So It's Saturday -- September 11th

Hi gang --

Go away IVAN!!!! :confuse:


Ok, thanks to all the stress and strain of the last couple of weeks, I have inherited Nancy's shoulder and neck pain. I wake up with it in the morning and it goes away after I've been up a while. I know it's tension -- I feel like I'm carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders. Everyone I meet has the same circles under their eyes and the same worried look on their faces. I've seen things in the past week that I have never seen in all the 34 years I have lived in Florida and don't care to see again.

Anyway.......I know y'all are as sick as hearing about hurricanes as I am. So..........

Shirley -- that garlic lime chicken sounds terrific. Just printed off the recipe and checked out the website. For some reason your link didn't seem to want to work for the recipe so let's try it again for anybody that wants it:

http://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/sho...hreadid=163240

I'm headed to the gym for then coming home to bake cookies for the road. We're still planning on leaving Mon morning (EARLY EARLY EARLY ) I tried to get the guys to leave tomorrow but one of them is fishing a tournament this weekend and refuses to change his plans. Well I won't be doing any driving (probably) since we'll be towing a boat so I'll be the one in the back of the van going "are we there yet? are we there yet?" and saying "I TOLD you SO!!!" when I-95 turns into a parking lot from everybody fleeing Ivan.

Will spend the rest of the day last-minute packing and crossing items off my to-do list.

Hope you all have a wonderful, relaxing, stress-free weekend!!

HUGS --
Ann

Good morning Ann and everyone else!

Have been up for about an hour . . . got up with the pooch, but then didn't want to go back to bed because I have been waking up with back and side pain. It's strange . . . we flip our mattress often, but sometimes we get on a side that seems to bother us both and we keep flipping to no avail--then we'll go months and be fine. It's a pretty new mattress so it's not mattress fatigue.

Plan today is yoga, garlic lime chicken for breakfast with some cuke pieces--yummy!! Lunch will be a hot dog I think. Dinner will be grilled ribeyes with a salad and some veggie. May get in a walk and will also do a lot around the house. Flylady is leading a Super Fling Boogie right now and I am joining in to be ready for Frightfest !

Ann-- s to you ... you can rave and rant all you want about the hurricane ... it's justified for sure. I don't know how any of you Floridians are surviving day to day with the stress. Hope that Ivan will at least get delayed some more so that you can get out to drive to Texas with no problems. I am sure you'd far prefer that than sitting in the back saying I told you so. Have you tried the magic rub on your neck and shoulders? Although it's tension induced, it still could help a lot, especially before you get in a vehicle for umpteen hours. Regarding the garlic lime chicken, I forgot to type Recipe in front of the title. As a hostess, can you add that please?

Hope everyone has a great Saturday!

Shirley

Good Saturday Morning All...

What a day to remember... prayers go to those were effected by the events of 9/11.

Oh my Gosh Ann!!!!! I can only imagine the stress level you are feeling -- along with the rest of the Floridians - what a year!!! Mother Nature is out of control!!!! I remember a friend of ours from St. Thomas collected clothes to send when the island was devastated by hurricanes. I feel like I should be helping in some way... if you hear of any "funds" being collected to help those in need, please let me know. I would love to be able to contribute...

I haven't posted much as I've been increasing my activity level... so not much computer time. Of course, spending a good part of my work day on the computer plays a part in this too -- don't want to go near them when I get home. I am looking at increasing my weekly average from 7500 last week. This extra activity did help me loose the 1/2 lb. I gained the previous week.

Off to go biking today. DH & I are enjoying choosing new routes to bike each weekend. It's a great way to see our fine State of NJ. Today will be the D&R Canal... a much flatter route than last weekend... but we will be doing distance on rugged terrain.

I'll try to come back in today & catch up on this week's worth of posts.... hope all have a BEST weekend!

Sue

Morning!
Wow Sue, what a cool way to spend your weekends with your husband! Wonderful. I wonder if the Red Cross is a good group to donate to? They are usually right on the scene in times of disaster giving out meals, vouchers for new clothing if needed, they provide health care & feed emergency workers. And more.

Shirley, would a feather bed topper or even those egg carton foam things help? They are inexpensive. Dd just got one because she wasn't sleeping well in her dorm bed. Said it makes a big diff. Hope you get a better rest tonight! Oh, I can't remember, do you have a George Foreman? I'm not kidding, hot dogs on that thing are great!

Holy cow, Ann. I can't really even imagine what it must be like in Florida. What is up with those stooges wanting to wait an extra day???? MEN! Oh well, enjoy being in the back of the van with your stitching & books. They can duke it out with the traffic.
Oh, you will love Shirley's chicken. Delish!

There is a festival nearby that I want to attend today so I'm excited about that. Then I'll spend the evening painting trim, patching dings in the walls & one big hole that a doorknob made...sheesh. I have been eating ALOT lately & think it's probably due to my increased activity. I know that levels off after a few weeks & can't wait, frankly.

