I added three pictures of my yard and flowers, what do you think?

Hi Everybody,

Sandy, your yard is beautiful. I hope you have lots of great weather----not too hot, not too cold---so you can spend a lot of time out there enjoying that setting. How does Daisy Mae like the yard?

Barb----thanks for reminding all of us about writing our posts in word documents or whatever. The problem I have is that right in the middle of some great writing, someone (canine, feline, or human) demands my attention and there’s no way to pause or save in the middle of a MFP reply and them come back later. I don’t even have to use the word “walk” around my dogs. If I put on lace up shoes or a sweatshirt, they assume I’m about to take them to the dog park or, at least, for a walk on the hill. Yesterday I walked them then lay down to read and fell asleep. When I woke up they were in bed with me and as soon as I got up they assumed that I would walk them. Are there rest rooms along your walking route? With all the water we all drink, I can’t imagine walking all those miles without a place to stop. Congratulations on your weight loss. You are evidence that walking is really great exercise.

Marie, that Stouffers spinach soufflé sounds great. I think I used to buy them. I may have to go get some again. On the subject of cats, my two are very independent except when they want food or want to go out or in the door. Last night Bernie was nowhere to be found at bedtime so we reluctantly went to bed with him still out. At 12:45 AM I was awakened by our dogs barking. I got up and went out on the back porch and found Bernie under the table howling terrible things at the cat next door. Fortunately he let me pick him up and bring him into the house. After that, we all slept better. Congratulations on your weight loss. It is so good to see you back on the weight loss bus.

Ellen, I am so sorry to hear about the fires. Besides being concerned about all the people, I feel terrible that so much of Beautiful British Columbia is being destroyed.

Gayla, I’m glad to hear that you are being cautious getting back into exercising. Slow and steady wins the race. I think the wii is a lot more challenging than it appears.

Beth----it’s great to hear from you again. Congratulations on your continued weight loss and on your continued great attitude in the face of hot weather and ignorant people.

Brandy’s foot is better so we went to the dog park. There was a good sized crowd of dogs many of whom were from out of town and here for the festival. Dogs are allowed at the street fair but not at the farms so many people take advantage of an outdoor dog sitting service provided by the local therapy dog club set up near the street fair while the people go visit the farms.

We got a lot of our exercise today working in the yard. I think someone is coming in after dark and planting more weeds because no matter how many I pull there are more the next day.


It's too beautiful to sit so long at the computer.
hugs to all
Barbie

Hi everyone!
We are feeling better and about to get back to normal!
Although I do believe that I am getting depressed about not having been at the wedding. I worked all year on it sending emails bacck and forth and making arrangements that I never got to see. Now I will say that at least I am still alive and didn't miss the wedding totally! You gals missed all the drama over what I was going to wear. I brought home att least 20 outfits before I found the right one!

okay, I just finished a a long post, ddid it in text edit, hit the space bar and it was gone

going to quit while I am ahead!
Hi to everyone and congratulations on the weight loss you have had

Fortunately, the parks department has a restroom located about 2 miles into the route I take, and there is a Chevron station, complete with all kinds of goodies, including unsweetened iced tea, which came in handy at about mile 4 on Saturday. In a pinch, there are lots of densely wooded areas along the trail, so I can always pretend I am backpacking and do what is necessary, ,but I prefer the comforts of civilization to hiding behind a tree, hoping no one shows up out of nowhere!!!

My doggies are very predictable. They are either hungry, ready to go for a walk, or sleeping. The other thing they are really good at is being underfoot, no matter where I need to walk in the house.

I worked on a cleaning and sorting project in my bedroom today, and so help me, at one point, Pepper laid down on TOP of my FEET!! just to make sure I didn't get too far away!! Mai Li stationed herself nearby, so that if I needed to get into the living room, I would either have to step ON, or OVER ( a better option) her.

Finally, after about 3 hours, they figured out I wasn't going anywhere, so they actually went into the living room and slept, which meant I could turn around without tripping over one of them!! A vast improvement in terms of my productivity!!

Well, I am hoping to get to bed early tonight, before I get my second wind and can't wind down til midnight!! 4 am comes way TOO early!!

Have a good week!!

Barb

PS Watching the tv news just now, and unfortunately, the fires that Ellen was telling us about have not gone away. They had video of houses in a neighborhood in Kelowna burning, and I believe they said there are actually THREE fires. My prayers will include those folks tonight.

Barbiecat, I added the Stouffer spinach for the whole box and then dvide by half and it came to 225 calories Not bad for a meal. Still have calories for a topping. Jake Hummus wpuld be good on it.

