Biggest Loser Princess and Tinker Bell 2011 and 2012 -- OLD please see NEW thread

[mikamah]

I sometimes feel guilty for posting these long detailed things about my day on here and then I just post small vague posts there. Anyone else feel that way? I mean I dont want to change anything and mainly I just feel comfortable talking to you all on here but just sayin.

I do know how you feel. I wish i had more time to be more chatty on both threads too, but we all know there is not enough time in the day to do all the dis-sing we'd like to do. I'll come here and catch up with you all, and then not have enough time to go to the bl thread. You did great coaching last week, and chatting here too. I should be hitting the shower now, but wanted to say hi here first.

Rose- I am so happy for you being able to run 4 miles straight!! I think someone is looking out for you with all the stress of the possible move, you need to be able to run for stress relief. Yay!!

Maria- Sounds like you're having a great week. I took some cousins from Ireland to the Kennedy museum about 20 years ago, and that's the only time I've been. I'd like to go back again. There is so much to see here, yet I don't get out and see it. I think it's getting easier as michael's getting older too. Michael and his cousin taylor are just a month apart and get along really well. They're only 2 hours away, but we do a lot with them because they can entertain themselves at times. They're both only children too, and it's nice for them.

Lisa- Are you still celebrating the birthdays through the week? Hope you're having a good week.

Hi Liesel!!

Well, work wasn't too bad yesterday, so that was good. I guess I'll get moving now. Michael's still asleep, but I need to leave at 8 so I'll turn on the shower, and he should get up.

Have a fabulous day!!

 

[dumbo_buddy]

maria - i drove to CT - no train. train would be way too exhausting! drive wasn't too bad but i sweat the traffic gods know whenever it is that i'm driving and tell every car to get in my way. oh well.

happy friday everyone! i'm a little more chipper today...a little. feeling the junk food hangover big time. at least it's not too humid out and looks like today's going to be a nice day. i don't think i'm going to go for a walk today. i probably should but i could use a break.

just checked the tide chart and it looks like high tide (best for swimming and plalying around here) is right at nap time. i think we might do the club in the morning and then come home to nap and then go back again. we'll see. i always have big plans for the day and then my couch calls me.

have a great day everyone! what are the weekend plans??

 

[Rose&Mike]

Maria--Sounds like you are having a great visit! I'm glad it is looking up!

Lisah--hope you are doing ok and just busy, busy, busy this week.

Lindsay--hope you and your family of wrestlers got some good sleep last night.

Hi to Nancy, Lisa, Kathy, Taryn, and Jude.

******
We have picked a heating/ac contractor now we just need to schedule a time to get the new unit installed. I'm really glad we called the realtor. She gave us a good idea of what we need to do and what we don't need to do. She loved our pool--it's a weird pool. It's partially in the ground with a retaining wall around it with landscaping in the retaining wall. She thinks it will be a great selling point. So all that hard work we put in the backyard in June was a good thing. I just need to keep working on getting rid of stuff and start to get ready to declutter so that as soon as Mike gets an offer we can take pics and list the house. We don't have to paint as much as I thought we would, so that's good. And she told me not to plan on replacing all the windows, but rather just get a few of the panes with broken seals replaced.

Tom went out with a former gf last night (they've been sort of seeing each other). Then he went to the Harry Potter movie with a friend at midnight. It was nice to have a quiet evening. I told Mike I was taking the day off from cleaning. Which I think he was really happy about. I'm going to go to the Y this morning and then maybe do a little cleaning until Tom gets up. Tom and I plan on hanging out this afternoon. I am feeling much more excited about things again. This week was just a moment of panic I think.

Have a great day!

 

[Rose&Mike]

Kathy- sorry for the junk at work. I cant stand when people do that. Like hello your suppose to be a team. Well I hope your day went ok and I guess the positive is the extra hours mean extra money. woohoo.

Rose- Glad the run was great!!!!! Good luck with the realtor and contractors...I cant stand no shows either. Im sure everyone enjoys your posts and missing when you are not on. I sometimes feel guilty for posting these long detailed things about my day on here and then I just post small vague posts there. Anyone else feel that way? I mean I dont want to change anything and mainly I just feel comfortable talking to you all on here but just sayin.

Wow crazy is not even half of what my day was today. I cant even talk about it because Im so exhausted but mainly it was all work BS. Deadlines appearing out of no where that I am having to pull crap out of my you know what to meet them. Just very frustrated and on top of it I was asked by my boss to take on 2 knew projects/committes one of them being a group that will do public speaking re: patient centered medical homes. umm sure I will do it.

