I'm sorry about your weigh-in, Punki! I had a bad one, too -- gained 2 1/2 pounds. But I definitely did something to deserve it -- ate a ton of Girl Scout cookies. I'm really glad they're gone, and I'm not buying them again.

I made my "daily health goals" poster and put it up by my computer. I like looking at the pictures, and I think it's going to help me get into the mindset to eat in a healthy way, meditate, exercise, go to bed earlier (I'm terrible about that), and take time to be in the moment and cultivate joy.

Have a good night, everyone.

Sue

Actually, packing was more or less fun--more fun when I found things that fit well and less fun when I tried outfits that weren't quite ready for prime time. :laugh: :laugh: Oh well, I still have 49 days until my cruise and that is when I really want to be able to just walk into my closet and pick out anything and have it fit.

I really don't need a lot for this trip as it will mostly be flying and hanging out on the mountain, except for two days in Zurich at the end, and then one night in Frankfurt.

I think I told you that we return from Switzerland at 2:00 p.m. on the 24th and have to be at a black-tie dinner dance by 6:30 p.m. Planning ahead, I prepared my gown and accessories this evening, after we got home from the art show. The fabric of my gown was so fine and light that I couldn't sew it on my machine--I tried and failed. :sad: So, I had to take it all out and start over, just like when we messed up in Home Ec, and do it by hand. It took a long time, but it turned out perfectly so I am saved from trying to find a tailor who could finish it before Wednesday.

Do they still teach Home Ec? Back when I was a girl even the very most acdemic girls had to take Home Ec. I am not at all sorry as it laid the ground work for my sewing and cooking skills, which I highly treasure. My kids went to private schools that had no Home Ec or Shop, so we were careful to teach both our son and our daughter how to cook, sew, clean, garden, build, etc. When our son was 10, he made a bathrobe with perfectly matched plaid. The owner of our local sewing shop was so impressed that she display it in the window of her shop. He still loves to sew and does all of his own mending and makes all of the Halloween costumes for him and his girlfriend.

Holy Cow, how on earth did it get to be 10:30 already? I guess time flies when you are having fun.

Catch you tomorrow.

P.S. I did cave in and have a glass of wine at the art show. :blushing: Other than that I was perfect all day.

Like you we travel quite a bit. Leaving next week for Atlanta to see all the grandkids and our kids. I really love to travel, but hate packing. It'll be especially difficult in June, when we will be gone a month in Europe. Not sure how to do it but I'm sure I'll figure it out. Not sure whether or not to bring 2 sizes of clothes. :laugh: Maybe I shouldn't then I'll be forced to eat lighter. :bigsmile:

Don't worry about your weight gain, you are a good soldier and will get back into form in no time...I'm sure you are already there. I hope my daughter doesn't have too many snacks in her house, as I love them - especially the salty ones. She is watching what she eats anyway, so that should help and she tries to cook healthy but her kids don't like to eat too many things other than plain pasta, pizza and chicken nuggets. Thankfully, I don't like nuggets but I love pizza and pasta. Two of my great weaknesses.

Enjoy the trip!! Keep us posted. Will you have a means of staying on MFP? Enjoy!!

Well I practiced being a fearless woman today Steppingstone. I tried a sit up!!! OH MY!!!! I do a lot of exercises for my core and chair sit ups, but no no with a regular one. So I did crunches and will continue daily to see if I can improve. my kettle ball class will not be. It is at 6 AM not 6 PM. I don't do mornings. I am looking into either Pilates or belly dancing at a private studio (inexpensive) 3 blocks from my house. My gym is 3 blocks the other way!

Punki, have a lovely trip. You look lovely in your new photo and I am sure you will shine.

Hello to my new friends here and welcome. Since I am a hunt and peck typist, I will not be as gabby as I am in person. Be grateful!!!

Home from my yearly St. Patrick's Day outing with my Irish friend to see The Rovers and overindulge in corned beef. OK, and alcohol. Two Clarets and a Baileys and an Irish banana drink thingy so sweet we poured it into coffee. The Rovers were singing Irish drinking songs....I could not resist.
Does anyone know if clapping hands and swinging your head for 2 hours count as exercise?
I hope you have lovely dreams and Punki sleeps through the night.

I linked to your profile picture of your caviar. Looks luscious. That's one hunka munka load of caviar.

Good Afternoon, Evening or Morning all,

I am posting my day as it is getting to be a habit that I'm going to have to try to break. :noway: I love my husband, however, when he goes to town to "help" me, sometimes I want to put a for sale sign around his neck. There isn't anything he can't do. He really is an amazing man. Now for the BUT. When we go to town to pick things up, it would be quicker and easier if I could pick up things that he is wanting to buy. So here goes. You can shake your heads or laugh if you want, I just have to get it out of my system.

First I had a Doctors appointment. So far so good. He stayed in the car and waited. Then we went to Wal-Mart. We went from one end of Wal-Mart to the other. Vegies in front, Milk in rear. Elec. cords at other end (swear it was 2 miles) and even further was the Penzoil and Oil. Then back to grocery end because I had more than 20 items. All the quick check outs at the end where the oil was.:grumble: We or I usually park far out in the parking lot so I get in some walking. Today that was a mistake. By now my back is screaming.