Barbs I know what you mean by animals underfoot. Ours are always in the kitchen when we cooked breakfast. Waiting for a handout.

Ellen hope all is in control at the lake.

Elli--- hello my friend.

Jeffrey---Enjoy you garden. Ours have all dry up. Will plant some more seeds in August for a fall Garden.

Sandi---Glad to hear from you. So sorry that you missed the Wedding.

SANDY--YOUR BACK YARD LOOKS GREAT. LOVE IT. WHAT KIND OF FLOWERS DO YOU HAVE?

Phoebe--- I guess you are still out on the road since you left later this week. See ya when you get back

Chowhound, Hope you are not close to the fires. Take care.

Jake-- Haven't heard from you lately. I am sure you are fine or barbiecat would have reported to us.

Lets have a good week this coming week.
Marie

Good morning, you all going to let me be first this morning.

Nothing much going on this week. Just stay on my program and enjoy life. I do have an eye doctor appt. and a appt. with my diabetic doctor this week. And then not another appt. till Aug. Yeah!!!!!!!!

Oh Jerry and I have been married 53 years ago today, We are going out to eat tonight. Been a good 53 years.

Have a good day
Marie

Good Monday Morning Everyone!

Pretty quiet here in Indiana today. I may actually have to mow the lawn this week. I am thinking of doing my plyometrics early today and then going for a bike ride. That is how bored I am! This weekend Day and I pitted and froze 10 quarts of tart cherries for the winter. Right now I don't care if I ever see another cherry! I made a beef stew Saturday that came out very well. I lean trimmed the beef and added no salt. I guessed it at about 400 calories per serving and most of that will be from the potatoes and beef. I does have a fairly high amount carbs but not an overload.

Day's test have been redone and they were negative! Prayer answered! Anyway back to the job search! Everyone have a great and happy day!

Barbie- Your landscaping and flowers are immaculate!

Beth- Happy to hear from you! Take care of yourself!

Gayla- Glad you are having some calm time! You deserve it!

Marie- Have a wonderful Monday! And congratulations on the anniversary! Day and I have #35 on August 10. (I am the baby on this board! LOL)

Everyone else I will catch up with you later!

Jeffrey

Congratulations to Marie and Jerry!! 53 years to the same man!!! How happy I am for you!! Have a wonderful anniversary and don't worry about any calories tonight, you deserve what ever you want!!!


I have a doctor's appointment this morning, just my yearly physical. There should be a good weight loss since last year, I can't wait to see the difference. Will also have blood work done to check my cholesterol etc. Then she will give me a prescription for the dreaded mammogram.

Other than that not much on my plate today. Tomorrow four of us girls are going to see Elton John and Billy Joel at Cubs park. It should be an exciting night.

I hope my Daisy is as smart as all of your animals, so far she seems so. She is doing very good on the housebreaking and now can go down the outside stairs by herself. She still is nipping but hopefully will stop soon or at least when she loses her baby teeth.

Have a great Monday and I will check it later.
Sandy

Hi everyone. We have cloud and wind today but so far no rain. We have had a lot of moisture and Dave has been cutting the grass about every 3 or 4 days. I did my grocery run today, ugh! I did make a menu for this week so went with a grocery list so it was a bit quicker and I tried hard not to get things that were not on my list.

Sandy -- I forgot to tell you that I checked out your yard -- very nice! I took pictures of my yard in the early summer but haven't taken them off the camera yet and of course, now it looks a bit different with flowers blooming. I will try to get them posted soon. I am so jealous of you going to Elton John/Billy Joel!! That is my dream concert! I have seen Elton in concert, sitting in the 4th row, I swear I could see his tonsils -- it was an awesome concert and I would go again in a heartbeat. Have fun!

Marie and Jerry -- Happy Anniversary!! Enjoy your dinner, I know you always enjoy each other.
You asked me awhile back if we go to Edmonton every year and you are right, we do go almost every year. Neil loves the big mall and although I don't really like shopping I do enjoy the mall.

Jeffrey -- So very glad that Day got good test results! Good job on the canning!

Barb -- You are a busy gal! I need to get closets cleaned while I am on holidays but I am still feeling a bit lazy. We cannot get unsweetened iced tea here so I have to make my own with green tea and ice cubes -- yumm.

