Thanks so much for the birthday wishes! I had a wonderful weekend. Had a chance to catch up with some relatives from my dad's side on Saturday, and my mom's side on Sunday. Loved it! Also had 3, count 'em THREE birthday cakes...so had a small slice of each. My favorite was the white cake w/ coconut icing. Coconut is my all-time favorite; even better than chocolate anything!

Sooooo, I kicked my own butt this morning and started in with journaling each morsel that goes into this mouth. When you see it on paper, it makes a difference.

Zig, hope you have some power by now.

Where is BJ?

Gotta run!
Thanks again for the party!

Take care, eat healthy, and NEVER NEVER GIVE UP!
DeeMarie

DeeMarie, HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!! Sorry I missed it. Sounds like you had a great day. I would pick coconut over chocolate anyday. I eat a ton of the Blue Bunny Lite 85 coconut cream pie yogurt. Love the stuff!!!

We are leaving bright and early Saturday Morning for the Riveria Maya Mexico. The girls are staying with the grandparents. Hopefully everything will go smooth. I hate leaving them. We will be back on March 1st.

Better run. Have a great day.

Jen

DEE! I'm sorry I missed your birthday! I knew it was Saturday, and whoosh! The weekend just went by! IO'm glad you had a haapy one, and YUMMERS! :):) I **love** coconut anything! :) So, happy belated birthday, my gorgeous, Neiw Joisey sister! (((((((XOXOXO))))))))

Suzanne--Snort! I wasn't the only one--a writer for "USAToday described Rufus as having a
'perfect, egg-shaped head'. And I don't think the Whippet has been found--gad--you know her owners are frantic!

Yep--winter has hit--well, the cold temps anyhoo. It was 68 one day early last week, and it's 24 now. After reading Zig's -6, I shore ain't gonna complain! :)

OK--I haven't told any stories for a bit--these all happened during 3 days between Christmas and NYE--did I tell the one about my aquarium catching fire? (then, it's the black-widow spidey story, and the carpet glue story--

heehee! :)

Hugs,

Maddie

Happy Monday, all! It's only noon and I am finished with work for the day. I am home alone and am going to use the day to catch up on some paper pushing.

DeeMarie, I am glad that your Birthday was a success. You are right, when you write it down, it makes a difference. I have gotten into the habit of menu planning using fitday.com. I print it out and carry it with me for the day. If it's not on the paper, it doesn't go in my mouth : )

Jen, have a wonderful vacation!

I feel almost guilty telling you guys about our weather... Sunny, slightly breezy and 72 degrees. There is snow on the foothills after our brief storm on Saturday. Truly a picture perfect day.

Milkdud, I feel for you with your knee problems. I go back for my 2nd prolotherapy tx this Friday. I cannot WAIT to be active again. I am doing some walking in place and have ordered a Leslie Sansone tape.(thank you for the review Zig)

NH Suzanne, are doing much riding in this weather? How was your visit with your ex client?

Raeanne, how's it working out with your personal trainer? I want to hear all about it!

I think we need to put out an APB on our MIAs.
Bj,(yes, you under the laundry pile!) the schools are closed today.... check in!

Br~ 1 wedge Mexican fritata, 1/2 grapefruit
sn~ laughing cow lite herb and garlic cheese w/ celery
lunch~ cup homemade veg. soup, 3 oz. shrimp, salad w/ lite fantastico dressing
sn~ Non fat lemon yogurt
dinner~ tortilla soup w/ 3 oz chix (sans tortillas)and a lg. salad w/ salsa

Have a great day everybody!

Tikanas

Dee - I'm glad you enjoyed your birthday - 3 cakes all had to be tasted, I agree. Where we disagree is coconut over chocolate - I like coconut but love chocolate. I also agree with you that journaling makes a huge difference.

Tikanas - great idea about printing the menu. I pretty much plan ahead with my WW journal, especially in this early stage of the game. Last week's weigh in was a standstill but at least it wasn't a gain. I really want to lose this week and hopefully hit my first 10 lb mark. And about that weather, I will forgive you even though I am jealous.

Maddie, I have to hear about the aquarium fire and black widow spider-eww. How are ya doing?

Jen - have a wonderful vacation!!

Raeanne - how is your weather? I would also like to know how the personal trainer is working for you.

Milkdud - I hope all goes well with the knee - I am thinking of you.

Zig - I hope you got your power back on.

I took my walk already (a short one, just day 2) and am going to grab something to eat. Everyone check in and be good! Have a a great evening.

