretty well, which is pretty much the only thing we care about. We just want her to be as comfortable as possible.

candy

Thankfully, we all support eachother for the better, and dont push our own personal opinions on the girls we love :) We can have their best interest at heart, but still, we dont act as if theyve done something terrible because they made some bad choices, every day or every week. Thats what friends are.

Morning girls!

Debi, dont you know youre a different species from the outside free world? LOL! Glad you are getting some relief from your super hot temps. I love all the Christmas stuff coming out this early, makes my tummy flutter and be super excited for Christmas already! Hehe. Hope you enjoyed the fajitas, that sounds super yummy! I love my fajitas most made with shrimp. Yum.

Muril, yay on kitty being all clean! Noob is still digging at her tail with her teeth, which is not a norm for her, so Im afraid the flea both and drops didnt work. Hopefully, it fixes itself (weve really done all we can do at this point). If not, off to the vet she will go for a steroid shot and who knows what else. How did the pizza dough turn out? What makes it a "crazy" crust?

Kris, how did the end of your school week go? Arent you so thankful its the weekend!? Though I know youll stay busy :)

Dawn, hope that you are feeling better today. Enjoy your weekend!

Sherry, havent heard a whole lot from you lately. Hoping that everything is okay? Hows work?

Dusta, whats the plan for the weekend? You and Mel doing anything fun?

My step mom uses Keen sandals and wears em year round. She has very sensitive/sore feet and she swears by these sandals. Supportive with a closed toe, but all open and such to let your feet breathe like flip flops. So, Sean and I went and tried some on last night, picked up a pair for each of us!

http://www.keenfootwear.com/us/en/product/ss11/shoes/women/trailhead/venice/dark%20earth!%20carribean%20sea#

Those are the ones I got. They are super comfy. They slip on, and tighten up by a cord. Im excited because my feet shouldnt be sore after walking all day, its what they are made for! But I dont hafta wear shoes and socks and be all hot (I love to let my feet breathe, hate wearing shoes really). Theyre not the prettiest of shoes, but Im thinking theyll get the job done, and whats most important is me not being miserable and sore :)

Sean likes his because he doesnt walk well in flip lops (just not used to it, hates having to keep them on his feet with his toes). and most strap sandals rub on him and cause blisters. These are just perfect for him, so Im glad he likes em too!

Got about 4.5 hours of sleep, but Im feeling okay. Got up before the alarm. Gonna be a reallllly long day, but Im so looking forward to it! Praying we get there and havent wasted money on our hotel. 9 open seats this morning, 10 standbys. So itll be a full flight LOL. Hopefully we hold enough seniority over those 10!

We should land at 922, gotta pick up the car and then we will be off to Chick Fil A for an early lunch (hey, we will have been up HOURS by then). Then its off to the San Diego Zoo! Thatll take all day, not sure where we will have dinner. Maybe In n Out, maybe El Pollo Loco, we havent decided yet. Staying at a Radisson on the outskirts of town.

Day two is the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Shorter day as we gotta get our flight out that evening.

For now, Im having a yogurt, lara bar and coffee. I dont fly well on an empty stomach and 10am is a long ways away!