Take care and keep smiling. Gayla

I thought you might enjoy this info about the mall we go to in Edmonton (esp. the shoppers).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Edmonton_Mall

Jeffrey, I missed your post this morning. You must have been typing while I was typing. I am so happy that Day's test results were negative. I bet you are both so relieved. What I leaned in A lAnon is not to worry about expectations. You can worry about what might happen and make yourself crazy and then those expectations are for nothing. I did pray and am glad all is well with Day.

I would love to see pictures of everyone's houses and yards. All of you sound like you live in wonderful area's and some with lot's of property. Our lot is not that big, but it is bigger than the new houses they build on now. Our house is old 46 years old, but we keep it up and it is home.

Went to the doctor and lost 8 pounds since my last visit. However I had gained about 10 more pounds than that last visit so I am proud of the weight I lost. Now for those last couple of pounds that are so difficult to lose.

Be back in the morning, hope you all have a wonderful evening.

Sandy

Barbiecat,,, I was browsing on the internet and ran acroos Betty Crocker Impossible pies and their meat and veggies pie are quite low in Calories and carbs. I am going to try the spinach one out as soon as I go to the store and get the stuff. Here is the link. The sweet pies are too many calories but maybe the pumkin one But a lot of the meat pies and veggies would make a nice meal. Thought you might like to check them out. I have made the pumpkin before and it is so easy and good. Marie

http://www.bettycrocker.com/search/searchresults.aspx?terms=all+impossible+pies

Hey wake up you guys. Well I overdid it on eating last night. So here I go again. But I haen't given up the ship yet. See ya' later~~~~~~~~~~ waving to all of you~~~~~~~~~~~~ Marie

Hi everyone!

Really don't have anything to say but thought I would bump the thread up! ha

We will be back in AZ tomorrow and I am looking forward to being home!
It is beautiful here in San Diego but we have not felt good enough to enjoy the weather. It is humid here and after the humidity in Mexico we are just hiding in the condo with the air on!

Have been eating soft things, hope we will be able to get back into our routine soon!

Take care everyone and enjoy the rest of the week!

Hi Everybody,

We have warm weather here today (77 degrees). The dogs lay down in the grass in the shade several times this morning when we were in the dog park. After a few minutes of cooling down they were up and running again. We stayed almost an hour. They spent most of the rest of the day snoozing on the kitchen floor where it is cool.

I went shopping today and bought a dress. There aren't many stores to choose from here and I only found one dress in the right size that wasn't too long (I'm short) and it fit, was the right color, and was on sale. Jake is going to be best man at a wedding next month and I didn't think there was anything in my jeans and t shirt wardrobe that would be suitable.

Jeffrey---I'm so glad to hear about Day's negative test results. Only in the medical world does negative mean good news and positive mean bad news. You are so busy now that when you go back to work, you'll wonder how you ever found time for it.

Sandi-----I'm glad you're feeling better. I'm sure it's taking a long time to get over the disappointment of missing the wedding. So what dress did you buy for the wedding and will you have somewhere else to wear it anytime soon?

Barb---I thought about you when I was walking today----there are no restrooms on my route---but I only walked about three miles. I walked somewhere new through a new subdivision that has all the streets and sidewalks but very few houses. I did some fantasizing about which water view lot I'd buy if money were no object. I would have walked farther but Jake got lonely after getting his hair cut and he came and got me.

Sandy-----that's a great idea about posting pictures of our houses. I'll try to remember tomorrow to take a picture and post it. I know you can lose those last pesky pounds.

Marie----you are always so busy finding new recipes---we mostly eat broiled or grilled meat, steamed vegetables and salad---thanks for sharing your ideas. Congratulations on your anniversary. That is a fabulous accomplishment.

Gayla----You're right about shopping with a grocery list. If I don't have a list, I buy all sorts of entertaining food.

It's late and I'm tired---time for bed.
hugs
Barbie

Opening the thread today. How are you guys doing. Got our grocer trip run made. Now want to go t to see our new remodel target rmodel into a supercenter. Ought to be nice. we didn't have one close by till now. So will be an experence. they made it into a much bigger store. Ugh got grocer to put up. See you later. Marie

Sandy where are you? Hope all is well. You usally start my day off with a smile.

Marie

I am here Marie, rough night at the ranch. We went to the Elton John and Billy Joel concert last night at Cub's Park (Wrigley Field). We had great seats and had so much fun (too much fun if you know what I mean). I have never seen so many people on the streets as there were before the concert. Trying to find a seat in 5 different restaurants was difficult but we did manage to find a table for two which four of us sat. The concert was the best I have ever seen. Those guys were amazing. I will post a couple of pictures just to give you an idea. Great Friends, Great Times. Life is wonderful.