Donna

I'm doing a little more Atkins these days in order to shed weight a little faster before the surgery. I'm also taking a very potent multi-vitamin loaded with iron which the surgeon prescribed, and it's making me nauseous. I see my GP tomorrow for my pre-op workup, so maybe he'll have suggestions for how to counteract this bad reaction.

Dee, your birthday weekend sounded wonderful. Three kinds of cakes??? Wow!

Tikanas, good luck with your next round of shots. Hope your knee is feeling better with every round.

Jen, enjoy your vacation. Your girls will be spoiled rotten while you're gone, so why not enjoy yourself? LOL

Donna, isn't it sad when we have to work and the rest of the world is off? Or at least it feels like the rest of the world is free.

Maddie, I really enjoy your stories. My son's roomie had an electrical fire in their apartment last month, and his aquarium is a big melted blob now. Their story wasn't interesting, but I'll bet yours is, so do tell!

Raeanne, are you too sore from working out to write? How is the personal trainer working out for you?

Patti, where are you?

Take care. We're finally going to have warm temps again tomorrow after 4 days down in the high 20's and 30's. That was enough winter for me.

Just getting ready to leave work and thought I'd check in before I go. We should have our power restored by midnight so only one more night in a hotel. I just can't imagine how Katrina victims have been able to hold it together, I am going NUTS and it's only been since Thursday night

Dee ~ glad you had a nice birthday

Maddie ~ inquiring minds want to know

Donna ~ no holiday for me either

Tikanas ~ I hope you like your tape. Which one did you order?

milkdud ~ when is your surgery?

Raeanne ~ I emailed you Saturday from this site, just wondered if you got it.

Jen ~ have a great time. Is this the first time you've left the girls?

Guess I'd better finish up here so I can grab a bite to eat and go watch the Olympics.

zig

Gotta run, have a good night everyone!

Tikanas

Jen - enjoy the trip - I'm sure the girls are in good hands.
Zig - I did get your email and responded.
Dee - glad the birthday celebrations were fun.
BJ - where are you??? You make me worry when you are MIA this long.
Milkdud - I'm sure that yesterday was a tough one for you - ((((HUGS))))
Maddie - aquarium story, NOW.
Joanne - i think I'm hooked on Curling - now if I could only figure out the scoring system.
donna - I will take chocolate over coconut anyday too.

This morning will be my first day with the trainer - it is going to more like a class, as I am bringing a friend with me and there may be another person joining us. This keeps the cost down too. So if I have any energy left, I will post.

Have a great day.

I hope you all had a nice President's Day. I worked so that I could take another day off when the weather is nicer. NH is slowly but surely returning to normal after the horrific wind storm last Friday! Some people were still out of electicity yesterday. It looks like a hurricane ripped through some places around here. Huge trees uprooted.

Zig I hope you finally have your power back on!!

Tikanas and Milk Dud, I hope your knee surgery(s) go well. You two can comiserate!

Tikanas, I had been getting alot of riding in but we had a huge rain storm last week and it's too icy right now. As soon as we get another storm though I will be back out. I have gotten lots of good riding in this winter. More than usual because it's been so warm.

Raeanne, good luck with the trainer. I am thinking of getting one when I finish the 10 week class I am in right now. I feel very positive about this program and I am getting alot of exercise that I don't usually get. It's always such an effort! Have fun.

Jen, have a great time away. I know it's hard to leave but allow yourself the time to relax and reconnect.

Maddie, you are such a tease - tell us the story!

Donna, lots of people have to work on President's day! I have never worked anywhere where we got it off until now but I have the option of saving it for a different time..........like summer and camping with the horses! I like that idea.

DeeMarie, sounds like your birthday was very nice.......three cakes though! Wow, what temptation.

My visit with my ex-client was really nice. I took her on a tour and showed her the lay of the land! She loves this area. We had a lovely lunch at a little Italian place that is tucked away in the woods here, a really treasure. We lingered over a bottle of very nice Chianti, came home and visited some more. She is involved with a new magazine, Women and Horses, a lifestyle type publication. It's very nice, four color glossy thing. She asked me to sell for her. It would be something I did part-time but I am really on the fence over it. I am flattered but I am not sure that I really want to take more time away from my animals. Still, I am thinking about it and will talk with her later.

Well, have to run and eat breakfast before I leave for work. BTW, I just tried a new (for me) cereal, Kashi Go Lean Crunch. Has anyone else tried it? It's really good, has lots of fiber and is really good for me! I like it alot.

