Been away too long and have not caught up on reading. Acadia was wonderful although I missed Sweet Pea terribly. Hope all is well.

I will try to come back and post more later today.

Not really happy to be back at work, but happy that my next vacation comes next month. hahahahaha

George, it was great to see you again. Please feel free to stop by anytime.

I tried to follow my body signs last week, as I still have hope that intitutive eating is for me. In fact, I made a decision to eat something that I really wanted (nothing is restricted) but I suspected might make me feel ill. It was amazing how unappealing that cake looked the next day. Did not feel the need to eat any more of it. Ohhh, and I'm no longer getting on the scale except when my doctor demands it. I just don't care anymore about the word "diet"...it takes away freedom and keeps me upset about when and what I eat instead of just listening to my body. When I'm hungry (truly hungry), I eat something. Don't quite get the "when-I'm-full" section of this, but it will come to me. Also, I can now identify when I'm going to food for emotional support or boredom; I dont always resist at this point, but I can identify it! LOL!!!

Hope everyone has a great week.
Make today count!
Dee

Just checking in to say before I go off to study more. Tikanis, is it always like this? I've studyed pretty much continously since Friday afternoon, and have worn myself out. I want to keep my GPA which is why I'm doing this, so I can't complain really, but school is fierce.

Dee, I just looked up the place you mentioned in a prior post, and you're about 30 minutes up from Myrtle Beach? I have a good friend that has a condo there, and she's always asking me to go (I did last Labor Day), so wouldn't it be cool if I could work out a visit when you're in NC?

OK, Georgeypooh--come back, you hunk you! :)

Thinga are OK here, just praying for August to get here, and classes to be over. Send good vibes my way, please. This is a h3ll week, becasue I have another test on Friday, if tomorrow doesn't kill me. :) (That's OK--maybe George can revive me!)

Hope all is well!

Hugs,

Maddie

This is going to be a big week for me. I have to have 4 and maybe 6 teeth pulled. They are doiing it at Interface because of the meds I'm on need monitoring. Wonder if having to eat soft foods for awhile will help get rid of a pound or two.

I just came from the cancer clinic where I was looking for info. I decided that I want to make them some chemo caps and although there are many patterns on the internet and I did ask for help at the Kitchen Table, someone suggested that I go and see what they had and get some suggestions.

All had been knit on 2 needles and had a seam up the back. I undersood from the Kitchen Table that soft yarn and no seams was more comfortable but it needed to be something that would machine wash and be all right in the dryer. I'm glad I went. Hopefully by the time cold weather arrives, I can have a quantity made.

I don't know if they give them away or charge a small amount. I would hope they wouldn't be expensive, anyway.

When are you having your teeth pulled? Oweee. I hope you have a pain-free and quick procedure and healing. We will all be thinking about you and sending well wishes your way.

Thanks for the good thoughts.

Holding good thoughts for Ivamae that your dental problems will be over soon. The chemo caps are a wonderful and thoughtful gesture.

My calendar is full until 5pm here, so I need to be brief.

Shout-outs to everyone! We need to hear from you, so please check in.

Later..........

Ivamae, having had a Mom who had to undergo brain surgery followed by chem, I cannot tell you how much those chem-caps will be appreciated! YOU are a sweetheart! Here's hoping that all goes smoothly with your dental procedure! When are you scheduled?

Maddie, Yes, school is difficult, but SO worth it! How much time off do you get in August? When do you start clinicals?
Hang in there.... (did the GPA police tell you that your grades HAD to be PERFECT??? I'm just sayin....)

Hi Jan, how are you?

Welcome home Dee! Not easy going back to work, is it? : (
Lucky you always have another vacation right around the corner!

Tikanis

How is everyone? I'm getting ready for a dental appointment myself, hopefully just a checkup. I think I've mentioned this before but this particular dentist has a licensed hand massage person, who gives the most wonderful massage while your teeth are cleaned. I can hardly wait!

Had a mammogram on Monday, waiting on the results. I'm a little anxious because I am very ashamed to admit that I haven't had one since 2006. I will never let that happen again. I know better, but that was when my life was filled with "stuff" and excuses, and I ignored my health.

Remember when I mentioned doing Jillian Michael's "The Shred?" I injured my left shoulder over 10 years ago and every so often it acts up. It has been acting up since I did The Shred, so no more! I think I'll just stick to walking and hula hoops!

Ivamae, again good luck tomorrow!

Ivamae - believe me you are special! I will send positive thoughts that tomorrow goes smoothly for you.

Wodka - I am going to suggest that for my dentist LOL.

Dee- You will need another vacation with your schedule.

Maddie - I am very proud of all your accomplishments. Keep up the good work, but don't be too hard on yourself.

Better get back to work - having some frustrating printer problems and needed a little diversion - thanks girls & George.

I wish you girls could ALL have a relaxing retreat at my house - you all are certainly welcome any time!

Stay healthy & happy. Look forward...not back. You cannot change the past, but you can have an incredible impact on the future.

Do something for someone you don't know, like Ivamae is doing. It's really amazing what can get done when no cares about getting the credit for it.

Besh, Marci, Amy... -- friends are here, waiting for you.

*Smiles*, my lovelies, -George

It dismays to read that Maddie is your 'favorite' in light of the many private conversations we have had over wine and sunsets.

Be that as it may, I am willing to accept the competition and advise all the 'lovies' here to take your advice....look forward and not back.

I heard this morning that George Steinbrenner's father told him to give generously when no one was looking. He told George that if more than one person knew about it, it didn't count! hmmmmm...... sound advice from someone who was never in the news but brought up a son who had a tremendous impact on an entire industry (and some lucky souls who were the recipients of that generosity).

