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Morning ladies, I'm going to wash the floor in DH's office area....hold on to your hats, Eva's doing housework. I've already been outside and started digging out one of the flower beds. All of the beds are filled with roots from the eucalyptus tree or the ruse lancia and I think both of them poison the soil. I need to eliminate the roots and recharge the soil. I was very bad last week and bought asparagus (I think I posted this already), dahlias, and gladiolas. The dahlias are planted but I have to do the asparagus and glads. The glads are being planted in a container that will be set into one of the raised beds so that is what I'm working on now. I want things that can grow and go a little wild. I've been drinking my Protein in the morning. I made a chocolate cherry smoothie with vanilla yogurt (1%) a banana, frozen fruit, and my Protein powder. I made chocolate a couple of days ago and today I made blueberry. It makes enough for two days. They have really been holding the hunger back well, but I'm wondering about the gas. Lots of bubbles from the blender. Anyway, it's part of my resolution to get some more of this weight off. I've been doing very well the last few days. Cutting back on the white flour carbs is helping. Okay, back to the floors....yuck. Have a great day ladies. Eva

Sounds good Charlene, Thanks!

Happy Birthday Laura Hope you are having a wonderful day and DH and Nels are doing everything for you today! Eva

Morning ladies, Kristi, sounds like things are going well, but take care with the exercise until your stuff heals. You really don't want to be pulling stitches. Have fun with your friend and the chick flicks. Linda, good deals with the shopping. Glad you took some time to get a few things for you!! About the virus thing...not sure what that was because I think I had a touch too and yesterday DH was down all day. Weird because it wasn't a cold or flu and no one was throwing up, just general malaise. DH seems to be better today. Nasty wind yesterday but it's cloudy today and no rain. The sun does break through but it isn't warm. Oh well. I hope we get a little rain out of it at least. The wife of someone that works with my DH wrote a SciFi book and I stayed up until 2am reading last night. I was writing and reading most of the day and night yesterday. I shouldn't stay up that late because it messes up my sleep. Oh well, I finished the book. Apples, so were DH and Tanker twitching and barking in the REM state last night? LOL. Glad you made it back from FIL's. That blowing dust is wicked. I need to attend to a few things....later, EVa

Great, you are such a multi-talented person. I may clean but I would never do taxes, yuck, it involves math and numbers yuck. Thanks for the info on the pond....never had that happen before. Oh, yeah, it doesn't freeze here like that either.....hahaha. Charlene, glad you got some pills, hope they help. Julie, nice to hear from you. Glad you had an enjoyable evening with your family. Sounds much nicer than dealing with church politics. Ladies, thanks for being nice to me too....I appreciate it. Got the kitty litter, the root-be-gone, and salad stuff purchased. Had a nice lunch with my friend at Cheesecake Factory and had a very good salad. Yes, I had cheesecake, split a piece with my friend, her choice. White chocolate macadamia nut. It was pretty good. I also bought flower bulbs. We should plant them in October, but there weren't any bulbs to be found in October, but they're out now, so I bought some dahlias, gladiolas, and asparagus. I also bought mint, thyme, basil, and a Iciban eggplant. I can't help myself. Later. Eva

Here's a little tidbit of information regarding dates. Dates are high in calories and carbs but they have great nutritional value. 2 dates are about 120 calories. I used dates to sweeten my oatmeal and do not need to add additional sweetener. This is from iloveindia.com Nutritional Value of Dates Given below is the amount of nutrients in 100 gm of dates: Sodium - 2 mg Total Carbohydrates - 75 gm Dietary Fiber - 8 gm Sugars - 63 gm Protein - 2 gm Vitamin - A 10 IU Vitamin C - 0.4 mg Vitamin E - 0.05 mg Vitamin K - 2.7 mcg Thiamin - 0.052 mg Riboflavin - 0.066 mg Niacin - 1.274 mg Vitamin B6 - 0.165 mg Vitamin B12 - 0 mcg Folate - 19 mcg Pantothenic Acid - 0.589 mcg Calcium - 39 mg Iron - 1.02 mg Magnesium - 43 mg Phosphorus - 62 mg Potassium - 656 mg Sodium - 2 mg Zinc - 0.29 mg Copper - 0.206 mg Manganese - 0.262 mg Selenium - 3 mcg Total Fat - 0.39 mg Saturated Fat - 0.032 mg Monounsaturated Fat - 0.036 mg Polyunsaturated Fat - 0.019 mg

