Good afternoon! It's 91 F. and sunny here in SE Texas. Where did our "Spring" go??? Everybody has been so busy this week! I'm impressed with those of you who have stayed on your eating plan, worked out regularly, and are feeling positive about things. That's the kind of incentive and motivation I like! I attended our community center's Mother's Day luncheon today. We had a style show first, clothes from Palais Royal, then a lovely high tea/luncheon. Very much "lady foods", but it was all scrumptious! Today I sat with a table of people I've met briefly during this past year, so I had a chance to get to know them much better today. I was the "baby" at the table at 61, and the oldest one was 93. Most of the other 6 women were in their high 70's and 80's. These women are very active in the community and never seem to slow down. They are such an inspiration to me. Tonight I'm going to spend the evening with our friend Susanne helping her get things ready for our ESA state convention next week. I had promised her when Larry was so sick that I would go with her to this if he wasn't up to it, and I will. I'll be staying at night with my son and DDIL while in Dallas, and that will be the only time I'll get to see them while there, but it's better than nothing! Dee, I hope they don't dump too much extra work onto you. Time for another cruise, isn't it? LOL I'm going to see my granddaughters and son and DDIL tomorrow after cohosting a youth banjo concert at our church. Pray for me in the morning because I have to bake 5 dozen chocolate chip cookies!!!!! The doorbell just rang, and it was FedEx with a gift from oldest Dson and DDIL - 3 living, blooming African violets and a wooden collector's box. My DDIL really knows me well and Dson always trusts her taste. If I don't get a chance to post tomorrow or Sunday, I wish everyone here a Happy Mother's Day, whether you're a bio-mom, stepmom, or furbaby mom!

LIFER HERE!!!! I was a bit nervous about my weigh in. At my CURVES pre weigh in I was up~~WW's scales weigh less but I still had gained 1.5 pounds on the WW's scales as compared to last Friday. BUT it was still less than my goal weight so I will not beat myself up for that!! I went into this just wanting to get anywhere under 150, so 143.5 is not bad!! I did not get another charm for my key chain, they give you a lifer memebership card:( I wanted a charm LOL!! But, my WW's leader gave me flowers:) I was so surprised and a very nice framed quote to help you stay on task:) She really is a sweatheart! I know she has to pay for them herself, so that makes it extra special. She had me come up and tell everyone what I liked about the plan and what I did that helped me make it work:) I do Core and she had me talk about why I chose that since most folks do not do it. I thought I was done and she said NO there is one more thing you did that worked best for you?? I could not think of it and the other gals were trying to help me think too:) Finally she says 'you never missed a meeting' YES!! That is true and it did help alot! She wanted the others to know how important that is:) As I was leaving I went to chat with the receptionist (a man who has lost 66lbs) he told me I should apply for a job with WW's, the leader talked to me about that too~~~I would maybe do the weigh ins (receptionist). But, never a leader you have to know too much:) I wonder how much they pay and how often you do it? I already have a 10-2 job during the school year do I want more?? Not really but then I thought maybe that would be good for me to help keep my weight off. What do you think?? It was 107 here yesterday and is going to be hotter today how can that be?????? WC what is it like up in your area??? I am going to be in Frisco in a couple of weeks and up in Santa Cruz also. Is it going to be cooler for me?? I want it alot cooler???? WC have you ever been to Half Moon Bay?? I am reading a book that part of it takes place there?? I think I will have my DH drive through it just so I can say I was there:)

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

Hi golis! Well, alrighty, then. The police were over there all night last night and well into the afternoon. Let me explain how the apts are set up: they are like ranch houses that are connected to each other, sorta like a duplex. The immediate next door neighbors were friendly with the lady--I've seen them going back and forth to each other's place, so that makes the next chapter even more bizarre. We get home about 6PM tonight, and so help me; my hand up, the murdered lady's immediate next door neighbors were having a loud racous party out in the common area, in front of the victims' apt ***WITH*** the police tape still up, the crime scene techs still running around, the coroner's office there, and several officers present. I thought I had completely lost my mind, but I have 2 fully sober witnesses to it, or even **I** wouldn't have believed it, and I'm standing there with my jaw on my chest. O.M.G. WTF is wrong with peeps now days? There's evidence/biohazard bags all over the place, and the kids are playing within several feet of them. A bloody mattress is (was) standing in the patio area, and peeps are eating and playing cards nearby. I am truly stunned. Where is that deserted island????????? (2 local TV channels tried to interview me, but I wouldn't, and we're supposed to go down to the police station and give a statement) (OH--I almost forgot--I was talking to my next door lady, and she was home on Tues, with her windows open, and she told me that she heard **everything**, but thought it was a screaming match between a couple. She didn't call the police, but did get suspicious when she saw the grandson taking out armloads of 'stuff'. She was bawling this morning b/c she told me that she will forever hear the screams and think that if she had called the police, one of them might have lived. Bless her heart--she's a good lady, and I feel so sorry for her--what a thing to live with.)