We then went to PetCo for stuff for the dogs. Zukes was at the back of store with "natural" dog items. I picked up a big bag then asked a clerk where teeth cleaning spray was.:bigsmile: She said up at the dogie salon. So I walked to the front of the store where the salon was. Oh no, they don't sell it there. It's at the back of the store on the Right Hand side from the natural dog stuff. So back to the back of the store again. By then my back is really screaming. When I get there the shelf was empty. The delivery is tomorrow. By then my knee is starting to hurt. (They need carpet in these stores for the old folks with bad backs and knees.) I get out to the car to head to the pharmacy to pick up my prescription and my husband said he wanted to stop at Home Depot first. Ok, no problem it's right across from PetCo. . Ok, he needs something for an antique hanging lamp he is restoring and couldn't find it at Wal-Mart. Of course, We go in and the item he needs is at the back of the store in electric. On our way, I see some carpet cleaner that I want and forgot to pick up at Wal-Mart. I stop to pick it up off the shelf and look up and he is GONE. Ok, so I head back to electric. My walking is getting slower and slower as my back is hurting and my knee is also screaming now. So I get to electric and no hubby. Now I figure he must have gotten what he wanted and headed up to pay for it. I go up a few isles looking for him just in case. Nope. I get to the front and he's not up there either. I think he must have finished and headed out to the car. I take my carpet cleaner and head out to the parking lot. It's pretty crowded so we had to park clear out at the garden end. More walking. Can't say I didn't get my exercise. Oh,Oh he's not in the car, so back to the store to see if maybe he didn't have enough cash or something. Low and behold he is coming out the exit as I hit the entrance. Thank goodness I saw him before I went in. He "picked" up a few things in hardware that he wanted. Only isle I didn't look down.

So now we are on our way, hit the freeway and off we go. We get up the freeway about a mile and he wants to stop at Fastenal. It's a place that caters to machines, drill presses etc. A guy place. So we pull off the freeway and start over the bridge and there are police all over the place. Lights flashing etc. We get around them and make a quick stop so he can get his special bolt and back on the freeway.

We get to the pharmacy and there is a line of 7 or 8. By now my back and feet are calling me names. I get the prescription and go back to the car. Ok, now home? Right?? Noooooo, he wants to stop to buy a Lottery ticket. (I hate them and think they are a waste of money), but it's his money. So we go home the long way through California so he can get his ticket. It's only 7 miles more to go through Calif., we live in Nevada near the border anyway.

Now mind you he went in to help me. Right? The only place he went in with me was Wal-Mart and he walks slower than I so that slowed me down. The rest of the time except for Home Depot he waited in the car.

So now you know why I am going to hang a FOR SALE sign around his neck. Of course we won't mention the times when he wanted to hang that sign around my neck. I guess we'll keep each other. You kind of get used to each other after 54 years.

Actually, it was a beautiful day. Bright blue sky, Big fluffy clouds and 62 degrees. Two doggies met us at the gate when we got home with wagging tails and wet tongues a lickin. Can't be all bad.

So that was my exercise for today. I refuse to mention the eating. :blushing:

I truly hope everyone else had a wonderful day.

Ginny:flowerforyou:

Hi Punki,

I hope you had a nice rest in anticipation of your trip to Zurich. The doctor said that my back pain is due to bone on bone. My lumbar area has, for want of a better word, hardened cushioning between the discs. No nerve damage just bone on bone. That's the lower back. Yes, it is much more painful to stand than walk, sometimes. If it gets too bad I do have to sit down to relieve it. My upper back between the shoulder blades is painful at times too. That is due I'm told to my Hypothyroidism. I also think it is due to a weak core.:blushing:: I know my knee is just that my muscles don't support the replaced knee.

Actually, my arthritis has improved since I had part of my thyroid and one parathyroid removed. My endo. told me it would as a lot of people think their arthritis causes some of their pain and it's their thyroid not working correctly. So I am working on getting thyroid medications normalized.

Moving, yes it is so important. Both my parents were very active, hiking, horseback riding, gardening etc. So we were raised that way. I have been in sports of some kind most of my life. It's very hard for me to go at exercise in a what, umm sensible way? I tend to really go for it. For the most part, I don't have an issue with getting out of breath no matter what exercise I do. I'm in good shape that way. Most of it is the ole body just won't go as it used to. lol.

I have been using my stationary bike for exercise. I started out doing easy level 1. After a week I went to level 2 , then another week and started the level 3 interval training. According to my son, who is into running and strength training, he says I went too fast. Should have done 1 month each before moving on. So I payed for it. Now I'm back to walking, I like it better anyway, in hopes of working up to a higher level and more mileage walking. I also know when I lose weight I will put less pressure on my discs and knee.

So you are doing great with the walking. I do take arthritis medicine but just a small amount. Most of the pain in my back can be relieved, right now, by sitting down for a few minutes. I did walk, circled, the perimeter of our yard this morning with the dogs. It's about 2 acres up and down the hills. Not much, but it counts. Besides the dogs love it. We throw sticks and climb rocks and play chase around bushes. I like the uneven ground as it helps with my balance. I just do it a little slower now.

Have a great time in Zurich and keep us up on all your fun and adventures.

Bet ya didn't think you were going to get a book huh? :noway:

Take care, eat well, enjoy yourself.

Ginny:flowerforyou: