I got Johnny's seed catalog today and I might have been more tempted if I hadn't looked in my seed drawer. I have lots of old seed and probably it would grow if I had a place to plant it. I have been sprinkling poppy seed in the snow. That also makes me think I don't need seed. It is hard to find a good place to sprinkle the seed I have. I have a dug up place planted with hyacinths. If I put seeds there it will shade the hyacinth foliage and they may not return next year. I may sprinkle some alyssum seeds there. I am so hard up for places to put seeds that I am thinking of moving my burn barrel, raking that area and planting shirley poppies there. There is a nice bare area there but it isn't good soil.

Somehow I am continuing to (slowly) lose weight. Honestly, if I hadn't recently had a physical and blood tests including thyroid, I'd wonder if something was wrong with me! I am down 8-9 lbs. now since the end of August, which on my small frame means I am down at least one size (I was wearing size 12 jeans; now wearing size 10 AND I have to put them in the dryer to shrink them because they get too baggy...previously, I could never put my size 12s in the dryer because they'd never fit!). None of my dress pants fit. A friend, who I hadn't even told about my "diet," last week told me I was "disappearing." I loved that! And this is all without a super-strict plan other than I have vastly reduced my intake of sugar, junky/processed foods, and even fake sugar like Truvia or Equal. I don't put anything but milk in my coffee (previously I used a small amount of Truvia). I only eat bread that is whole grain, no high fructose corn syrup, less than 3 g of sugar per serving. I generally buy myself a loaf of high-end bakery bread and keep it in the freezer and dole it out carefully. Only have pasta that is whole grain, thank goodness for all the new varieties, AND only have it with veggies and usually protein included. I have had slip-ups, particularly in the last 3 weeks or so, but somehow I still lost 1-2 lbs. I am not even exercising that much. I fell out of the habit after the stitches in my leg and with the holiday craziness, snow, and the fact that my gym closed and now I have to go to a branch that's about 20 min. away... I've had a hard time getting back into it and realistically, it's probably not going to happen until after Christmas. BUT, I just ordered a treadmill for my basement! So pretty soon, I'll have no excuses. I can see that exercise is not the key to weight loss for me, but it does make me feel better both physically and mentally.

You go, Beverly!!!!! Only 10 more pounds to go!!!! DGD from Indiana is coming for a week long visit on Wednesday, so I'll be getting more exercise! She's a lively one (along with her brothers) and skinny as a rail. We were thinking the hospital gave DD the wrong baby til we saw an early pic of my MIL......looks just like her! There's nothing 'round' anywhere! I think we'll plant some flowers in the big urn this week......plus, there's a nature walk we haven't been to yet so that's a big possibility, too.' Everyone have a great week!!! SharonG/FL

Elliptical machine done, some dancing added to cool down......I'm pooped!! Mrs. Steven Rudy la la la Next?