Ended up working on my pond...it's been slimed....green algae growing everywhere. It's a small raised pond (I'll try and put a picture on FB) horse trough type tank and I have 5 large goldfish and 1 baby (don't know where that came from ). The pond is usually at equilibrium...it stays pretty clear and I just use a little pump to recirculate Water. I have water lilies, cattails and something else in there and it usually works just fine. Well I think the freeze and cold weather have wrecked havoc on it so I spend about 30 minutes cutting the cattails out of there and skimming slime. Cleaned the pump filter, refilled the pond and I'll see where it goes. I bet that filter will be plugged again in a couple of days. Hope it finds it's happy space again. It's a nice water feature in the desert. See this is how I am...I start on one thing then get distracted and go and do something else. Ugggg Thanks Joyce, sorry we didn't get to spend time with you too! Eva

Charlene, I know it's tough...it's very hard, but you just have to wrap you head around the eating stuff. I'm not there yet, but it's starting to happen. Get rid of the white flour stuff first....get rid of all the white flour stuff...crackers, Pasta, Cereal, breads, rolls, whatever. Neither you nor your husband need them. People can live and live well without white flour. Look at the Zone diet by Barry Sears and the glycemic index stuff. Also a book I read that was interesting was "Protein Power" by Michael R and Mary Dan Eades. They are interesting. They may also help you get your head around the food thing. If you don't want to buy them, check them out from the library. The Zone book is in paperback and pretty cheap. I'm sorry you are sick...sounds like a sinus infection. You might need antibiotics...poor baby. Laura, my housekeeper quit. She said she had medical issues and I believe her but I can't afford her now anyway even if she can work again. Boohoo. I'm so proud of you! I hope the guy you are trying to help takes you seriously. I'm also glad you took the time with him and maybe that will be what he needs. I've found the same thing with the doctors. They say essentially, "you're fat, lose weight" but don't give you any tools for that. I really like my doctor but he doesn't do anything as far as referral to a nutritionist or anything else dealing with weight loss. Of course my insurance doesn't pay for any weight loss things either. Great, I have "The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo" on my Kindle but haven't finished reading it yet. Did you read it already? Does DD have her doctor's appointment today or was that yesterday? I would think they'd leave that baby cooking for as long as possible. I have a 100 errands to run today and am meeting one of friends for lunch. We are going to the Cheesecake Factory because it was her birthday and that's where she wants to go. I'm sure they have salads or something I can eat. I have my next writing assignment close to done. It's a difficult assignment because we are fictionalizing our own experiences....something disturbing or something you are afraid of or something that made you really happy (what fun is that?). Linda, thanks for the book again....it's helping a lot with this assignment. Okay, off to get these chores done. Eva

Quiet on the thread tonight....when it's finally up and running. Working on another story for my writing class. This one is a little tougher but worth writing. BBL

Glad to see the thread is back up and running. Hope it stays that way. Phyl, hope you feel better soon. Linda, I don't think you are weird. I think you, like Janet, have a plan and stick to it. I admire you for your ability and willingness to do so. You are engaged with your weight loss and it's something I am struggling with. I am really enjoying reading your posts. Kristi, congrats on the 20 lbs...it feels so good doesn't it? Apples, we have clouds today....and humidity...feel like home? Melissa....I think you have to engage your brain when you eat and can't stop. I tend to turn mine off and that's why I keep shoveling things in....and the wrong things....engage the brain and think about the food you put in your mouth. I'm starting to take what Janet says about it's your diet....not being on a diet....it's your diet....and everything you eat is your diet so you can choose to eat those high calorie high fat things or make better choices. I have the same problem and think some of that philosophy is starting to sink in. Janet is a smart woman. You are stronger than your urges....you are. I'm studying and I really need to clean the house but it will wait until after class today. I can't believe how dirty the place is....I miss my house keeper. Anyway back to Spanish....this studying takes work. Later ladies Eva

