Good to see you, Raeanne! We had a wonderful trip. DH and I joined up at the spa for the 12 days to use the private therapy pool, sauna, hot tub, and steam room. It was heavenly; they even served us freshly squeezed orange juice! Let's see, I took a National Park/Island tour of Antigua, swam at Malibu Beach in Barbados, walked into town in Tortola, took a spice tour in a Best-of-Grenada day, and went whale-watching in Dominica (pronounced Dom-en-eeek'-ca ....like the Singing Nun's song!!) I saw more whales in Dominica than I did in Alaska, so that was fun. We saw a sperm whale and her baby right next to our catamaran...our captain showed us the first spout of water (momma), followed by the little spout of water (baby imitating momma!), so we followed the spouts and found them! So cute, I felt one with nature, ladies; you would all have been very proud of me! LOL!!! Back at work, my director is now flying back to the UK. He gave me rave reviews and did not flinch when I asked for a promotion! He promised to get it done if at all possible this year. With complications, he promised to get it completed next year. Fine with me; as I was ready for an argument like I got from my last director. He told me he cannot run the department without me and has suggestions for a few years down the road of transferring me up to higher management levels. Not sure I want that at my age, but the money sure looks good up there, especially as I still will no longer have to manage people...been there, hated that!!!! OK, gotta run some more metrics on 2007 data. TAKE CARE, EAT HEALTHFULLY, AND NEVER NEVER GIVE UP! DeeMarie

Good Friday all, Lynn, good to see you post. I think the actions of your co-worker are juvenile and I think you should tell her when you are calm and unemotional that you really appreciate her being in the "spirit" but we are at work and it's inappropriate to hide under a desk......geesh, I am trying to visualize this whole scene in an adult setting. Don't bring in crickets.....sorry, BJ, but why should the poor little crickets suffer. Let us know how you choose to deal with it. You should not be embarrassed!! What adult is going to think someone in the office is going to jump out from under a desk???? Hello?? BTW, I love letting my freak flag fly................I love the song that expression originated from too! IN my case however, I really do let my chickens out and it helps me let my hair down!! LOL Maddie, good for you coming to NY! I hope you guys have a blast. I am trying to figure out how I can join you but the time frame is so small for the miles I have to go. Still, it could happen! Besh, GO SOX!! I know your part of the universe is coming to life......or is it death? LOL BJ, thanks for the menu idea. That sounds delish and totally fattening! I will let you know how it comes out. The weekends are the hardest for me too. One of my strategies for staying on track it to have my meals planned ahead and stick with it. I am sure it's hard to avoid having fattening stuff in the house with kids around. I can only suggest that you make a designated area ( a cabinet) for the snacks and goodies for the kids and don't go in it. I have heard that works - out of sight - out of mind - usually! The temptations are everywhere and you have to just make up your mind to avoid them. Since you want to post your menus how about posting tomorrows menu today and stick to it??? That's what I do even though I don't post it here - it helps. Raeanne, when do you leave for your wine trip? I hope the fires are under control soon. I too am thinking of Tikanis and hope she is okay. Maybe she will check in with us soon. DH is heading to some part of CA in his truck...on the road again.........I don't know the name of the town, I forgot to ask last night! Tomorrow I am heading out to Woodstock, VT for the weekend and will be home Monday afternoon. I cannot wait. This is one of my favorite places to ride. There are hundreds of miles of horse trails. It's a very horse friendly place to visit, not to mention stunningly beautiful. The link below has some nice photos. I hope we hear from everyone today. Here is a link that might be useful: Woodstock, VT