After seeing Shirley's meal plan, I believe we'll have hotdogs tonight too! Smothered in fresh tomatoes, chopped onion, celery salt, pickle relish, mustard & ketchup. Yummmmmmmmm! We also have 3 bags of salad in there we need to eat up so we'll have dogs & salad. & chips for those who can manage to eat a normal amount. That won't include me, I'm afraid.

Off to make the iced tea.

Hope you all have a great day!


xena

Just popping back in for a moment . . .

Ann--It occurred to me in the shower (where I do some of my best thinking ) that my post made it sound like you have been raving and ranting--let me clear that up right now. That couldn't be farther from the truth--you have maintained perfectly fine doing all of these hurricanes and tornadoes. What I meant to say was, if you want to rave and rant, you are well entitled to! s

Sue--I agree with Xena--your biking outings with your DH sound great! Exercise, time together, and like you said seeing your state--how cool! Yes, Red Cross is always a good one to contribute to.

Xena--I have actually been thinking about one of those feather toppers. They had them on the beds at the Ritz-Carlton when I was business travel and I loved it. Not sure of the cost of those, but the egg carton pad might be a good idea to try first. Thanks! I never thought of using the George Foreman for hot dogs--makes sense! I have a small George Foreman grill. Usually, I broil my hot dogs after slitting them down the middle (not all the way through of course) and then cutting every inch across the other direction (same deal--not all the way through). I like them a bit crispy, plus that allows nooks and crannies for toppings like chili or relish or whatever. Or, I cut them like that and grill them. Enjoy yours and hope you have a productive day--they can be so satisfying!

Okay, off to get something done . . .

Later BEST girls,
Shirley

Good afternoon all!
Well, Billy has had 2 walks today, not used bike much recently, not had the energy. Hoping doc will have some answers for me on Monday.
Bought a new pair of cords (pants) yesterday, and although I have bought a bigger size :cry: I feel as though although I am a little more toned than before, so the exercise is doing some good!
Foodwise, not eaten very much this week, no appetite.
Had a mashed banana on toast around 1pm so far, will have a sandwich later on this afternoon/evening whenever I feel hungry!
Stocked up on my pineapple juice, that's the drink of the moment, until I get fed up of it, strange that, as normally, I wouldn't touch the stuff with a bargepole,must be hormonal, after all, we crave when our hormones are raging early in pregnancy (that's my reasoning anyway!)
Well, off to do a bit of clothes shopping for DH. He is on a course next week, and neeeds new 'smart casual' clothes for the informal stuff.

Good morning BEST friends,

Well it's sunny and rather cool here this morning. I'm really enjoying these cool temps!

Ann - where are you heading to in Texas? Please have a safe drive and I totally understand the "are we almost there" routine in the back seat - that is me totally if I am riding! You should tell those boys, ahem men, to get with the program and let's go and get the heck out of dodge. I have had you on my mind so much lately - and can't believe how well you have handled the stress. Please be careful on your way to Texas.

Shirley - I used one of those egg carton foam things after I had back surgery and it was wonderful - so so so so comfortable. You should try one - I bet it would help you tons! Oh and I'm making your chicken recipe tonight - can't wait!

Xena - Hot dogs - yum - how I love hot dogs. Have you had those Hebrew National hot dogs? They are kinda expensive but man are they good! I usually grill hot dogs outside - I just love the charcoal taste. Good grief - it's only 10:30, I just had breakfast and all this talk of food is making me hungry!

Sue - Wow - I wish I had a bike - that sounds like so much fun to go biking with your DH. Of course, I don't have a DH but hey, I could find someone to go biking with - if only I had a bike. Congrats on losing that 1/2 lb.

Fran - Hope you start feeling better soon. Hopefully the dr will have some good news for you on Monday. I've got my fingers crossed.

Well, you won't believe it. I started weight watchers yesterday and this morning I am down 1 lb! I think I have figured out the difference in the eating. For example, I would eat 1% cottage cheese - well on weight watchers it is fat free cottage cheese - I would drink 1% milk - on weight watchers it is skim milk. Guess these little nuances make a big difference! Anyway, they have 2 plans now - the points (flex) plan and the core plan. I have chosen to do the core plan - don't have to count points - just have to eat the foods on the core list. If I eat foods that are not on the core list, then I have to count the points and I can have up to 35 points per week. So, if I need additional protein and want to have a whey protein drink say mid morning or mid afternoon, it is 2 points. I think I'm going to like this and will learn a healthier way of eating plus hopefully my clothes will start fitting again! I'm excited!

Well, I need to go run some errands - bank deposit, groceries, pay some bills (yuck!), etc. etc. etc. - does it ever end? Have a great Saturday and enjoy the sunshine (I hope it's shining where you are!)

s
Kay

Good noon BEST s (well... it's no longer morning, and it's not quite afternoon yet... so that's the best I could come up with!!!)

What a day to remember.... and, weather like, it's much the same as it was 3 years ago: nice and sunny, not too hot and not too cool... exactly the way I like my days to be.