Janet, I'm sorry you aren't feeling so well. Maybe you have a touch of the flu....not really sick, just run down a bit. We've kept you pretty busy the last few weeks. Thanks for the treats reminder. Mine yesterday was dates....they were very good, ate 3 of them. These are the ones I bought at the street fair in your area. I walked 6 laps on the track yesterday....1.5 miles and have been fighting with my back all night....again. What a pain in the a$$, foot, leg...literally. I had this problem last week, but I need to keep it up. I feel so much better when I'm moving that much. I handed in another assignment for writing yesterday, now I need to concentrate on Spanish. Haven't spent as much time on it as I need to. I'm distracted. Want to get back in the car and drive somewhere. Sandy, sorry I missed your birthday....Glad you had a happy day! Not much else going on here today....Home Depot trip with DH this evening. We need to replace the tub in the trailer in Mescal....so we are going to look at them. Off to class soon. Have a great day. Eva

Morning.....what a beautiful day. My thermometer says it's 80 degrees out. My male tortoise is up and walking around so I filled his Water dish and left him some food. Janet, yeah, aren't we the party girls....falling asleep in front of the TV. I am still a little tired and I went to bed early last night. I'm tempted to skip class today, but I won't. It is so beautiful out I want to work on my garden. I guess I'll walk on the track today instead. It's boring, but a really nice surface to walk on. I have to go check facebook since I got so many tags. Have a good one. Eva

Evening ladies, We are back, but a little burned out. Too much yack yack yacking for the last three days, but we had a great time. Someone took pictures, and I think I did too, but not sure if they will get posted on FB or not. We went to a street fair on Saturday and there was some nice stuff, then to Palm Springs and then to Phyl & her DH who cooked us a wonderful dinner. This morning we sat around and talked, then we had to drive back. Yes, it was very nice visiting and I guess I'm so brain dead, that's about all I can say. I do have some homework that I've neglected. So have a great night, I need to read some. Eva

I just lost my post....had multi-quote and everything going. DANG!! Meredith, glad you finally went to see your friend play, now it's over and you won't have to do that for a while. I so understand about needing "you" time. You do need to not let people push you into doing things you don't want to do. It's almost harder than just doing whatever they want, but it does allow you to call the shots. On the other hand, sometimes you have to do those things to maintain friendships and that is just as important. The balance between the two is the tricky thing. I learned to stop doing things I don't want to do a long time ago and I don't unless it's a matter of keeping a relationship going. If it gets to the point where that relationship is too co-dependent, I let it go. Can't do that anymore. I wish you balance....I was crazy going to school and working and traveling, and being social at your age too so I do understand. Laura, I don't think I weighed 137 either....well maybe in Jr. High. I was 120 in 6th grade. I can't believe you didn't go get that barium swallow while you were waiting....what's wrong with you....$250 at Wal-Mart, gee what you need shampoo and paper towels and cat litter....I can't imagine spending that much....LOL (you do know I'm being sarcastic right?) Cheri, maybe I could try your inversion table when we visit? Had a bad night last night and haven't made the leap to purchase one yet. Don't want to buy another piece of equipment and have it taking space and not using it. I don't have a basement, which of course is an excuse. Thanks for all your posts of encouragement and information...appreciate it. Will post more later...have to go pick up my car...it's been at the shop for a couple of days. Eva

Morning ladies, Sorry I've been absent and not reading. No excuse except I get wrapped up in what I'm doing and don't come look at the thread. Also, a couple of times I haven't been able to get on the thread..... I did just read Laura's post and she has my complete support. I get her humor and really appreciate it...keep posting those sarcastic, ironic posts. Makes my day. Julie, sorry about the fall. The pain meds have many side effects that aren't always obvious. Take care and I'm wishing you the best in your recovery. Arlene, so sorry you had such a stick. It's tricky sometimes and if the blockage doesn't clear after the PB I think the sliming occurs, then you fill up your pouch with slime and then that has to clear. Take care of yourself. Sorry to hear about your Mom too. I'm glad she is staying with the nursing care a little longer. Janet, kick some butt. I like that too. Great, good for you. You need to stick up for yourself and your family. The nursery decorating sounds like fun...and I'm not a baby person, but I think all that stuff is so cute. I know I've missed people, sorry, but I do have to go study. I have a test today and I have to walk to class because my car is in the shop. Apples will be picking me up afterwards and then we'll do the gem show. As far as the Thelma and Louise thing, we will be making as many potty stops as necessary since depends are not part of the equation. And, I will not be driving off the rim of the Grand Canyon for ANY reason. Also the trip will be north and west from here. Have to go study those gender things..... el libro, la mesa, un hombre, una mujer. Later, Eva

