Hello Ladies, I hope all is going well for you. Wednesdays are usually pretty good days for me. I get to see Alanna for a bit in the morning then head off to teach a couple of ballroom classes. Today one of the young men (I teach at a college) asked me what he could do to lighten my day. When I told him just him asking that was enough and he said “well, you make so many people happy I figured it would be nice if someone returned the favor” What a sweet young man, I just want to adopt him.

Vikki – sounds like you did pretty well making up for eating the cookies, and if you are eating healthy otherwise veering off course now and then shouldn’t be too damaging.

Patti – I hope we get to see these invitations when you are done with them. I’m sure they’re just beautiful. Also, though I’m a bit late with it, congratulations with your weekend success! It sounds like you were great around all that food; well done! I am not really much of a gardener. Most of the plants in my yard are left over from the previous owner. I don’t mind getting out and doing some gardening now and then, but usually reserve my energy for other things.

Diane – So glad you are home safe and sound! Too bad you had to get to work right away just to get in your driveway. I don’t mind a little snow but am not sure I’d be up for living in weather like that!

Karla – You are doing so great with getting your steps in! wonderful tenacity to that goal. Thank you for sharing your pictures of your precious grand daughter; what a little angel. Sounds like you were busy today and very successful at getting things done

Janet – I think we are all a little outraged for you at the fool telling you to get down to 120-125. Almost makes me wish some sort of weight issue on her….almost. Don’t let it get to you, you know that is much too small and you know what is a good size for you. I’m glad you seem to be at a place where you know what is right and don’t feel the need to follow her instruction.

MaryLynn – wonderful NSV’s for the week! 750 minutes of workout; that is impressive!

Bert – Sounds like your NSV’s were wonderful. I had to miss church for a few months a short while ago and it was such a relief when I went back, so refreshing to be back with a body of believers. I’m glad you are feeling up to getting out and about again.

Suzi - I like to garden, but I tend to kill things…sad but true. I always say, don’t give me a plant unless you want it dead. I only keep very hardy plants (thus all the bulbs). Someday I would love to learn how to care for them, though, so I can have a beautiful garden; veggies and flowers.

Myra – Sometimes my daffodils do ok after a frost, sometimes not so much. The ones in the backyard, which get more sun, are generally ok, but the ones in the front don’t always bloom if they start poking through before the winter frost is done.

I have been coming in under my calories this week, which is unusual for me and may not be a good thing. I am hoping that I am better enough that it will be ok, but recent history has shown that this means I’ll gain some weight because my body wants to hold onto everything if it feels like it isn’t getting enough. I don’t own a scale that works so I won’t know much unless my clothes start to fit differently.

Sounds like you all are doing very well on your NSV’s; wonderful job!
Grace and Peace to you
Jeanette

Karla-how did you post your pictures? Did you let MFP have access to them?

Hi everyone!! Sorry I don't post here often... Going to try and change that, and start setting small goals.... I'm ready for this cold weather to go away.... Going to ice my knee and watch some TV.... Stay warm every one.

Jeanette, how sweet of that young man to notice you needed lift and did something about it. Bet it made your day.
Bert, sorry to hear you are having pain but sounds like you are doing the right things to make it better.
Tracy, you did great tonight despite your knee pain, hope the ice helps so you will be ready for whatever she throws at us at TRX tomorrow nite.

My Mom loved her sesame sticks. She was like a little kid. The paper holder was just what she wanted and now realizes she needs one for the other bathroom, so it is on the list for the next time I head in that direction.

I think I have worked out the paper issue and won't have to buy more. Just need to get her approval before I start putting them together. The hardest part is the pocket, lots of cuts and scores and then getting to attach to the card in just the right spot. I am going to try to get some of the printing done this weekend. So far I just have the blank pieces of paper temporarily taped together so I could figure out the sizes of each piece. It is a lot of math and trying to get the most of each piece of paper with minimum waste but I think I have it worked out now.

Going to chill, have Circuit in the morning.
Patti

Good evening Ladies,
Apologies for not getting to personal comments until late tonight. I realize that may often be the case for some and it is amazing that you find the time to accomplish all that you do in one day!
Cindy: You are taking so many positive steps forward, including honesty with yourself. That is probably one of the most complex parts of the journey - how we feel about our actions and how we handle disappointment with ourselves. We all have "triggers" and you'll find yours too.
Your caring personality always comes through as you encourage us all. Thanks for being you!

Bert: Your energy levels (despite that awful nerve pain) seem really high. Hang in there as this continues to challenge you and test your patience. Sometimes all it takes is a good sleep. Hoping you get a wonderful rest tonight and that the pill does provide the comfort you need.

Karla: Wonderful energetic you!! Racing through the list after the serene start to your day is obviously working great. So pleased for your accomplishments and progress. It does take time to get in all those steps. It is totally worth it and building muscle always helps as well! No wonder the slimming is noticeable for you already...bet your family is noticing it too!