You mean a lot to us BJ, so spill away. That is so sad about the 20 year old. My former neighbor, 22 years old, killed herself a few years ago after a breakup with her boyfriend. If only she would have realized that life does go and that one day that ex-boyfriend would have been a mere memory. Now her family is left with painful memories. Her sister is getting married today and I know it is going to be hard without Jamie there. They were a close group of (3) sisters growing up. Raeanne - I hope the service goes well. I have been thinking about you. And I wanted to ask, what part of Pittsburgh did DD get to see? Where does her friend live? Is she downtown or in the suburbs? Besh - I did have yesterday off and I spent it shopping and relaxing. DD's birthday was yesterday (she couldn't come home) and DS's birhtday is 12/5, so we will celebrate them both at Thanksgiving and I wanted to get their shopping done. It was a beautiful day and I was just happy to be out and about. NHSuzanne - How is DH doing? Is he behaving himself? DeeMarie - Did I welcome you back? If not, welcome home. I too immediately checked out the story about the "pirates" to see if it could have been your ship. Aren't we all mother hens! LOL Gretchen - I miss you too and wish you would post and let us know how you are doing. Magic Kitty - Are you there? How's the weather in Florida? DS has been in Iowa the last 3 weeks, so he hasn't been able to enjoy the nice weather. Joanne - Good to see 2 posts from you! It is so nice to have some of our MIA's back on the boards. That was a nice poem, thanks for sharing. Oprah's show on Thursday closed with her asking, "What have you done lately to make yourself proud." She challenged her audience to make every moment count and make themselves proud. Made me stop and think about the little things that can mean a lot. Patti - So glad you are posting again too! What are you reading lately? I went to the half price book store yesterday and added 6 more books to my TBR pile. Like I needed 6 more books, but those bargain prices drew me like a magnet! LOL Give Dave a hug for me. Tikanas - Sounds like you have such a busy schedule lately. Are you taking time for yourself? Jen - I need to shop for a 2 year old for Christmas. What is Tara into these days. My Little Pony? Hello Kitty? What size does she wear? Maddie - Sounds like your long wait for a great job has paid off. Congratulations! Having nice people to work with is a great perk. Our new teaching assistant is working out great and I am so glad we waited for that "one last interview" and hired her. And thanks for organizing the Christmas exchange again. Thursday's menu: B - 2 pieces 100% whole wheat toast with 1 T natural peanut butter and 1/2 banana L - Wrap made with whole grain tortilla, 2 oz. lean turkey, 1/2 oz. Swiss cheese, spinach and cranberry mustard. Mott's SF applesauce S - Last 2 pieces of Halloween candy (DH wouldn't take it into work! Grrr...........) D - Chili with grated cheddar cheese and 1 slice fresh Italian bread Friday's menu: B - 4 oz. yogurt with 1/3 C Kashi Go Lean Crunch, 2 T sliced almonds and 1/2 a banana L - Wrape made with whole grain tortilla, 2 oz. turkey, 1/2 oz. Swiss cheese, spinach and cranberry mustard S - Skinny Cow peanut butter ice cream sandwich D - Barilla whole grain spaghetti with my home made sauce S - Amaretto Sour (It was Friday, what more can I say! lol) Make today count! Marci

Donna - DeeMarie forgot to tell you that she is our resident motivator, butt kicker and cheerleader! I am one of the priviliged that got to not only meet her once, but twice and she has a beautiful smile and sparkle in her eyes that warms your heart immediately. Just some more insight to some of the people here, we have busy busy Jen who made us all aunts and uncle with 2 precious girls since we have known her, Tikanis although relatively new in comparison, fit in all too quickly - she is adventurous and has a warped sense of humor (that's why I like her), I don't think you met Patti yet, no matter what she is facing she remembers each and everyone of us (WHERE are you Patti & Dave?), there is also Gretchen from the windy city and she blows in just long enough to catch up and then disappears (very busy at work, etc.) but we miss her. Which reminds me Lynn hasn't been around in quite a while, I hope all is okay with her. I haven't kept track of who was mentioned, but I am sure there are others I haven't mentioned - but everyone here has something unique to offer and that's why this place is so special. I am getting sappy in my old age. Jen - I was the one to leave all my friends behind and I never thought they could be replaced - well they can't - but fortunately you find new friends and still have your old ones. I stay in touch with my closest old friends, but not on a regular basis (as they are ALL computer illiterate LOL), but when we do talk or get together, it is like we haven't missed a day. It does get better. Tikanis - Someone asked me what I wanted for Christmas and I couldn't think of anything - I said I felt I had all I needed and didn't want anything. I felt just like you said, thankful and grateful for what I do have. I love the gingerbread house making party with DD - those are the things I like to do. You found yourself a great place to work. Menu: B - Smoothy S - 3 bagel chips (I had an uneasy stomach from the night before) L - 2 eggs Christmas Realtors Party: S - Appetizers before dinner, shrimp & scallops wrapped in bacon, vegie skewer, deviled egg D - 2 Beef fajitas with no tortilla NO alcoholic beverages, plenty of water The night before, I thought I had 3 glasses of wine, which was bad enough, but my DH said that the waiter and a friend filled my glass at dinner more than once - so who knows how many I had and we ate very late, so we had drinks on an empty stomach. I paid dearly for it yesterday, bad headache, uneasy stomach and exhausted. I wasn't a whole lot of fun last night - but boy you should've seen me the night before. The next day a casual acquaintance, kept telling DH that he had no idea how funny I was - I don't have a clue what he's talking about - but I sort of remember it had something to do with an air guitar. Too Much Information!