Marla- Zach's age confirms that I'm losing my mind. I would have bet $ he was in 8th grade last year based on conversations. Somethings wrong in Spanish class...maybe she isn't an effective teacher? Are you going to meet with her and request she keep you in the loop? Good luck! Lots of worries raising kids... Hang in there! Today I lost a working file of one of my students. Searched everywhere but can't find it. I hope my mind returns... Kudos to you getting a couple of workouts in this weekend and eating well. I'm keeping up with my physical therapy exercises but haven't driven myself to the gym yet. I should at least walk with Leslie Sansone. Kick me in the butt!

Suppose to warm up here by Wednesday and temps in the 30's by Thursday and through weekend. January thaw? Our dinner yesterday was so-so. The show was good but hadn't changed since we saw it 15 or more years ago. We still laughed though.

Shirley-nice of your friend to be so supportive with what she cooks. True friend!

Hi L and Ang! Have we lost Amy?

Jenny

very slight down on the scale - come on persistence! Book report due tomorrow, drama club starts tomorrow and just got an email from the high school about the 8th grade boys going over starting next week to begin football weight training. GAH!

So...I'm through pouting about my mother's comments. I've beared it all of my life (and Shirley, she is only getting stronger in her traits) so what's new?? Funny thing is, she knows how to do it just in my earshot. Very seldom does my husband, cousins, aunts, and friends pick up on it. She truly is one of the nicest people you could meet except for this major flaw.

I've made my way up to 3 mile walks with 15 minute miles. I attempted a very slow jog last night, but will not do that again for a while. It was a Motrin kind of night . I'm horrible about weighing daily now that I've gotten back into the swing of things. Problem is that I've hit my unlucky number on the scale and it will not budge. This is where I've hit every single time I've buckled down to lose weight.

I've got a release to return to work part-time with 4-6 hour work days starting tomorrow. After my eye appointment I'll go in for a couple of meetings and call it a day. That being said, I'll be in your position Ang. I'll need to get my walks in before going to work. It's so cold outside and warm in my bed. I feel the struggle coming on already.

Cool thing going on around the corner from where I live. They are filming the remake to Roots. It's been fun watching the crews transform old buildings into a diner and "cut and curl." Today was the first day of filming. Old cars are lining the streets for the movie and the food truck is parked in my parking space. I haven't heard who is starring in it. This is at least the 4th movie being filmed here. Our balcony will appear in a film that hasn't been released yet (can't remember the name of it).

You are kidding, Marla!! Zach went from an A to a F?? I completely understand how you must feel. My guess is that she did not grade regularly and didn't see the failing grades until it was too late. Surely speaking with the teacher would not make the situation difficult on Zach. On a happier note, congrats on the downward budge on the scale, good eating, and workouts over the weekend.

Jenny, I have been so cold all day and we are in the upper 30's and low 40's. I just can't fathom your temps. I would NEVER make it. Saturday was such a pleasant day, but it has been grey, gloomy, and rainy ever since. I need some vitamin D in my life.

What a nice thing your friend did for your dinner together, Shirley.

Have a good night and a happy Wednesday.

Will read later - day got away from me - ball games tonight - unfortunately in two different towns. I am staying and watching Caleb's first JV game and Bernie is off for the away Varsity game. Mmmmmmffffffftttt!!! I want both! Go Vikes!

WooHoo! Way to go Zach.

Shirley, I live just outside of Baton Rouge but yes, New Orleans is another hot spot for filming. We've been coined "Hollywood South" for a few years now. I took a couple of classes at LSU last year and enjoyed watching the filming of Pitch Perfect on campus. (It was funny listening to celebrity interviews complaining of the heat and humidity-- particularly Fat Amy.) Several young girls from my area were extras. And yes, Jenny, the tax breaks draw them in. Sadly, no, we haven't seen a dime. I keep waiting on them to ask to film Pearl while we are out on our walks.

African food? That sound interesting. Can't wait to hear what you ordered.

You ladies deserve some warm temps! Hope you enjoy them to the fullest this weekend. The sun should start peaking out tomorrow. I C A N N O T W A I T !!! Seems like it has been weeks.

Amy posts on FB pretty regularly. She is so funny. I do miss reading her posts here too.

I've got dinner on the stove, so going to run. Have a good evening.

Hello Ladies ,

I'm back . whew . I think I get into these patterns or something where I just can't cope with anything more than the every day crazy . I complain I am exhausted and then I work on my time off ! seriously ?

Anyhow all is well in my world I am still busy as all getout, but I got a raise . A pretty significant one too . The best thing about it, is that it is about the same as the cost for college for my daughter so I'm excited about that . It'll be all normal money wise .

I met a new friend that I will walk with when I am home . Even when it's cold I love walking outside .

We went on a weekend at the local ski lodge and it was wonderful but not really enough snow to ski , in Alaska ,can you believe it?It was so nice and relaxing though.

My weight is out of control hahaha , of course I'm still working on it .

