You could camp with us. We try to go several times over the summer. We're going to Moosehillock campground for Memorial Day weekend. They have a themed pool and daily activities. We're going to our favorite campground the weekend of July 22nd. It's in Danville, VT. They are having a competition weekend with planned activities on Saturday. They usually have a mini golf tournament, tennis, free throw basketball, horseshoes,shuffleboard, arm wrestling and it ends with karioke in the evening. We always have tons of fun.
We are also thinking of going to Lake George the first week in August, but haven't firmed that up yet. We'd be up for adding another weekend or two along the way, but haven't picked dates or campgrounds yet.
Actually, I recently heard REALLY GOOD things about Moosehillock. I need to find a few minutes to check them out online!
Much better day!!!!!!!!!
I have no idea how many points I had though. Well, I should be clearer. I had 2 for breakfast, 3 for snack, 7? for lunch, and 4 for snack. That's 16ish. Dinner was at least 5, but doubtfully 13. I don't know for sure though, as my father made the teriyaki sauce from scratch. I know there's soy sauce and rice vinegar in it and he likely put honey it too. The protein was shrimp, which is pretty low in points. The rest of the meal was veggies and rice. Overall, I feel very good about today!
I ended up with 4+ hours of OT this week. The money will be great for WDW. My sister and BIL each have a b-day before our trip, so I'll probably get them each a small gift certificate. Just some spending money so they can buy a coffee or an ice cream. My parents are paying for everything and I'm guessing they would feel awkward asking them to pay for "the little things."
I've done a lot of thinking about moving out of my parents' house and think that I'll be ready in September or October. It's a big deal financially so I do have to think things over carefully. I've been saving, but KWIM.
Well, I'm ready for bed. Nigh all!
CC
You sound so much more positive today! I'm glad about that. And isn't it amazing how keeping control of your eating makes EVERYTHING ELSE seem better??!!
ANOTHER thing we have in common!
Sisters, separated at birth!!
Hmmmmmm. Perhaps I should post some truly gruesome photos that might help motivate you to get to the dr???? No, they aren't of my feet, but of me unable to get up off the couch, me in wheelchair unable to walk, me before and after several surgeries, and for extra horror I can see if I can put together a pictorial timeline so you can see my weight balloon up as things got worse and worse because I ignored it and hoped it would go away. . . .
Make the appointment.
I know, I know. But honestly, it comes and goes and just hasn't seemed BAD enough yet to warrant a doctor visit (if you know me, I have to be in pretty bad shape to visit the doctor). But I also know that putting it off won't help.
A friend mentioned her inserts that she has used since she originallly got pregnancy-induced PF. I am going to look into those, once she can tell the the brand. Think they would help????
Had a pretty good day today. Had a lot of fun at DD11's school. They all made "gross" food that looked or sounded terrible but was really all great-- things like dirt cake and kitty litter cake and things with gummy worms. DD made Swamp Water. It turned out great. The fish eggs were cooked tapioca pearls and the kids were truly amazed by them! Here is the recipe P and anyone else that is interested. Would have been great for your Pond unit today!
http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/hol...-recipes/halloween-drinks/swamp-juice-784944/
We just got back from a Percussion Concert at the High School. It was really enjoyable and not really anything like I expected. I was so impressed with the kids.
Yesterday DD11 had her Girl Scout Bridging Ceremony and DD15 had her last band concert-- both at basically the same time. DD15 was really disappointed that I wouldn't be able to make it. We had to split up and DH went with her and I went to the GS event. As it ended up they did the bridging really quick and were done by 6:30 and moving on to the large amounts of desserts and social time. I killed two birds with one stone-- avoided the desserts all together and was able to make girls happy. I got someone else to take DD11 home so she could stay and play and I raced back across town and got to the concert just as the group before hers was finishing.
In the absence of willpower I figure total avoidance is the best strategy anyway! I would have enjoyed some time to sit and relax with my friends but really wanted to get to the concert.
So DH has signed up for a 5K next weekend and I am signed up too! Well, okay, I am signed up for the .5 mile Fun Run (walk in my case). Should be a lot of fun and we are looking forward to cheering Daddy on in his first 5K in about 14 years.
No big plans this weekend. DD15 has been invited to 2 movies so may go see Prom in the early afternoon and then see PotC later in the day. We have swim practice on Sunday. I need to do some major cleaning so I will probably be doing that most of the weekend. And working on my goals for the next challenge.
Have a great weekend everyone!
I'm glad you were able to see both of your DD's in their important events. I haven't had to miss much in my kids' lives, but when I have, it is so tough. In 7 years of swim I've only missed one or two meets.... mostly due to Robotics scheduling conflicts. And I've never missed a Robotics event (that said, they only have a few robotics competitions a year, so easier to hit them all!). But it is sad for the kids, I know.
Have fun cheering for DH in his run!! Maybe you could make t-shirts with his picture??
Heard anything about the job yet??
Sorry, I haven't posted my weight in a couple weeks. Life has been crazy and so has my eating pattern. We just had to put my Mom in dementia care at the Nursing Home -- some days are good and some days are very bad. Mother's Day she didn't know who I was. It was a very sad day for me. We just finished getting her apt packed up and most of the contents put into storage. I still have the task ahead of me of going through everything, but I just can't do that right now. In addition, my stomach has been in an uproar. I was just diagnosed in the last 2 weeks with a bleeding ulcer and H. pylori bacteria in my stomach. I am on treatment for both and have to have more tests run in a couple weeks. My weight went up 4 pounds in a week and I was embarrassed by all the junk I was eating. I weighted yesterday and I am back to the weight I was several weeks ago when I reported in. I have finally re focused and ready to try to continue my weight loss journey.
Disney1990
Team Donald
Oh my... that is so much bad news. I'm so sorry about your Mom's decline in health. How sad that she didn't know you on Mother's Day, of all days. And of course, I'm sure that the stress of all of this is compounding and worsening the stomach issues.

I'll be adding you to my prayer list.
Good morning all!
Apparently I need to work on my guest coach skills because I was never able to come back on yesterday to catch up. Sorry about that! :
Don't worry about us! Just glad you are on now!
Pamela, sounds like there are lots of interesting choices in your radius of travel to choose from for your Mom/Son week-end.
I guess we just need to take the time to actually make the decision. It just seems that something else keeps coming up every time I want to stop and talk about it.
I have a half next week-end. We have 5 hours to finish -- I know I can do that! And that is my only goal. I have another local half in September which I should technically start training for next week-end but I'll give myself a couple of weeks off and jump in a week 3 -- that means no run longer than 6.5 in June. I think my joints will like that! January will be here before we know it!
You are unbelievable! So inspiring!
So this morning I will do my 5 miles. DH and I went to Costco yesterday so I don't have to do a big grocery run and I can just stay home tomorrow and take it easy and do

. Ahhhh!
I know the feeling. I keep putting off the laundry in the hopes that I will get a
day and I can
instead of using the dryer. But I've run out of hope (and room in the hampers!) so I MUST do laundry today. I think that load #3 is spinning out now.
As I think ahead to what I want to accomplish for the next challenge I found this little article from sparkpeople about 10 tips for starting a wellness program that you might enjoy. A lot of us are doing many of these things already but it doesn't hurt to reevaluate and fine tune!
1. Write out your goals and desires
2. Ask what, when and how
3. Have a plan
4. Start a journal
5.
Begin your journey where you’re standing now
6. Take one step at a time.
7. Learn from your setbacks.
8. Spend some time “cleaning house.”
9.
Stop comparing yourself to others
10. Reward yourself.
Here is a link to the whole article if you are interested. ttp://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/wellness_articles.asp?id=269.
Have a great week-end all!
I love that list! Of course, #3 is my favorite!!

But I need #7 right now too!!
Just a quick hello and happy weekend!!
Home from a wonderful baseball game where the sun was shining mostly. We went to the park at 8 to fix up the field, they they had pictures, and practice before the game at 10. The game was great, they have pretty much all been nailbiters. They're up, they're down, and this time ds's team won. There's only 4 teams in his division, and his is in 2nd, but he heard the Indians who have beat both time, were getting creamed by the red sox this morning, so maybe they'll stand a chance against them on monday. This is the first year they officially keep score, so it's been interesting, and fun, and the boys really all have been great whether they win or lose.
I'll be back to catch up later. I need to get out and enjoy this sunshine while it lasts!!!
Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!!
Umm... did you have actual sunshine? We had a bit yesterday in the morning, then it disappeared and we had dark, dark clouds and downpours off and on throughout the afternoon. But the evening cleared again. And now we are back to cloudy, grey skies with the occasional shower or sprinkle today. I am SO sick of it!
Hi all. Just wanted to say a quick hello.