I am on vacation this week and am trying to be as productive as physically possible. Yesterday I just concentrated on picking up and doing laundry. Some really bad Feng Shui going on around here! Today I have a dentist appt. and then some errands for DH. He loves when I have time off. I always hear "since you are not working today, can you....." Thats ok. Gives me an excuse not to be cleaning!

Tomorrow I am going to vist my brother with my sister and Mom. He just had knee surgery and is recouping, but slowly, so we are going to cheer him up. After my sister and I are going shopping for "mother of the groom" dresses. I am soooooooo not ready to be trying on gowns, but I'll take a look and see what is out there. I went with my future DIL, her mom, her sister and the maid of honor to a upscale dress shop on Saturday. Beautiful dresses, but I am not in a position to pay $1000.00 for a dress that chances are I will never put on again, unless I get invited to the Academy Awards or something.

Tikanis & Milk Dud, good luck with your surgery. I know it will go well!

Suzanne, do you still have snow? Ours is just about gone, but it is ccccold here! About 20 degrees this morning. It is the first time it has really felt like winter, so I am not complaining. That was a nice compliment to be offered the selling job. It would be great if it does not consume too much of your free time. Time is more valuable.

Raeanne, I am anxious to hear about your trainer and how that works out for you. You are doing great with your exercise!

QOD: What has been your favorite Olympic sport to watch so far?

Mine has been the ice dancing. The precision just amazes me. Curling has been interesting (Joanne I think of you every time it is on). It really has been gathering alot of interest around here. Even my son and his friends have been watching. It is such a different kind of sport. I am looking forward to the womens figure skating tonight. My remote finger will be tired between the Olympics and American Idol!

Got to run. I have 2 hours before my appointment and I want to try out a new DVD I got. It is a combination of Pilates and Yoga.

Hello to everyone that I didn't address! Have a wonderful day!

Love, Besh

Zig, we left the girls last January(05) when we went to Hawaii. They both came down with ear infections. I just pray that this time they will stay healthy while we are gone.

Thanks for all the well wishes for the trip. I am excited. Just wish I could have lost 10 more pounds, but oh well. I can plan that for summer!

Maddie, we are waiting....

Milkdud, good luck on your surgery.

Tikanas, Hope this second treatment makes you knee feel much better.

Raeanne, A personal trainer?? Sounds nice!

NH Suzanne, I worked yesterday to so I could trade for next week. I like working some holidays cause its so quiet.

Besh, Enjoy your vacation.

Donna, Good job on the walking. I started back on the treadmill Saturday. I always feel better aftwards.

QOD, figure skating.

Well, better run. MIA's we need to hear from you.

Jen

Jen, I like working some of those holidays for that very reason. Gives me a chance to catch up.

Maddie, are you getting my e:mail jokes? If not, please send me your addy.

QOD: Ice dancing!!! :-)

Amy, are you lurking? Please check in.

Joanne, I also think of you when I see curling. Lots of radio talk about curling, as most people here don't know anything about it!

Gotta run; just 2 days away from here and there are millions of things to do. Why do they bother letting you leave for vacation? lol!!

I am happy, happy, happy!!!! Spent the day in court and when I got back to the office I had a message from DH...drum roll please...WE HAVE ELECTRCITY!!!!! I have a few things here to wrap up then I am off to the store to replace all our frozen canned goods and dead plants. Thank goodness DS drained the pipes or we would have had a big mess.

Tikanas ~ I have not been disappointed in any of her tapes I'm not familiar with the ones you ordered. but would like to know how you like them

Milkdud ~ good luck with your surgery.

Raeanne ~ how was the workout? I didn't get your email. Will send you one from home later.

NHSuzanne ~ I hope it warms up some, everything here ice ice covered too and very dangerous.

Jen ~ You wouldn't be a "mom" if you didn't worry about your kids when you go away. Comes with the territory

Besh ~ I plan to click between American Idol and the Olympics too.

QOD ~ I love almost all of them but my favorites have been snowboarding, snowboard cross and freestyle skiing.

Later
zig

Besh, I love American Idol too. Don't know what it is about this stuff that has me glued to the TV in the family room when I have a bazillion things to do around the house! Enjoy your vacation and have fun shopping for that dress.

Milkdud, good luck with your surgery....heal fast!

Raeanne, I had a visit with my cousin Cindy on Saturday. When I close my eyes, she sounds exactly like you! Absolutely amazing!

Jen, hope you have a great time. Enjoy!