Morning...glad to see you all. This is a fly by, have a date with Apples and her DH. We are site seeing today. It's over 30 already this morning. Uncovered some of my plants....all the euphorbias are mush and so are a couple of the other plants. Oh well.....plants come and plants go. Okay, I'm off to San Xavier Mission, the Titan Missile Museaum, and Tubac. Have a great day. Eva

Cheri, Hugs to you and your accident. Glad the drug has been helping and you get a day or two to recover. Interesting about the dumping syndrome with gastric bands because I didn't expect that because we do have all our parts. It is something to think about. Great, I'm so sorry you had an accident too. You do get shook up don't you, but don't beat your self up about it...remember it's an accident....you didn't do it on purpose. I hope you are okay...take it easy the next couple of days. Alright ladies....no one else is allowed to have an accident. Got that? For you snow bound people, it may be cold here, but at least the sun is shining and we don't have any snow. I just don't want to live in a place where I have to shovel my way out to go to work. As for our weather, I've lived in AZ for 32 years and have never experienced a day that stayed this cold all day. It's supposed to be in the teens tonight. Phyl, post your bracelet picture on facebook. That was very strong of you not going to the pot luck. Not sure if I am that strong sometime. Enjoy the beading. Laura, sorry you aren't feeling well, but with as much as you do and working at the clinic, you may be a little vulnerable to what ever bug is out there. Take care of yourself. Sure understand how your DH feels....I never was interested in athletics either. Janet, I take it your kids left? Charlene, sorry about the blackouts....weird, do you have them during high heat times too? Your soup sounds good, may have to put something together like that for dinner tonight. Linda, I can't believe you went to work, but you are dedicated. Drive safely please. Sandy, I was looking at walking/running paths in the Chicago area and saw that Grant Park has a 3.88 mile path....so if there isn't an official 5K, I think we can do our own. I would be very willing to walk it....I just don't run, never have. LauraK, great decision....stay home, be safe and warm. Eva

Melissa, the racquet balls bounce a lot further than tennis balls and they are very fast if you hit them hard. Many many many years ago, I played racquet ball. I was fairly good at it too, but that was many many many years ago. So Apples is going to experience frigid temps in AZ. It is supposed to be below freezing the next three nights and it doesn't warm up too quickly. I'm wrapped up in writing so I'm going to get back to it. Stay warm everyone!

You know, that's a great idea Linda.....5K is only 3.11 miles, not that far. I won't run either, but I can walk and I'd participate in a 5K (walking) too. It's a great goal to work toward. Arlene are you up for it? Even if there isn't an event in the area that weekend, maybe we can make our own event. Is there someplace we can do a 5K walk/run? Those of you that don't walk or run can be the cheering section and have balloon etc. waiting for us at the end.

It didn't freeze here last night and I wrapped my plants up like Christmas presents...oh well, I'm not going to take the covers off until I'm sure it's not going to freeze. They'll be okay in their little sheet igloos for a couple of days. Laura, I do hope your parents go with you to Atlantis. That would be nice for all of you. Yep, it's good you can get dog time with the neighbors dog. They are messy, loving, fun, and a pain, but it will only frustrate you if you aren't ready to commit the time and the mess (hair, drool, the stuff that comes out the other end, vet bills, etc.) For those of you that wish you were here, come on over. I do have and extra bed and so does Apples. Either way, hopefully we'll see you in Chicago. Linda, did you say you were traveling by train to Chicago? That would be really nice. I want to do a train trip...well someday. Have Spanish today....I studied, but not enough....I really have the writing bug instead. Plan on walking after school today....found a nice path across the college property then onto the walking path at Greasewood. This will add variety to my walk because I get bored walking in my neighborhood. Need to study. Eva