It turned out to be a beautiful day here today. We got up bright and early at 6am to do a yard sale. The neighborhood was having one so we didnt want to pass up doing it today but it did require nick to miss the first kids run of the season. Ryan was already planned to miss it since he had tball today. I missed ryans game but mike said he did awesome. 3 line drives to the outfield. I think he will be more than ready to move up to coach pitch next year.
It got very warm and sunny out toward the end of the yard sale. I made 21.50 from our stuff and 68.25 for stuff from his nana's house (who passed away this year). We have to split that amount with his mom. Even though I was the one who cleaned out 95% of the apt and boxed everything up and brought it and stored it in my garage. She didnt even want to come down and sit with me at the yard sale. But Im not bitter.

Its really not the money but just the point. his mom has not done much for us or mike since I have met him but yet when she needs something he drops everything to help. I know and honor the respect we need to have for our parents but she is just erks me sometimes. Ok MIL vent over.
Anyway now we are just relaxing and the kids are taking a much needed nap.
My mom may be letting the kids have a sleepover but she wants to wait until 5pm to make sure the world is not ending first.
She is such a wack.
Otherwise nothing planned for the rest of the day.
I hope you all are doing well.
Bolded statement TOTALLY cracked me up!!
Save your yardsale "riches" for something special for yourself!
First of all I want to THANK YOU ALL for your love and support the past few weeks! It has been of a tremendous help to me!
I have some positive news to share FINALLY!!!!
My mom will start radiation on Monday. They can still come visit this summer. She will probably have chemo when they return to NC end of July/early August. The lesions are localized and haven't spread anywhere. They expect her to be in remission with in the year!
I got the news right after arriving at the Relay for Life last night! It made the beginning so special to me to get that promising news. It was a wonderful inspiring night! The 13 other ladies I walked with are now life long friends! They were all so concerned and caring. We all had our personal reasons for being there! I walked over 15 miles total. I walked in groups and by myself listening to music or just listening to the sounds from the highway. The weather turned out almost perfect! About 2am we had fog and mist! But with the hundreds of luminarias lit around the inside and outside of the track it was just breathtaking!
I got home at 5:30 and went to sleep for about 3 hours until Brian woke me up to get ready for the soccer games. The weather was quite warm this morning! Ashleigh scored her first goal of the season! She has improved so much this season and she's really loving the game!
We then went to the British Beer Co for lunch courtesy of Brian's work. Ash got a special drink. I had a mudslide to drink! I don't plan on eating much of anything the rest of the day!
I'm EXHUASTED and my feet and thighs are KILLING me! Going to lie on the couch and watch the Bruins game and chill. Ash just went to a friend's house and Izzie is in the back yard drawing with chalk. Brian had to go to work as they are having some electrical issues but he also did the dump run though he left a box of cardboard at the top of the stairs.
That's it for now!
TTFN
I am so VERY, VERY pleased to hear the good news for your Mom!! It seems like a good sign that they aren't starting the chemo right away!! And I imagine it made your time and dedication to Relay that much more meaningful. It seems like since I signed up to Captain this Relay team, I've gotten nothing but BAD NEWS on the cancer front from friends and family. So depressing. But makes me SO pleased and happy that I am involved with the Relay.
15 miles is impressive. I'm gonna wear my pedometer at mine... we'll see how I do!
AHHH!!!! Did I really kill the thread? WOW!!!!
Pray that my car doesn't need major repairs!!!! It's been squeaking like crazy and it's not the breaks! I'll have to stop at the shop on Monday to check it out!
Guess I need to think of other ways to save money! YIKES! I have a bunch of stuff to take to the consignment shop this week so that will go in our Disney fund bottle!
I slept about 90 minutes on the couch and Brian mowed the lawn! Listened to my beloved Bruins fall apart! Brian and Izzie are playing
Lego POTC. I will play after they go to bed.
Going to talk to Ash about cancer tomorrow. We didn't want to ruin her day and she also might have trouble sleeping if we told her later in the day. I wanted to also tell her that my parents dog is not coming this summer but my mom said wait. I hope she's not changing her mind as the issues the dog has are too much for the two of them to deal with along with Mom's treatments.
Hoping to go to church in the morning. May try to go at 8 if I can get up. Or go to 10 and leave right after communion. Got hair and make up to do on both kids for photos.
Have a great rest of the night!
Don't forget those weigh ins! This is the last one so you want to make it count! I will have a BIGGGGGG GAINNNNNN as I just couldn't get things under control this week! I hope to start working out regularly again this week. Maybe I'll start on Monday.