NHSuzanne, be careful on that ice! Driving on that stuff is very frightening to me.

OK, gotta get back to work.

I meant to get back here last night, but I stayed out longer with a girlfriend and her mom--

OK--the stories--I swear all of these are true, and that they happened bam, bam, bam during that same week, and no, I can not make this cr@p up--

All 3 happened when I was at the casino with 12-hour days, and I was so tired and out of it, I just didn't feel like posting too much, but I think you all will enjoy these. (At least, Raeanne, none involve a chicken and a stapler!!)

I dragged my sorry butt home one night; I needed to go to the grocery, dry-cleaners, etc... but just couldn't make it, so up the stairs I come--step, groan, step, groan--you know the routine--

Anyhoo, I came into to the living room, plugged in the tree, irritated the cats and started to poke through the mail, when I smelled something. Weird. Very weird. So, I irritated the cats some more, and it seemed the smell just got stronger. (Now, for all my sinus problems, I have a nose like a bloodhound (and if I don't lose some weight, I'm gonna *look* like one!), and this was a funny--acidic, metallic, smoky-- smell. My first thought was the tree, so I sniffed around it (butt up in the air--**real** attractive!), and nope--wasn't it. Did the same with the computer--wasn't it either. So, I called Rog. He thought I was crazy, as he didn't smell anything earlier. He suggested that I sniff some more, which I did, and while we were talking, I was standing by the table, and I saw something flash out of the corner of my eye, in the aquarium. Now, we have a 55 (I think) gallon tank with the big hood and special lights that cost a fortune and burnt out several months ago, blah, blah, blah. So, it's been dark all of this time. I thought it might be our tree lights, but ours don't blink, and then I thought it might be something from outside. As I turned to look again, I saw wisps of smoke coming from the top of the non-functioning aquarium lights. And then I saw flames. OMG! Everything that I learned in 4th grade went out the window, and I blew on the flames—BIG mistake! HUGE! Well, poof! The side of the hood had finger-sized flames coming from it, and I was about the make bricks! I still had Rog on the phone, and I was screeching that it was on fire, and WTF do I do, and I’m gonna call the FD, and where are the cats, and holy sh!t, can I throw pictures out the windows—just chaotic! He told me to unplug the light fixture from the surge protector in the base, and –( OK, ladies—lets talk about this—most men (the ones I have known anyway) seem to have a fascination with just how much electrical devices and cords can they get into one small area (My theory is that this has something to do with size, but that’s for another day)) when I got on my hands and knees to find the cord, they were 50k under there. Most were NOT plugged in, but holy cr@p, Batman! I have flames here—I don’t need to be no stinkin’ electrician NOW! So, I unplugged everything—including Rog, who I hung up on. I then called the FD, and told the lady that I was sure the fire was out, but could they send a Marshall just to look, and she said that they would have to send the whole shebang. 2 minutes later, a hook n ladder pulled in, along with a screaming ambulance, and out come the firemen, and my poor neighbors (who are now convinced that I have lost my mind, b/c I was just babbling on about fire, and fish and cats, and keys) as well. The firemen, bless them, checked out things, and gave me an all clear. So, I called Rog, who was p!ssed that I called the FD (he thought it was unnecessary), tried for 3 hours to get the cats from under the bed, and my neighbors still are giving me a wide berth---

However, I did sign up for a fire safety course, and I did get a new extinguisher that can be used on electrical fires as well. (Our old one couldn’t. And yes, I do keep a big one in the kitchen.)

So, that’s the story of the Great Aquarium Fire of ’05. The next night: the arrival of the Black-Widow spidey in my dining room.

Besh - enjoy your time off and I know you will find the perfect dress. I would have a hard time spending $1,000 on a dress too. I really think you can find something for much less.

Dee - poor Cindy - I hate my voice. I hardly ever have to identify myself on the phone, everyone knows my voice.

Zig - glad you are powered up once again - that was a long haul. It bothers me that we are so dependent on electricity - I was so upset at work that I couldn't get on the computer to finish my work.

Suzanne - it is snowing right now, it was suppose to be the high 30's today and never made it. Who knows what tomorrow will bring - crazy winter this year.

BJ & John are missing again - should we start a rumor?

QOD - I also love the snowboarders, but the couples ice dancing is unbelievable too.

Donna, How was day 3 of your walking program? You probably track or journal your meals w/ WW too?