I haven't heard the latest news from my brother about his kidneys . He just had a biopsy this week so I'm patiently waiting for news.

My Grandbabies were visiting me lots for my first two weeks home oh man did I enjoy them ! so cute . I love seeing their personalities develop .

I'll catch up soon and write more coherently hahaha .I'm all over the place because I have some appointments scheduled and they will be here any minute so I'm rushing -which seems to be my life at work .

Amy

I missed checking in yesterday with all of you. Book club and our dinner at the African restaurant was Thursday eve. It was an interesting experience and quite fun. The member who planned it (hostess for the book) made a reservation for us. There were 9 of us because some couldn't attend. It was obvious they don't get too many caucasian people in the restaurant. Everyone who walked in looked like they were people who immigrated from Africa or were 2nd/3rd generation here in America. They stared at us when they walked in and continued to blatantly look at us from their tables. It was funny. Our server was a young man who was born here but his mother is Liberian and fled there during the civil war in the 80's/90's. He was very personable and said he had read the book too and loved it. His father made him watch videos of the war in Liberia when he was younger so he would understand what happened and what the war was about. The hostess paid for the entire dinner as she usually does. She ordered 3 appetizers, 7 entrees, and a dessert for all of us to share. It was a lot of food. I tried everything but some meat that came in a soup. Very spicy food so needless to say my intestines reacted when I got home. Our server explained each dish to us and said what was in it. Some of the food was eaten in our book that we read.

As we were leaving two tables of women spoke to us. One table were two black women who appeared to have been born and raised here. They wanted to know if we liked the food and what we were reading, what kind of group we were, etc. The second group were three young African women (teens or 20' maybe came here as children?) in full traditional dress for Muslim women. They asked about our book because they were a book club of 3 and were discussing the same book! It would have been fun to know that and have them join us for a broader perspective. Very nice people and service. I would go back and take Russ. We love trying different ethnic restaurants.

Work is crazy. Administration is nuts and the state is piling on more paperwork. Retirement can't come fast enough. Count down to Florida and this current 3 day weekend are a blessing. Did you see my picture on Facebook of the two fox that were outside my work window on Thursday? They were huge and beautiful. They've been wandering around my side of the city. My neighbor has seen them in our neighborhood. Weird!

I'm getting long winded. I have another coat of paint to do on furniture and then walk the dogs. We have a concert tonight. I'll write more tomorrow.

Welcome back Amy and congrats on your raise!

Jenny

Well Good day again ,

I've had a few good days here at work , busy but really good . Maybe it's the raise and knowing they appreciate me because I sure have been busy .

I did some blood work recently and my vit D is really low ( NO SURPRISE THERE, It's so dark all the time . ) so I have ordered some vitamins , my thyroid is low but my provider doesn't think I need medication yet . sigh , I'll just struggle through and keep trying to lose weight lol . I was almost hoping to have some excuse for the weight gain other than I have no self control .

Jenny ,Nice fox picture . I love all the tracks in the yard ! Oh and I wanted to mention how in AWE of you I am , You actually sent out cards ! I have an aversion to the post office I swear it - I still haven't mailed my friends cup from China to her - nor the head band I made Shirley , sigh . I'm going to try to mail both when I get home in two weeks . Other wise it'll be too hot for Shirley to wear it
- I used to be in a book club a long time ago I loved it but working up here it's hard to do it anymore, This story makes me want to try it again - and African food .
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- Marla , My goodness I hope you feel better soon any more news? Baby Zephyr was amazing to have in the house every day for two weeks ,I enjoyed it so very much and hope that he comes over more often . WOW . Jayse also came over on a couple of days also and I was one happy Grandma! SO what's the news on the car?

Shirly - I love that you post about the weather haha it's -35 with the wind chill today . I had to shovel the 2 feet of snow piled up in front of the office just to open the door . It didn't snow that much but the wind piled it all in front so if I wanted in I had to work .

L , first I want to say I am so sorry about your friend - I have a best friend in Louisiana that I don't see nearly enough and when I go back to Louisiana in March I'm taking off with her and just going someplace just her and I for about 5 days.( Monica has a hard time sharing me ) I'm hoping to get a last minute cruise out of N.O. but if not just a trip in the car or on a plane last minute deals here I come as for your mom . OMG ! as I said my mom used to do that to me and I'm not sure what happened lately but I had gained weight before my last trip to Louisiana and she did not say a word - when I mentioned it she said " I'm sure you'll be able to get back on your diet and lose it, don't give up" I called Monica next door and told her our mother had been replaced by an alien hahaha! She has never ever been supportive about our weight . So maybe there is hope for your mom don't you just want to call her a meanie when she does that ? oh and btw , You look terrific !

Anj , It's been so long since I logged in I just read about the lawyers going to your play . That was so sweet . I'm so glad they showed you that support . also about the chocolate berries haha I love those . How are your knees doing ? I hope much better . Sounds like you and I have similar weather huh?

Amy