I also found out others have gotten their raise in this pay and my salary is still listed as the same. My pay also did not get deposited in the bank today. I called payroll and they said they submitted everything late so it will be in tomorrow. and this is a huge network of 10,000 employees. So needless to say I am overwork and even got more added on today and now Im hearing that everyone else is getting more and Im not. Ive just about had it today.

Im not even going to mention that in the middle of this my dh asked if he could golf on sunday after I just told him last week that if he signs up for a tournament at the end of the month we will only have money for that and no more golf days until then. Ok well I mentioned it anyway. He just doesnt get the stress that I am under financially all he wants to do is spend and when I talk to him about it he gets it but then asks for money anyway. this is the reason I control the money and not him. I feel like I need a blood pressure pill today thats how fired up I am.

Ok so there is my vent for the day. I am really hoping that my night is relaxing with no other crap associated. So if Im lucky I will be back later more mellow and happy than I am now.

I totally missed this post. I feel a little guilty sometimes, but the reality is, you all are keeping me sane this summer. I really have come close a couple times to throwing in the towel. My eating has not been good at all--I had a box of g-f mac and cheese for dinner last night (in my defense it is MUCH smaller than a box of Kraft). So, some guilt, yes, but this is what we all need right now, so that's just the way it is. I have been trying to be more active--I am the hostess for goodness sakes!

And the work stuff--I would be so not happy! I feel like everyone is in this--just be glad you have a job mode--and so no one feels like they can complain about anything. And complain may be too strong a word. No one feels like they can even say I can't do something or point out problems, etc. But not getting paid on time would really tick me off. It wasn't even a holiday this week, cmon people get your act together!

And the money stuff--have you tried sitting down with Mike once or twice a month and showing exactly what's going on with everything? Money stuff is tricky. It took us a long time to get a system together that works for us--one where we don't argue about things, etc. I am so glad Mike never had time to golf. It's a really expensive hobby!

Hang in there Lindsay!

*****
Kind of related to the "you can't complain at work stuff"---the real estate agent said with the economy now, you have to price a house so that people can pay less than the asking price. You have to assume they are going to offer less no matter how fairly you price it. The assumption by buyers right now is that they should not pay full price period. When we sold our house in IL we sold it for above the asking price. So this could be interesting.

 

[lisah0711]

Oh, great, I get to the be one to post after the troll. I reported our little troll friend so hopefully he will be gone soon.

Lindsay, I think that you did a great job coaching this week! I'm sorry that your week was so hectic. Hope that you have time to take it easy and get a little planning done so you can feel better.

And I don't think it's complaining to say "people depend on their paychecks being deposited on time" nor is it to mention that the increase in salary that goes with the increased responsibilities hasn't show up yet.

Nancy, glad that you had a good time with your friend. Sorry about the chicken fried thing but glad you are feeling better today. I'm going to pretend I'm at the beach with you today.

I do know how you feel. I wish i had more time to be more chatty on both threads too, but we all know there is not enough time in the day to do all the dis-sing we'd like to do. I'll come here and catch up with you all, and then not have enough time to go to the bl thread. You did great coaching last week, and chatting here too. I should be hitting the shower now, but wanted to say hi here first.

Hey Krazy Kowgirl Kathy! Thanks for coaching this week!

Glad that things turned out okay at work. I would not have been happy about that one either.

I have a little BL guilt, too, but it's not like we have abandoned the thread or anything so I think we should all stop worrying!

Maria, sounds like you are all really enjoying the staycation in spite of the heat!

Rose, glad that you are taking a day off from cleaning! Hope that you can do something fun!

Hi Lisabelle and all our other princesses!

I'm quiet because I had a little visit from a stomach virus. Luckily I seem to be the only person in the family who caught it. I am feeling better now. My scale showed a 7 pound loss but I'm pretty sure that will not stick around. I will be happy if half of it stays.

Have a great day all!

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Good Morning and !

Dennis and I got up and ran at Deer Island again. For some reason, maybe because it's a little cooler, I was much faster today, and I felt much better. I only did 3M instead of 5, since I plan to do 11 tomorrow. I have decided this is the last day of crap eating. Tomorrow Bethany flies back to FL and we have to get Ben ready for his CT week, so there is no reason I can't restart myself tomorrow.