Milkdud, Have you had a chance to look at that Prolotherapy site? I wish I knew how many treatments I'll ultimately need... could be 2 more, could be 6. Since it's not a bone on bone injury, I can probably get through this w/o surgery. You can bet I'll be saying my prayers and thinking of you on March 7th! How are you enjoying your freedom? Lol!

Jen, your girls will be just FINE while you and DH get some time away, but your fears are only natural. It's part of what makes you a great Mom :)

NH Suzanne, how wonderful that your ex client wants you to work for her! Even if you say no it is still wonderful to have that extra validation of your talent! I am not surprised!I don't blame you for switching the holiday for a "better" more horse friendly day off.

Hi Besh! How did you like your new tape? Since I just ordered some I am curious.The very thought of a 1K dress sends chills up my spine. Ha ha!

Zig, I am glad that you have power again! I will let you know how the Leslie Sansone dvd works out when it arrives. Thanks for recommending her tapes to me.

Maddie, that's a pretty funny story! I have an aquarium story too for another time. I'll bet you are the talk of the entire neighborhood!

Raeanne, I'll bet you WILL be sore tomorrow! No pain, no loss : ) I got your email and will try to write back in the morning.
Yes, we SHOULD start rumors about Bj and John... I'll start: "I saw them in Wisconsin and would you believe that they....." Let's all write a line in this rumor! (serves 'em right for being MIA!)I'd like to see how this story unfolds.

Another busy day! I LOVE my work and just about every day is a great one. I feel very blessed.

Have a good night, everyone.

Tikanas

oh, yeah--sining "On the Road Again",,,,,,

LOL!

Tikanas

Last I heard, they were headed for Exile Island!

Tikanas

(I'll bet their ears are burning!!)

zig

zig

All the snow was gone until this afternoon and now we have another dusting.

The Scotts Tournament of Hearts begins this Saturday here in my town of London, Ontario - this is the Canadian curling event that decides who goes to the World Championships. DH and I have box seats to see the entire tournament - 10 days (I'll be all curled by then).

Hi to everyone - so nice to see Zig by with us.

Take care and happy olympic watching!
Joanne

Tikanas

zig

Tikans - ROTFLMAO!!

wait.....phone is ringing...............

OK, they were spotted in a hotair balloon over Neverland. My source tells me there is a real estate agent with them!

Well, I saw in the Natioanl Enquirer that they were digging in Area 51, looking for Jimmy Hoffa....

zig

Dee...ILMAO

zig

By the way the twosome were spotted at the Gold Medal Game of Curling today in Italy where CANADA WON GOLD!!!!!!!
Joanne

After unsucessfully attempting to extinguish a cockpit fire with long- winded term papers, wet laundry and multiple bags of dry cat food, the two apparently jumped, and were last spotted on the Rogue River, clinging desperately for life to an er... uhmm... inflatable "party doll"...

Tikanas

CHEEKTOWAGA, NY - Sunday's championship round in the 2006 GEICO Classic will be an affair to remember.

Diet Forum friends, BJ and John will face each other in the semifinals after each won their round of 8 matches Friday night at AMF Thruway Lanes.

John, from nearby Manchester, NH, defeated 2005 PBA Player of the Year Patrick Allen (Tarrytown, N.Y.), four-games-to-one, to advance to his first championship round since the 2004 Uniroyal Tire Classic.

"It's been a tough two years for me. It's familiar but unfamiliar territory," said John, who owns six Tour titles but has not won since 2002. "This has been a breakthrough week for me so I'm just going to try and keep it going and I have a great focus now that BJ is by my side."

John, who used a Hammer Hog Wild, averaged 231.40 in his five games against BJ.

BJ, (Seattle, WA), a PBA Hall of Famer who owns 30 Tour titles, defeated Wes Malott (Austin, Texas), 4-0. BJ will be making her fourth championship round appearance of the season but is still looking for her first title.

The two will bowl for the $40,000 top prize and an exemption for the 2006-07 Denny's PBA Tour season on Sunday. The live ESPN televised finals will take place at 12:30 p.m. EST.

PBA Tour
2006 GEICO Classic
AMF Thruway Lanes
Cheektowaga, N.Y.
Sunday, Feb. 26

Tikanas

Zig was the winner so far, I was in Orlando week before last and was on the Pirates of the Carribean ride! Though I was with my Gf and not BJ, i think she was busy filling in for Goofy :)

I have been flat out since I got back from vacation, moms been sick and Ive been bowling all over the place and havent been online much. Its busy at work right now but will post later on or tomorow night to catch up!

thanks again :) you folks rock!

John