I bet you will love that super Target Marie, Target is one of my favorite stores.

My weight was down this morning, but we didn't eat very much yesterday so I am not recording it.
I again have been lax on my exercise, but will get back on track soon.

Barb and Jake, I bet you are going to shock a lot of people at the wedding when they see what great shape you both are in. Glad you found a dress you liked and I bet Jake is going to look great in his tux.

Sandi, I hope you feel better soon, did you get the Mexican flu from water or lettuce? You really must have been sick to miss your son's wedding. Make sure they send you lots and lots of pictures so you can share them with us.

Everyone else have a great day, hope all your wishes and dreams come true.

Sandy

Sandy, look like you 4 had a very good time. glad you enjoy it. I really do like Elton John too. thanks for the report on the show. Like your pictures. Marie

Hi everyone! We have a cloudy day but warm. The forecast is for showers which will be nice. Dave just took his laundry off the line so bring on the wet stuff!! (He said I lost too many socks so who am I to argue??) I just made myself a spot of tea, yumm. I am doing pork chops in the oven for dinner and I think I may do the veg in the oven as well. We don't have a/c so on the really hot days I don't use my oven at all. We had Neil in to get his new shoe today and while we were waiting in the little room I knocked over my coffee from one hand with the magazine I was holding in the other (glad it was no longer hot/hot! What a mess. My pants (thankfully black) were wet all down the inner legs and so was my butt!! I did the best I could with paper towels and then went to the ladies room to dry the rest. Wouldn't you know -- it must be the only washroom left without an air dryer!!! I stood in the cubicle and waved my undies around to get them dry. People came and people went and there I stayed. Eventually they were mostly dry and I carried on but I really carried a lovely coffee aroma with me (great perfume, it doesn't go away). I had to go to the dentist for a short visit and if he smelled it he didn't say anything. My mouth guard needed some tweeking. Isn't life grand??

Sandi -- Sorry you still are not feeling like yourself. Hopefully, once you get home you will feel better. Nothing like your own bed to make you feel like yourself.

Barbi -- Hope your wedding experience goes well. Are we going to get to see a picture of you in the new dress??

Marie -- Enjoy your new store, I bet it will be busy. One day you asked if we had natural lakes or man-made. We are in lake country here and you don't have to go far to find one. The lake we go to is the result of a dammed river. It created a very deep lake. It has three arms, one of them being very long. The harbour sits where the 3 arms join. If we sail from one end of the lake to the other (sleeping in bays along the way) it takes us 5 or 6 days depending on the wind. Even though there are many lakes there are few that are good for sailing, either not deep enough for the keel or no ability to launch unless you used a crane. We stick to the one we know which is really no different than people who choose a cottage and stay there each summer. It is looking less and less like we will be doing any sailing this summer. Dave is painting the boat but it is a very big job, paint and sand, paint and sand!

Sandy -- I am so jealous but so glad you had fun at the concert. Those guys really know how to entertain.

Elli -- How is the house coming along?

Beth -- Thinking of you always.

Hi to everyone else, catch up with you next time.
Keep smiling. Gayla

Hello, checking in.
Thankfully the fires at Kelowna are pretty much under control, tho' lots of mopping up yet. People were allowed home today. But Terrace Mt. fire across to the west of the lake from us has picked up. Not many residents in the area but loads of smoke and ash here today. Had to walk indoors at the mall. Eveything is soooo dry. We really need rain, but that seldom happens here in the summer. The difference usually is that there is more snow pack left from the winter, and more moisture from spring rains.
But thank the Lord the fires are contained with only 3 homes burnt. That's amazing.
Food wise, I finally had to post the lbs I've gained. Struggling with keeping the carb count down.
Ellen

Gayla, Thats what we have here dam rivers.. They done a bunch of them so we would have plenty of water. But none is real large. It feels they are pretty big when you out on a boat. My grandson has a houseboat on one of our largest lake. I never been out on it. All of our lakes are low. for lack of rain.

You said you don't have A/C. With you nice weather you probable don't need one. Do you have A/C in your cars. Mine went out in my little car and it will coast more to fixed it than it is worth it. So we will not get it fix. We go in Jerry Suv, I never did get confortable driving it, But he will take me wherever i need to go.

What did Neil do all the time you were waving~~~~~~~` your pantie around trying to get them ddry. That must have been a funny site.