TTFN
No, you didn't kill it. We are just moving slowly I guess.
I am so glad to hear this tracey. That is great news. The walk sounded wonderful and probably just what you needed at this time. I want to hook up with a team for next year. It sounds like an amazing event and Im not sure why I havent done this sooner.
It is actually a fun thing to be involved with. I walked with a team that my Mom captained for years.... actually, DS was pushed in a stroller the first year we were involved and now he is taller than me, so I guess we've been involved with Relay (off and on) for a long time now. Start looking around now and get involved with a local team or start one of your own. Even if your local Relay is already done for the year, it isn't too early to start getting organized for next year. Most established teams spend 6-9 months fundraising and organizing before their actual event.
Wow the weekends have been very quiet here. I hope everyone is outside finally enjoying spring. I know I have been.
My kiddos are having a sleepover at my parents tonight so mike and I took advantage and went and had dinner together. We shared a stromboli so although it wasnt the best choice it was in a small portion. I also had 2 glasses of beer (light). Not a usual for me but boy did it taste good. We ate outside on the patio and really enjoyed our alone time together.
Of course now we are home and I am on here and he is watching tv upstairs. Wow we really are turning into an old married couple.
Talk to you all tomorrow.
Sounds like us! DH is taking some vacation time this week and I am working most of the week, but I mentioned to DH that maybe we could spend some time together Tuesday.... but sadly, other than the "obvious" we couldn't think of much to do together!! Kinda pathetic, huh??
My eating is not at all under control and I'm not planning to try to reel it in until after next weekend's camping trip. Between starting my new job on Monday, a full week of Lacrosse and concerts there is no way that I will eat normally.
On a positive note I got a bunch of exercise today. We pulled the cover off my parents pool and power washed it. We cut down a tree that was hanging over their barn. There we so many branches to haul around the barn and load onto a trailer. We also mowed the lawn. I did the push mowing and we have some steep hills. This evening we had a lacrosse game with my brother's family on the lawn. Not sure who came up with the rules, but I certainly was sweating
If I know you, I'm sure you burned a TON of calories this weekend, despite not keeping the calories under control. Plus I'm sure that there might be some stress eating involved as you get nervous about the new job starting tomorrow! Good luck with that! We will all be anxious to hear how it goes!!
today didn't start out as I had planned.
I had planned to get up at 9, I got up at 11:30.
I had planned to eat blueberry morning for breakfast, I had 1/2 a yogurt that tasted weird.
I had planned to get a ton of house work done, we spent waaaayyy to much time at the new Lowe's, but it's a really nice store!
I had planned to get the bathroom fan fixed so it wouldn't leak from the roof. That we did get done, or at least we hope. We'll find out when it rains again. LOL
I know that despite our best laid plans, sometimes "LIFE" gets in the way! Just get back on track as soon as you can!
I love to wander around a good new Lowe's or HD.... I'm a fix-it nerd I guess!
According to my pedometer I walked 4794 steps. It will probably be at 5000 before I go to bed.
I need to get on the treadmill and see what it is when I work out. I'd like to get the 10,000 - 15,000 a day.
I also need to see what it's like at school too.
Over all it was an ok day, well at least until I got DS14's progress report.
Pamela, don't be surprised if DS suddenly reduces the amount of texting to DD.
Oooooppps! I'll let her know. Sorry about the bad news on the progress report. Makes me think we should be getting ours soon.
I hope everyone has a great Sunday!! I'm headed to bed!
HOpe you had a nice Sunday too!
Pamela- I can't think of any other trip suggestions for you and ds, but if you do the western ma Six flags thing, i know there's the basketball hall of fame, and I believe a baseball museum out the springfield way. My brother's out there, and we have done a couple easy hikes, I can find out the mountain, but one was very cool, and at the top was an old hotel from the early 1900s that we could explore. I hope to do the Cape in august, and take the ferry over to the vineyard and bike over there. There's lots of campgrounds on the cape too. I've heard good things about lake Compounce too. Have you kayaked before? Maybe it's time for the total mystery trip you talked about. I laughed at you and Maria's talk about it all being downhill once they outgrow Storyland.
I like to kayak okay, but DS had a VERY BAD experience with ocean kayaking a few years ago (just picture wind, waves, DH and DS BOTH tipped over in kayaks, waves taking them away from shore, and people from shore RUSHING to save them.... NOT a good day!