Lisah -- So sorry that virus hit you Totally unfair! Thanks for reporting the troll. I hope you hang on to as much of your loss is possible. Those are numbers I only dream of

Rose -- It sounds like you don't have that much to do to be ready for the house, that is awesome! That means you will have time to relax and start to think about what you want to be when you grow up! Seriously, this is the perfect time to let your mind wander and think about what makes you happy. It is a little daunting, but you are a lucky ducky!

Nancy -- Ok, driving with a 2 yr. old for 2 hrs does not sound much better! You are a brave one! My Saturday is an 11M run, getting Ben ready for camp, and catching up on the new sci fi shows we didn't watch Monday night since we had company. Sunday Dennis is taking Ben to CT, and their leaving right after church which means I can't go. So disappointed That means I have the entire day just for me, since Dennis won't get home until about 6 pm...I plan to relax, watch some T&T, and read the newest Janet Evanovich. We picked it up from the library this week, and I am ready I also need to make my new workout schedule into the Fall, catch up on a bunch of laundry, and see what needs to be done to recover from the kids -- but I can do it in peace and quiet

Kathy -- We don't get out nearly as often as we intend to, either. Ben has been begging us to go the the MFA (Museum of Fine Arts) for ages. I am determined to make that happen later this summer. It takes having company for us to really make the rounds. We spend our weekends running and then running errands. It is easier as they get older -- they start to demand to see things and you feel so guilty you take them

Lindsay -- Ok, it's not wrong to be mad you didn't get paid the right amount or on time, that is just reasonable! And the money thing...one of the reasons Dennis and I don't fight much is we have enough that we can compromise and be happy with our choices. When I first had Ben, I literally had to spend my maternity leave finding another job because the one I had was not going to cover $800/mo for child care -- and we couldn't live without me bringing in a salary. We shopped the sales in multiple stores every week to buy our food, cutting our costs as much as we could. It was worth it, because we bought our condo when Ben was 7 mos. old, so he had a small backyard and we had room for him. We kept saving as much as we could, and bought our house when he was 3. We didn't start "vacationing" until Ben was 4, and we took our first trip to WDW -- and we mainly did that because I was so depressed after my mom passed, it was the only thing I could think of that might cheer me up. Well, we've vacationed a bit too much and now we have to face reality -- that's why I have to cut my trips back, and we are doing a staycation and being responsible by fixing our steps. It's not fun, but it is the right thing to do. We've pretty much paid off our debt other than the mortgage, and we're only taking trips we basically already have the money for -- hence my excitement that there's enough in our vacation fund for me to go to Princess. You may have to have a moment where you go over your spending plan with dh, and he has to show some buy in. Dennis handles all our money, but I know where it is, I know the budget for the month and each week, and it's easy to grasp that paying the mortgage comes before another shopping spree, no matter how much I might "need" something...Anyway, 'cause money is a toughie!

Lisa & Jude --

We're getting ready to leave for Patriot Place. It's a nice drive, and it will be fun to be out and about! It looks like the last touches are going on our steps today. We have to wait about a month for it to cure, and then they can add the wrought iron railing. I am going to be so happy to have them mostly done!

Everyone have a fabulous day!

Maria

 

[Rose&Mike]

Ok, did you all just hear me take a really deep breath...I have spent the morning researching places for DS to have more adhd testing since what the original guy did is not sufficient enough to transfer care to USC and he doesn't do any other testing. It was enough for our doctor to write a prescription but USC requires very specific tests and documentation--that you have to have done off campus. Uggh. Tom has called 4 or 5 places and left messages. If something doesn't get worked out by the beginning of next week he is going to start looking for a place in columbia to do the testing. What a royal pita this has all been! He will get another prescription from our pcp in a week or so, and hopefully I should be able to get another one at the end of August/begin of Sept. So we are good for a while. He does not take the meds every day.

After that I don't know if we will still be here so we are planning assuming we won't. After learning more about adhd and talking to Tom more he really does have every single symptom except for the impacting your academic ability one (not sure how it's worded). Actually he didn't have that one until this past year, and now it's a problem. It's funny cause the thought is adhd impairs you if you aren't working to your ability level. Well his grades last semester weren't horrid (3.0 I think) but it was not to the best of his ability. And I swear the kid just can't be still when he isn't taking the meds. He walks around the room constantly. It's exhausting. It's funny how the longer he's on the meds the more I'm noticing symptoms that he doesn't have when he's medicated.