Janet: The grace and self-confidence within you is so evident today. It seems to have grown stronger in spite of the needless pain you endured. Oh, those warnings that come up on car computers now! I suppose we should be grateful, but do be careful with those legs, okay? Let us know when you've gotten home again and are resting with the heating pad on once more. Glad that the antibiotics are doing their job too and that healing is underway for you slowly.

Patti: Would love to see what the invites look like as well, when you are pleased with them and ready to show us. Your craftiness is inspiring me as well as others here. It sounds complex! I have some Arches watercolor paper waiting for me on the studio table downstairs. Saw some beautiful misty clouds in among the mountains and trees the other day. Soft green/grays. Glad you found the paper you were looking for and are making such great progress with them.

We ventured out to the local mall to track down some rain gear and new runners, as it was absolutely pouring here today (still is)! We did get in some walking and just finished lifting some weights, so that can get checked off the "to do" list. Food was a bit hit-and-miss, thus fiber and protein are both on the low side for me.

Will be back tomorrow for more personal comments, as I can only scan up so for on one page.

Nite nite all!

MaryLynn

Good Morning, Ladies.

TT: One of my quick breakfast meals is an apple with natural peanut butter. It's 310 calories 35 Carbs 16 Fat 8 Proteins 52 sodium 25 sugar

Karla, I'm going to try your breakfast tomorrow. That sounds very good. I never think of bananas and peanut butter when I'm making breakfast.

I got a good night's sleep (for me anyway, I'm a tosser and turner). It's very sunny today and is to get up into the 40's today. Looking forward to that. I'm meeting my students this afternoon, so I'm glad the weather is going to be good for driving/walking on campus. Have a great day everyone.

Bert

Good morning all,
Mary Lynn, you certainly have a lovely way of turning a phrase and so kind to all of us. I will post a pick of the invites once I get a final copy done. They are very plain but I am hoping she will want the addition of the flower stamped in a few places

Suzi, always nice to have you stop by, there are just some days that there aren't enough hours, so it is nice just to have you say hi.

Bert, hope your pain pill and good sleep keep you going through your day.

TT: I pretty much stick with my omelet. Never get tired of it and it is the one thing that seems to really hold me for hours. If I don't have an omelet I usually have an egg sandwich, lol. Creature of habit or plain lazy and uninspired first thing in the morning? It could be either one depending on the day. I have tried oatmeal, I don't hate it but it just does nothing for me. I decided a long time ago, I will only eat food I enjoy and I don't seem to enjoy oatmeal. My Dad ate oatmeal almost every morning for the past 10 years of his life, I don't think he particularly loved it but with his heart disease, diabetes and kidney failure there were few options. He was a lover of food and was reduced to so few options, the kidney failure was the most limiting. So maybe my attitude was shaped because I worry that some day there will be foods that will be off limits, so I better eat them now. Just some morning ruminations.

I hit my mini goal again yesterday. Amazing what a little cheese will do to up the calories. I have also switched to the Oikos Triple Zero, not sure I like it better but like that it has less of the bad stuff in it. It is a bit bland and smooth. So I have been adding fruit and chopped pecans to punch it up a bit. Off to the gym here in a few for circuit/pilates and then TRX tonight. Going to make the Jalapeno/Pineapple chicken bites for dinner with some fresh green beans. I always get excited when the grocery has good looking beans this time of year, it is rare though. I am rediscovering my love of kiwis, they are so good for us with lots of vitamin C and fiber. Getting so excited to go to NC for the Superbowl. Edd has known this friend for over 50 years. They are so much fun and hate that they live so far away. We don't get to see them nearly enough. They always treat us like royalty when we are there. One of the best things is we will be coming home with fresh eggs. He has become a chicken farmer in the past 2 years. Just build the cutest chicken coupe, a little blue house complete with shutters and window boxes filled with flowers. He ever put 20 year dimensional shingles on it, lol. I love farm fresh eggs, but they have to be fried over easy so I can really enjoy the buttery yolk, you just can't get that flavor from the grocery. Good thing I already ate breakfast or would be making myself hungry right now, lol. Better get going but I will stop by later.

Patti

Hi Ladies-
very quick check in. I rode my stationary bike yesterday for 30 minutes- another NSV for me this week-
Patti- the black bean burgers are from skinny taste i double the recipe and use a 1/3 or 1/2 measuring cup to make the burgers then use a spoon to shape them to the exact size you;d like. Had one for dinner last night but I didn't buy avocado and missed it. Feel free to post to our recipe site. I just don't have time at the moment.
To everyone I don't have time for personals at the moment but your kind thoughtful and encouraging words mean more than you know. Thank you....
I will get back to being chatting Me soon- I hope
BTW- I finished the book so it is off to a beta reader for consistency before the copy editor. I am making progress. For those of you new to the saga I write romance novels- if you're interested check out my website at lucinda dot race dot com- no pressure just bringing you into the loop.
Talk to you all soon- hugs for all

Hi all.