Make today count, George.
Fondly,
Dee

I guess if George is calling my name I should come out of hiding.

Raeanne, awesome news about your DD that you posted on FB. What a cool thing for her to have the opportunity to do.

Ivamae, I love that you are so giving of your time. We can all learn a lesson from you.

Wodka, I just had my mammo this morning. I also get stressed out about the results. I have never had one that was a problem, but for some reason, I always worry about that test more than others. The hand massage sounds lovely!

Hi Dee. Keep up the good work with the intuative eating. I don't listen to my body signals enough. I hope it works well for you.

Suzanne, welcome back. Glad that you had a nice trip.

Went to WW last night. Down 2.5. Only about 2000 more to go!

I have to go to another wake tonight. A former co-workers husband passed away after a very brief illness. So, so sad.

Maddie, keep up the good work. I am proud of you for going back to school!

Hi Tikanis! BJ, come out and play. How are you doing?

Have a good day!

oxBesh

As I drove along the beach today for my dental appointment, it was such an eerie scene to see the workers in their hazmat suits picking up the tar balls and oil-related debris. Like a scene out of a science fiction movie.

The hand massage was delightful. They have hired a second technician because everyone wants one with their teeth cleaning. I love this place! It beats gas any day!

Have a good night!

QOD: What's up for the weekend?

DH and I have some errands to run tonight.

Tomorrow morning we go shopping for a new dishwasher and over.

Tomorrow afternoon, we have been invited to a pre-cruise BBQ at our friend's home. There are 4 couples going on the September cruise, and 2 of those couples have never met. We like to get everyone together to start the partying early. I'm bringing along a big veggie salad.

Sunday, I hope to convince DH to finish as least 2 projects which are so close, yet so far. Maybe we'll ask DSD and DSSIL over for a BBQ.

OK, that's my weekend, sooooooooooo what say you?

Make today count!
[[[[[[[HUGS to those in need]]]]]]]]]
Dee

I did manage to fill up on a lot of milk shakes with eggs and banana added along with the ice cream and milk. At night my daughter warmed up some mushroom soup and added 1/3 cup of peas and blended it in the blender. I can't get over how good it was.

Also more good news. I weighed on Wednesday and lost another pound so now I am down a total of 42 pounds and sitting on 150. I would like to lose another 5 for wiggle room and try to keep between 145 and 150.

Hope everyone has a great day, keeps healthy ,wealthy and wise. I wouldn't know about the wealthy part and maybe not even the wise, but it sounds good.

As ever
ivamae

Ivamae, I can't believe you are already posting after yesterday's dental work. So glad you made it through so well. Your banana milkshake sounds delicious, the mushroom soup and peas, not so much. Just teasing.

Also, congrats on your weight loss. You may have noticed I haven't been posting my weight. I'm still walking and trying to eat as healthy as I can, but haven't had the nerve to weigh. We have company coming for the weekend, which means eating out and probably having wine, so might wait a few more days before I find the scale.

I don't know about y'all, but this heat has been ridiculous. Yesterday's heat index was 116 degrees!

Have a good weekend. Stay cool!

Ivamae, congrats on your loss and for getting through dental surgery so well! You must feel good about having that behind you.

Jan, don't stay away so long. I miss you. Seems everyone is disappearing these days to other social networks.

Dee you have a fun weekend!

Besh you have had your share of sadness lately. We have to turn that sadness into joy some how! I am glad you are posting here again. I've missed you.

Heat,heat, heat, here too. It's awful. This is longest heat wave I can remember. The good news is that I get a break from mowing! LOL This heat is tough on Sweet Pea but she is staying in front of her fan. I wish this heat would end.

This morning we put up 300 bales of hay. That's the first half. They came early so that we weren't doing it in the heat of the day. It always feels good to have hay in the barn.

Because of the heat, humidity and BUGS I have not been riding. Even at 4:30am the deer flies are out full force. It just makes riding not fun for Casey or me.

There has been so much wildlife activity here right now. We have a new batch of three foxes, a doe and her little fawn, a slew of baby woodchucks, turkey hens with all their little babies, a new brood of Phoebes and it looks like the Bluebirds are going to start a new family. I love this. This morning I saw the tallest coyote that I have ever seen. It looked like an eastern Timber wolf. We all saw him cross the pasture and keep going. He was a big one. I am glad he kept going.

I must finish my chores before it gets too hot to do anything constructive!

Have a good weekend.

Suzanne - We have 1 big gray fox that must have kits to feed, as he is around a lot in the daylight - pretty brazen too. My neighbor is concerned I hope he doesn't do anything stupid to it - I tried to explain that it needed to feed it's babies. We also have 2 bucks (that dine on my hosta) and 1 turkey and her 1 baby - that we have watched daily for the last 6 weeks. We have a ton of beautiful birds this year too, that I am really enjoying. Aren't those woodchucks adorable? We have the fattest little guy that runs down my driveway every morning.

Ivamae - glad everything went well. Healthy is the most important one out the 3 so you are ahead of most LOL.

Wodka - 116 degrees - I would just die. I am crying about the temps being in the 90's. I need to move further north.

Dee - hope you enjoy the couple that will be joining in on the cruise. September will be here before you know it. I can't believe that July is more than 1/2 way over.

Tikanis - any kayaking in your future?

QOD - We have a fancy schmancy gala to attend tonight and then tomorrow a 60th birthday party. I am having company on Monday, so that means Sunday will be cleaning day for me.

Check-in when you get a chance.