I thought we were going to hang out this afternoon and do something fun but he's going out with the former girlfriend again. Oh well, pushed aside for a girl. I seriously might just take a nap, but I'll probably end up cleaning some more.

Lisa--feel better!

 

[flipflopmom]

You know those times when you just really want to withdraw from the world and be a hermit for a while? Well, I'm there. I've browsed some, and do have stuff to say, I'm interested and concerned. But, I just don't have communication in me right now. Lots of stuff going on, I think I am just finally taking the week of solitude that I usually do to chill after school is out that I didn't get to do this year. Still have 2 more papers to write, but don't even have that in me. I'm crashed in the recliner, eating fruit (sort of detoxing my diet to jumpstart it), playing word games on my phone and watching trash tv. I'll be back, I'm lurking!

 

[dumbo_buddy]

You know those times when you just really want to withdraw from the world and be a hermit for a while? Well, I'm there. I've browsed some, and do have stuff to say, I'm interested and concerned. But, I just don't have communication in me right now. Lots of stuff going on, I think I am just finally taking the week of solitude that I usually do to chill after school is out that I didn't get to do this year. Still have 2 more papers to write, but don't even have that in me. I'm crashed in the recliner, eating fruit (sort of detoxing my diet to jumpstart it), playing word games on my phone and watching trash tv. I'll be back, I'm lurking!

aw, hugs!!! i think most of the gals here on the BL princess board are pretty stressed out for different reasons. don't worry about keeping up but make sure to come back when you're ready!!

rose keep us posted with what you come up with for the testing for tom. so...what's the deal with the old girlfriend? think the flame is ignited again??

lindsay did your paycheck make it to the bank today? how FRUSTRATING!!!!!

maria i need some books to read. i'm just in a rut. can't find anything i want to read. tell me about janet evankovich. what is her first book called? is it a series? i just want something i can get into! i re-read the last harry potter because i want to go see the movie tomorrow morning (i have to go to the first showings around here or else the riff raff make movie-going horrible). but now that i'm finished with that i just can't seem to pick something out! wah! help!

lisah how are you feeling today? stomach bugs are horrible! i had that c.diff intestinal infection for pretty much the whole spring. kept my weight down but then as soon as i was properly medicated for it i gained about 10 lbs right away. darn stomach issues/pregnancy causing weight gain. 7lbs lost though?? sounds like a bad stomach bug! poor thing make sure to stay hydrated!!

kathy how thoughtful of that lady at work to schedule you to work extra so that she can take off and go on vacation. i love people sometimes, don't you??

****

i'm sitting on the couch now waiting for our chinese to be delivered. went to our beach in the morning and then the beach club in the afternoon. tough life, right?? still, i'm tired.

i'm planning on the 9:45am showing of harry potter tomorrow. thinking of getting a bagel and cream cheese to bring in with me with a coffee. or maybe a dunkin donuts breakfast sandwich....hmm...decisions decisions...and healthy ones too

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Nancy -- Janet Evanovich has written a series of books about an inept bounty hunter named Stephanie Plum and her interesting entourage, which includes her semi-crazy grandmother and Lula, a rather large former 'ho. They live in the Burg in New Jersey, and she waffles between Morelli, a cop, and Ranger, another much more successful bounty hunter and owner of Rangeman Security. They are mysteries with the slightest touch of romance, really it's more of a subplot when it occurs. The action is all around Stephanie's job, her wacky family, and the interesting characters she meets. They are quick and fun reads. The first book is called "One for the Money". I highly recommend them. I'm on "Smokin' Seventeen", and I can't wait to dive in!

Last evening with my niece...we're all up and at 'em early to get her to the airport and get me on the TM -- I'm not about to be running around the nhbd for 11 miles, I want to be close to whatever I might need...

Maria

 

[mommyof2Pirates]

Hello ladies!

Maria- Sounds like you had a great ending to your staycation.

Nancy- glad you perked up a bit. I love your beach pics. Dont laugh because I am horrible with geography but what body of water is that?? the hudson?

Lisa- I hope you feel better soon. wow 7lbs. I love the movie devil wears prada and the one assistant says "im one stomach virus away from a size 2" well I am many stomach virus away from a size 2 but I think that quote is hilarious.

Kathy- I hope you had a great day. I love your wrestling name. oh and I love the sparkle skirt, cowboy boots, and sparkly cowboy hat idea. I think you should send it in to WWE you never know....that might be your ticket to never ending disney vacation money.