Praise the LORD we always insist on lifejackets.) I think I might be able to get him to kayak on a very calm lake near shore (in fact, I think he has done that on vacation a few times recently), but not more than that.
I guess Six Flags is the "Storyland for Teens". ICK.
I had read that and friday night, we went for a bike ride, and as we were riding when there were no cars, I could hear michael singing, and I thought, this is what it's all about. He was just enjoying the ride. Though later that night, when he told me he was making up naughty words to go with the song he learned in school, all I could do was laugh.
Yup....gotta love our boys!!
I did well with eating yesterday, and have tracked everythign since friday. I made chicken, broc,ziti this morning to bring for my friend who's coming home from Ireland today. That way she or dh won't have to worry about dinner, and they can just relax. I made a big batch, so we'll have half here, for dinner the next few nights. What's that saying, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. I definitely need to make a meal plan to help me stay on track. I should visit the meal planning thread. I've got the exercise plan.
Hope you're all enjoying the weekend, and are able to enjoy a little fresh air and sunshine.
YEAH for the tracking everything! Keep up the good work!
Since Lisa so nicely posted the past few days, I'll post a sunday qotd. Not nearly as inspiring, but I'm trying to get planning more.
Sunday qotd- Do you plan your meals for the week, and what do you have planned for tonight, and or the week ahead?
I've got my chick,broc, ziti. Depending on how hungry ds is, it should last 3 nights.
Well... as you all know, I am a bit of a planner

so yes, I plan my meals for the week ahead. That said, I"ve been "winging it" a bit more lately, since my pre-planned menus were made before we decided to try a "lower carb" lifestyle for a while. Some of the meals have been scrapped completely and some have been modified.
Tonight is the frozen salmon patties I've mentioned before (the crusted ones aren't too bad carb wise, but I will have a choice for DH of plain ones or crusted ones.... I'm eating a plain one), plus roasted asparagus. Not sure what else. I'm getting really sick of a plate full of GREEN (broccoli, asparagus, lettuce, spinach, green beans, etc). I need to come up with another (low carb) side dish for tonight. I have some ideas.... need to double check the pantry/freezer to see if I have the necessary ingredients.
Hi All,
A quick post before running back to the dance studio for Ash's Irish Step photos and Hip Hop photos. We just got back from taking Izzie for her photo and her photo with her sister.
Wouldn't you know it, Izzie lost a tooth 90 minutes before the photo and it was one of her top front teeth! AHHHHH! It was dangling so I had to pull it! The other top one is also quite loose so the Tooth Fairy will be busy this week.
At least you have a good way to document her "missing tooth" smile, right??
Slept about 10 hours last night and then the girls and I went to church for part of the service. Came home and ate and then did hair and make-up. It went smoother this year though they both hate having eye liner put on!
I'm sure you needed the sleep after the Relay night!
Going to do something with chicken for supper tonight. Not sure what yet but it's almost defrosted.
Going to take my car to the shop to find out what the squeaking is all about so that might take up the whole morning before Izzie gets home tomorrow. Ash has Irish step and soccer tryouts tomorrow night.
Guess I'll call my mother before we head back for photos so I'll pop on again later!
TTFN
Let us know what you do with the chicken. Hope that the car repair isn't significant.
***********Afternoon friends!
Well.... let me just say, up front, I'm not feeling very "Biggest Loser-ish" after yesterday. I think we could call it CARB LOADING! I knew I would be eating popcorn at the movies, so I guess I figured I'd just eat any other carbohydrate that got in my way!! I went to bed feeling like GARBAGE and still feel that way right now. Talk about OVEREATING!!!

What a STUPID thing to do.... and no one to blame but myself. I've been eating SUPER light today and pushing the fluids. Hopefully my system will flush out quickly. I know that the WEIGHT gain is inevitable, but hopefully I can FEEL BETTER soon. Moving on now.

............
New POTC was good, but not superb. But I'm glad we went cause DS really wanted to see it... and it was pouring anyhow and it got us out of the house on a rainy Saturday.
Actually, I must confess,that the reason I am still chatting here is cause I'm avoiding the very long Relay email that I absolutely MUST send out. Too much to do for RELAY.... UGH!
I'm working a lot this week, plus I have a few busy evenings (what's new, right?) and such, so not sure how much I'll be on this week. DD has a swim meet most of Memorial Day weekend too. Don't be too surprised if I'm not on much in the next week or so. I haven't forgotten you all, I promise!!
I'll try to pop on again before bedtime tonight!.....................P