Karla, I took the bit of packing out Tuesday night. Driving isn't a problem - the joint itself isn't part of the scar. Only one pain pill today - yay! Hoped to go without but the pain means it's healing!

Took car in and they tightened lines and cleaned, tightened cap & gasket. Was only $65. Not fun expense but glad it wasn't more. Went to a local breakfast place and had half an omelet with many veggies and a touch of cream cheese, plus the splurge of sourdough toast. Had tomatoes & fruit in place of potatoes or grits. Worth the calories. A light dinner will keep me within limits for the day.

Because eating anything, no matter how virtuous, makes me very hungry (my body is weird), breakfast for me is usually a Light & Fit yogurt and fruit.

Must go now - sorry no personals today but I have read all. I am not a gardener at all - born with two brown thumbs!

No energy for a lot of personals tonight, but I wanted to weigh in on gardening. I love to garden, and in our first house had a huge vegetable garden and a beautiful yard - we won our neighborhood "Yard of the Month" several times. But the house we've been in for the last 23 years is in a wooded area. We've tried growing vegetables and have finally given up except for in a few pots on the deck. We try on the yard but it just won't cooperate.

With that said, I do have a ton of daffodils, of various varieties. Many of them sprouted in the unusually warm spell over the holidays, and are now buried in mounds of snow.

One objective for a retirement home - enough sun to have a nice garden!

Wow! I got 7,479 steps today! I felt good today as well. It was also a beautiful day.

I am beat! Both classes were killer today but I did not whimp out, so feeling good. Tomorrow is Zumba and Pilates, so not as hard on my joints. Dinner and dishes done. I met my mini goal for the 3rd day in a row. Mashed up some avocado with true lime and garlic powder and spread it on my turkey sandwich, add yogurt with pecans and mission accomplished. Bit of a glitch with the invitations. My laptop is on it's last legs, so today it decided it will no longer talk to my printer. I tried all sorts of work arounds but it is crafty and blocked all my attempts to copy the documents to any other device like a thumb drive or sd card. So I will have to take my printer to Mom's, use her computer to recreate them and hopefully be able to get the printing done. Which means I also need to take the paper cutter and paper and the laptop. I may do it this weekend. So frustrating but just really can't afford a new computer right now. Date night so will have 2 hours to put my feet up before I go to bed. I may not have hit my 10K steps but I have really burned the calories today.

Diane, sounds like your day was hijacked. So hard to come back from vacation but even harder when you can't go back to your routine.

Patti

Hi Ladies- I'm back- weighed in today and was ticked- the stupid scale went up again and I am hungry. I'm starting to feel like a failure- I'm tracking, moving and drinking lots of water.
I won't give up but the day definitely didn't start off on a good note.
Diane- sorry about the missed workout and long commute- but welcome home
Patti- good for you pushing your limits
Janet- glad the car repair wasn't worse- how is the leg today?
Karla- you're pictures are showing the correct size- how did you do that?
Stay strong with the cake.
Bert- good for you getting in lots of steps- way to go!
Breakfast for me- weekdays, either whole grain english muffin with PB n J and milk and banana or raisin bran or shredded wheat cereal with banana and milk
Weekends- cooked eggs, or something that takes longer to prep- I've switched to whole wheat flour for pancakes and waffles so cleaner eating. But do limit those days.
Myra- interesting breakfast but as long as you love it- go for it
Gardening- we have 5 raised bed in the yard and I love to putter. I grow a ton of tomatoes, then some herbs, salad fixings, radishes and last year zucchini and winter squash- the WS didn't work out so well- they were about a big as on mouth full.
We also have a lot of flowers- up until the fall we had chickens too but the stupid birds starting eating the eggs so they went to a new home.
Suzi- Have fun in NO and catch some beads- LOL
MaryLynn- I need to get some new sneakers you post reminded me. Hope they are comfy.
Jeannette- the young man sounds like he was raised well- good to have a nice person around.
Odd thing happened last night and I feel really bad, still. Rick and I went to the Jeff Dunham show when we came out a man came up to us, handed us his VA card and said 'I'm homeless, not a scum bag and I'm trying to get to Fort Bragg for assistance.' Well here is the thing the only bill I had in my bag was 100 and I didn't even try to pull out change, instead I said, I'm sorry I don't carry cash. He looked turned and left but the look on his face broke my heart. I know there are many people who really aren't homeless but he really might have needed help. Oh and there was an older woman struggling to step over something and he went and assisted her.
I feel awful- I give to lots of things and try to really be kind to others, but for some reason this is really bothering me and I didn't sleep well last night.
Sorry to unload but I can't get the look on his face as he walked away, off my mind-
Well back to the day job-
Cindy