Taryn- Hang in there and sometimes we all need that unwind time. Dont feel bad for just sitting back and relaxing and watching junk tv.

Rose- well I was going to say glad tom is at least getting out and doing things with his friends again but Im not sure how you feel about this exgirlfriend. What do you think about it? oh and the getting dissed for another girl thing. I dont even want to think about those days to come. I already told my boys that I will always be the #1 lady and that they need to make sure that there wives are ok with that otherwise they shouldnt marry them. and yes this is what I say to my 6 and 4 year old. Ofcourse I am joking. Anyway I hope all works out with finding testing. What exactly are they looking for Vanderbilt tests????

****************************************************

Ok well I did get my paycheck and I didnt have my raise so coincedentally I had a meeting with my boss today. It went well and I brought up this topic. He thought I was in range and therefore didnt increase my salary. He annoys me with this stuff...too busy to worry about little details such as my PAY CHECK!!!! Then I got our financials back for our fiscal year and our revenue actually bumps me into the next management tier which is actually the starting salary is thousands of dollars more than I am making now. So I emailed him asking him in my title can be changed and my salary adjusted to that level. Hes probably really loving me right now. The thing is I am confident that I am worth more and the salary that that level pays I feel is adequate and I would be happy. Even with my current increase I still feel very under compensated for the work and responsibility I have.

Anyway...the week is over and the good news is...I am going to the beach again tomorrow. This time to Seaside Heights,NJ where they film the Jersey Shore.

Its just going to be my parents me and the kids. Mike is staying home to do the outside yard work that is out of control. It was his choice but I feel bad. We are leaving at 630am so I just finished the laundry and now I need to get to bed.

Have a great day tomorrow. I will most likely post a pic to facebook. Which reminds me Maria and Taryn I need to become friends with you on facebook. Im just horrible at friends finding.

Good night all.

 

[Rose&Mike]

Taryn--hope your down time helps you recharge!

Nancy--have fun at Harry Potter!

Lindsay--another beach day! I am so jealous! I think the original psychiatrist relied too much on self-reporting because Tom is an adult, though he did go by dsm iv (???) standards. Our pcp was fine with his diagnosis. The university wants something different--I am assuming cause of the rampant abuse of adderall and ritalin on college campuses. I'm fine with that cause I really would like an official iq test done. (He topped out some unofficial tests that they did in school.) I think the original guy was a good starting point because he has adhd and it really made Tom feel ok about himself and Tom knows how he doesn't want to be when he grows up now--the guy had a few issues. Anyhow, he got Tom organized and explained to him why he had to do things a certain way, etc and that helped. But despite his initial claims he seems to rely heavily on medication. We are all now in agreement (Tom, our pcp, and Mike and I) that transferring care to campus is probably a good thing since we are so far from him. It will all work out, it's just a hassle sometimes! I have looked at symptoms of adhd for years, and now that I understand things a little better he has had symptoms his whole life. But it never really interfered with things too much. Some of the stuff I read said it's really not uncommon for really smart kids with adhd to hold it together until college and then things start to fall apart. Even through high school we were pretty strict with Tom's schedule--home by a certain time on week nights, no late night studying cause it triggered migraines. He always did homework on Sundays--but it was such an ordeal. He would get up every 5-10 minutes and walk around. He got distracted so easily. There could be no noise in the house, etc. But his grades were good and it was manageable. Anyhow, sorry for the book. I feel a little guilty we didn't deal with this earlier, but everyone keeps telling me he was doing ok earlier. Maybe I was just doing too much time management for him. He's handling everything really well--no drama yesterday when he found out about USC--which is such a positive thing. Actually a lot less drama period. So this is a good thing.

As for the gf--he keeps saying it's no big deal--she will be a freshman this year at Western KY I think. I did ask if she was 18 yet. She's a cute girl and I know her Mom from PTSA. He seems to be enjoying hanging out with her so I'm glad. We are going to have to have a little chat about no funny stuff when Mike and I are in Florida. Just look what you all have to look forward to.