It's only noon, and today's turning NOT OP: Breakfast was ok with my trusty cottage cheese/yogurt combination. However, lunch just was a slice of pepperonni pizza and supper will be hot dogs bought at the annual neighborhood party. However, I've already had a nice long walk with DH and have been cleaning up, a lot, so I'm not overly belly-aching about my eating habits these days: they're not the best, but they are not the worse either.

Last night, I went to sleep with arthritic pains in my left hand and my ankles and it's still there this morning, driving me nuts: it's a nagging type of pain that is just enough to make me uncomfortable!!!!

((((Ann)))) I have no idea how you floridians can go on with all this unleashing of Mother Nature We only had rain, lots of rain, to contend with on Thursday (We broke the 1942 record of rain for the region which, coincidentally was also on September 9th!!! We had 125 millimeters of rain accummulated within 12 hours... and this meant lots of flooding in some areas. Thankfully, we're living in an elevated area and were spared the worse.) and the whole area is whining about it!!! Sending tons of s your way and hoping that your neck and shoulder feel better soon.

((((Sue))))) Biking is such an awesome way to discover and appreciate your neighborhood and the area you live in. Especially at this time of the year, when the leaves are changing and, except in Florida, nature is at's best.

(((Kay)))) I believe it about the weight loss: last time I started Phase One of South Beach, I had lost 3 lbs by the third day!!! It really doesn't take much time for our bodies to react to the change in lifestyle.

good afternoon ladies, hope you are all doing well this weekend. Headed to the gym 2nd things this morning for a cardio workout. Did a treadmill program for 60 minutes. (why does 60 minutes not sound as long and grueling as an hour?)

Soon as my hair is a bit dry I'll head to the market to get the couple things I'd forgotten so I can make one of the meals on my menu plan for the week. May also try the chicken recipe Shirley posted since I have all the ingredients. Having been recently promoted (though not effective quite yet) I am doing my current job plus keeping things in order on my new job ... the pace is hectic and I am soooo looking forward to VACATION! (14 days but who's counting).

The rest of today will be spent bopxing up things I don't have an immediate need for to make moving as painless as possible in a month.

Some random Q's:

Hotdogs: oh yeah to the hebrew national ones. If it's not a true Farmer John Dodger Dog (yeah that's the way I say it too) then we'll have those or nathans. Good stuff.

sizes: don't fret about the size Fran ... if the UK is anything like the US, if you have 5 items in the same size, none will fit alike!

pedometer: weee I remembered to clip it on today. 4 miles and counting!

all right, off to the market and then to clean and pack boxes. Oh joy what a fun this shall be!

Have a BEST day!

BSQ

Good day!!! (it's just now noon!)

's ANN!!!! I know this is a stressful time for you and all of your state!!! Y'all are in our prayers!!! You get yourself to TEXAS!!! Wish we could get together while you are in Tx!!! I live in NORTH TEXAS....about an hour from Dallas.

Hope everyone is having a BEST day! Sounds like HOTDOGS are suppose to be on the menu for dinner tonight......y'all enjoy, I will be doing a salad and grilled chicken. I have been doing SBD since May and on Tuesday evening, went to CURVES CHALLENGE, on Wednesday, I started PHASE 1 of CURVES diet. It is SO SIMILAR to SBD. I am hoping by changing things up and having a "live" challenge I can continue to do well. I think on SBD I had started not doing my snacks like I should--due to time-- and on Curves Ph.1, the meals are essential (I already knew that, it is just hard to practice!) I am doing my 6 meals---(3 are truly snacks). I have been fuller the last few days than I have been in a long time! I hope I'm not gaining!!! I will see Tuesday! I have made OP choices the whole time, so maybe not!!! Lotsa protein and lil' carbs (less than 20). I have made it to Curves to workout 4 times this week, and walked every day! My stepometer is on and tally= 12,000 avg. for the week!!!

Tuesday, I start my new job at the hospital! I have to work days for orientation time. They told me they have a CARDIO room and it is free and encouraged to be used!!! I will probably go there after work, for a few mins. I plan to go to CURVES in the evenings before work. I plan to walk the corriders at break time so that will be excercise! WORK ALONE MAY BE!!! LOL! I will be working 7pm-7am----for now, only 2 days/week or so. I may increase my hours to help pay off medical expenses before Christmas rush starts!!!

I subbed 2 days this week. That went well. One day was in the twins kindergarten room!!! They having me there! I think it went well!!! I am going to sub in there again in a few weeks.

I took my oldest DD to the counselor Wednesday, for her second appt. for Anxiety attacks. She opened up alot and was actually looking forward to going back!!! I sure hope it makes differences for her!!!


Today will be OP in all areas. I plan to go for a walk this evening with the kids, while they ride their bikes. Meals are all prepared and waiting in baggies! Water bottles are all filled...with lemon splash added! I have already gotten 48 oz. in. I took my ME time this morning, by sleeping in until 10:20!!!

Well, I have to clean this house up so I can enjoy the week-end! I'll check back in tomorrow!

Hugs and OPness to all!!!
Ronda