Meredith, glad you were able to stock up and get tucked in before the snow hits. So did you send off your resumes? You should you know. Changing jobs is exciting and scary but really worth the experience. Even if you don't like it, you can always fall back on what you are doing now but you have to try it. Great, welcome back! Glad the shower went so well. I remember that weather in Colorado. Sun and warm in the morning and snow in the afternoon. Sort of like here today. No snow of course. So going to Castle Rock is worth the time to shop? I guess it was an outlet store...LOL. At least you got to go before the snow. I hate that road in the snow and ice. Charlene, is your thumb feeling better yet. Sorry about the needle but hopefully it helps. So you crochet seed pearls? That must be interesting. Your mother's story is sad, but at least she did find someone to love. My cat is picking on the dog again. The dog is so nice and the cat is so mean. I need to finish my fish. Hope everyone has a great evening. Eva

I think I heard thunder. I got back from grocery shopping about 30 minutes ago and the sun was shining. Now it's cold and windy and ....is that thunder? Guess this is part of the storm you guys are going to get. It's supposed to be freezing again this week, so out come the plant covers. Brrrrr....at least I don't have 20 inches of snow to contend with. Nothing too exciting today...just working on homework and staying out of the food. Maybe I'll make some hot tea. That usually helps. Laura, hope you a Nels are feeling better. Joyce, sorry we missed you but I understand how it goes being busy. The days just fly by. Did you enjoy the spa? I haven't taken Apples to Tubac yet, but it's on the agenda. Okay back to reading and writing. Eva

No worries about the multiple posts Linda....I couldn't get on first thing this morning either. It is a weird site now. Melissa, glad you are having fun with your son. Tennis is really good for movement and short sprints. It's fun exercise. Charlene, remind me to post those cards...probably on FB since posting here has been so difficult. I still have to make them. It's suppose to cool down here tomorrow too. Yuck. Just a stop by to say hi....later. Eva

Good morning, Apples, your post is blank....??? Take everything you said back? LOL. Just got back from my walk. DH dropped me off at the community college and I walked back (a little over 2 miles) and it is mostly up hill. Of course almost everything is downhill from where I live. I wanted to try it when I didn't have class and books, etc. I feel good now that it's done. I'm going to walk to and from class one day this week and see how that goes. Cheri, it certainly does sound like you are excited. It should be fun. I've always wanted to spend a little time in Chicago. I've spend a few days in the Joliett (sp?) area where my friend's mom has a house but never more than a few hours in Chicago. Sounds like fun and maybe a extended road trip for me. Okay, stamping ladies...Linda and Apples....since both of you have mentioned wanting to stamp again and I certainly want to do that again, why don't we plan on a card exchange. This is how it worked with the group of women I stamp with here (when I'm doing it), we have a planned card exchange day. We make a card for each participant, so I think there were 10 of us at one time and I would make 10 identical cards and everyone else would do the same. Then we give each other our cards. It was always fun to see what we came up with. Some of the women were really talented. So we could agree on a date (we need that so we don't procrastinate) then mail them to each other....or use the Chicago trip as the date to start. What do you think? I need to study Spanish....sort of blew it off this weekend so far. I'm never going to learn it if I done apply myself. Later Eva

Linda, Thanks so much for posting that article. Very interesting and I bookmarked the website. Congrats on the weight loss, you have and are a very determined woman and should be very proud of yourself. Julie, once again, sorry you are feeling so badly. I wish you could resolve your issues. How's your DH? What was the result of his shoulder stuff? How is DD doing with her pregnancy? Cheri, you know when I'm in the carb zone, I don't feel so well either, not so much bloating (well maybe a little) but other things aren't so good too. As for planning for June, don't plan too many activities, we need time to talk. I don't think we got much of that in Vegas. The quilt show was okay....it was all vendors not really a show. I spent less than $10 and that was for a couple of stamping supplies. I love to look at the stuff, but I don't really enjoy sewing....I'll have to leave that to my sisters. Of course, one of them was there with us. I think she is pretty well equipped, but it's still fun to look at the stuff. Also it was an excuse to go to Phoenix with Apples. Long day, but it was fun. We went to lunch (Indian food) then drove through florence and Coolidge and Catalina which is a longer but more scenic route. Hope everyone has a good night. Eva