I went to the eye doctor yesterday and he needs to go back and learn how to put dye in the veins. My Han is all black and blue. Where the needle went in. He was taking pictures in the back of my eyes. Don't know what he learned. Said I had a little infections and gave me some med.

Ellen---Glad all danger of fires are almost under control. What a big relief.

All of the rest have a good night. I am going nighty nite. Marie

It's late but I want to say hello to everyone.

Sandy-----your concert sounds wonderful. I would have loved to be there. Thanks for posting your photos. I was so busy today that I didn't have time to take pictures of our house, maybe I will tomorrow.

Gayla-----that's a great story about spilling coffee on yourself. The dentist probably thought you had the most wonderful coffee flavored perfume. We're going to take our camera to the wedding and take pictures of all of us so there will certainly be a picture of me in my new dress.

Ellen---keep plugging away at the food and exercise---glad the news about the fires is getting better

Marie-----you have such a great attitude. You are so upbeat and good humored about everything.

This was a good exercise day today---two dog walking adventures on the hill, line dance, a 40 minute walk with a friend, and 25 minutes at the dog park.----over 21,000 steps.

Sweet dreams to all
Barbie

just dropping in to say hello. been to the Doctor and now to get busy.

Had a breakfast of 2 porch eggs and 1/2 c fresh pimeapple.
Lunch will be a yogurt. Running late on eating today. Always do on Doctors days. If they do blood work and she did this morning, I hate to get off my regular rountine. It just thow me for a loop.

see ya later

Marie

Good Afternoon Everyone!

We finally got some rain yesterday! My garden is smiling! I had another interview this week and it went well. Out of over 400 applicants I have made the short list of 3. Maybe this one will be decent! I am ready to go back to work.

Everyone here is good. Joe the cat has learned to shake hands now. That cat will do anything for chicken! Not too much else to report on, just working out and cooking! Oh, and cleaning and picking up after Dayanne!

Everyone have a great day!

Jeffrey

Hey, Marie, are those porch eggs the kind that come from chickens on the porch?
I had one this morning too - at Denny's. I'm trying a no carb day, or low carb because I still eat blueberries. Have been gaining weight like crazy - almost 5 lbs in the last week or so. Help!!!
Thanks for your encouragement, Barbie. Hope you enjoy your wedding, look forward to seeing you in your new dress.
Great news, Jeffery, your wife is OK. As you say, now for the job.
We could do with some of your rain, Gayla. The fire across from us isn't directly affecting many people, but the smoke and ash here is getting to be quite problem. The cars look like they did after Mt. St. Helens blew in 1980. Everything is covered with ash. The light is an eerie smokey red/orange. And it's still very hot.
Talk to you all later.
Ellen

Hi from sunny Saskatchewan! Our rain yesterday didn't happen so I will need to give my little garden a drink today. This is my 5th day on program with NoS. I think I am in the swing of things. However, I don't think I will be nearly as good as Barbie when we are on holidays. I will do the best I can and I won't ask more of myself than that! Neil loves his new shoes and so far they are a perfect fit. We put off our Edmonton trip for a couple of weeks just in case the shoe needed adjustment, hope they don't. For some unknown reason Neil has been having a few more seizures this week. I hope they have settled as so far today we have seen none.

Marie -- We do have a/c in our cars and it gets well used. Most newer homes do have a/c as we always get temps in the high 30 to 40C (high 90 to 100F) several days in the summer. So far this summer we haven't reached that. I am glad because with that comes the severe storms. We are lucky that our house has a lot of insulation and good windows. We close the blinds in the morning and it stays quite nice. In the evening we open the windows and turn the fans on and by the time I go to bed it is usually perfect. If it is too hot I could go to the basement but so that hasn't happened. We did plan to put in air but it just never happened. Those Dr. visits really keep you busy! Sorry you ended up with such a bruise! Every time I read about you having eggs for breakfast I decide that that is what I will have the next morning and then morning comes and I don't think of it. Tomorrow I will have eggs and poached are my fave!!

Barbie -- My husband is following along with my eating plan so I am hoping he helps me stick to it. I am trying to get Neil to lose some weight as well but he does love his burgers and he loves to go out for lunch all by himself. The waitresses are good to him and he enjoys that. I have been encouraging him to get grilled chicken burgers with minimal success. At least he doesn't get the fries. He will be having another surgery in September so he won't be doing lunch for a few months!

Jeffrey -- Yeah for rain and yeah for a good interview. I hope this turns out to be the one!

ellen -- I hope you get some cooler weather soon and a nice all day rain!

Keep smiling. Gayla