Mike and I went out to dinner last night. Since we came back from WDW we have been out to dinner twice. We got Moe's take out a couple of times but that doesn't really count. Going out to dinner stresses me out. But there is a local restaurant that someone told us to try. On their menu they mark whether each item can be made g-f or not and when they bring the food out they tell you that the item is g-f so you know they got it right. It was so fun! I miss going out to eat. We shared a bibb salad with pears and pecorino (sp?) cheese and champagne dressing and I had a tomato and goat cheese sandwich on some kind or g-f flat bread with fabulous roasted potatoes. (I forgot to tell them to leave the chicken off, so I just picked it off and Mike took it home to eat today.) I am so over stressing about that kind of stuff. I am mostly vegetarian--that's the best I can do. I didn't eat most of the bread--which Mike thinks is so funny--but I could have ate if it I wanted to, that's the important part! I did eat most of the potatoes--they were so good! Then we shared chocolate creme brulee for dessert! It was fabulous! It was a perfect night out that I really, really needed.

Ok, enough slacking. Time to get up and clean something! I hope everyone has a great day!

Lisa--I hope you are feeling better!

 

[mikamah]

good morning, princesses!!

We are off to my sisters camp today, just for one night. It will be fun and relaxing. We try to get up there once during the summer if we can coordinate a weekend. It's a trailer, with beds, so easy packing. Just gotta throw pjs and an outfit for tomorrow in the bag, and swimsuits/towels sunsreen bugspray should do it. I do want to run or walk in the morning too since I slacked this week on the exercise. This week coming up, michael's camp is a few towns away run by the Y, so a bus will pick him up about 50 min before I have to be at work, so I'll have my morning coffee/dis time again. It worked out well to be my coaching week.

Rose-You seem more your happy self today, and I'm go glad for you. Sounds like a nice, much needed night out. I am not looking forward to ds and dating. Glad tom's friend is 18. My nephew is 20 and dating girl who will be a high school senior this fall, and it makes me nervous.

What will I be like when it's Michael? He's already looking at the girls. He came home tuesday from camp, and said, Brendan's sister Grace is pretty. He tells me she's older than him, but just a year because she's almost 11, and he's almost 10. Yah, in december. They were in camp together this week. The next day he said he has a crush on Grace, and he thinks she likes him too because she knows his name. Then yesterday, the last camp day, they have awards, and michael got the arts and crafts award, and he said Grace got the same award, and then he says, wouldn't it be cool, if I was to marry Grace in like 20 years, and we got the same award when we were kids. I think I'm going to be in trouble. It's cracking me up now, but what will he be like once those hormones kick in.

Lisa- How are you feeling today? Hope the gi bug has left the house, and you're all recovered, and enjoying a warm summer weekend in Idaho.

Lindsay- Good for you for sticking up for yourself and talking to your boss. Hope he knows how valuable you are to the company. Enjoy the beach.

Maria_ Good luck with the 11 miles today!! You can do it!!!

Nancy- I hope thomas is ok and doesn't have a stomach bug. I'm sorry, i think i just chuckled at the mess, and didn't say anything about the diarrhea. Hope you are both enjoying a warm sunny day without any problems.

Taryn- Hello there. I totally get the need to take a break. If you lurking, we miss you, but hope you're enjoying the summer and reenergizing.

Have a fabulous weekend!!

It's 11. Time to get my butt in gear.

 

[mommyof2Pirates]

Just quickly wanted to say hello.

Rose- Im glad you had a nice eve. out with mike last night and a great meal too. I dont even want to think about the whole girlfriend thing. Im glad tom is enjoying himself and that everyone is of age.

Kathy- I hope you had a great day at the camp. Sounds like lots of fun.

Hello to everyone!!!!!!

I just got home from a day at the beach. I have to say I did not enjoy seasides ocean as much as ocean city. The tide was very high today and the waves were very strong but the part I hated was that the area where the boys could stand was so full of broken shells it hurt our feet and then the waves would bring it all including sand in and smacking you in the legs. A few times I got knocked over and got drug up the beach. I had a huge wad of sand in my bathing suit between my legs and it looked like I went #2 in my pants. So disgusting. However when the boys went up to play in the sand I made my way past that area into the deeper part and it was very nice just floating through the waves. I still got taken under by a few but it was fine and very peaceful.

The boardwalk there I love. I usually try not to talk about horrible food I decide to eat but this can not be missed. I got fried pickles. The were those big dill pickles that you buy in a barrel. cut into 1/2 inch slices. battered with flour/egg/seasoned bread crumbs and then fried. I dipped them in ranch dressing and they were out of this world. Well worth every single calorie that I consumed. I may even dream about them tonight.

We also saw the jersey shore crew. They are currently taping for the next season. Now to most I would not admit that I watch this show but it truly is my guilty pleasure. My dad noticed the commotion by the go carts across the street from where we were eating dinner so I walked over and there was the gang waiting to ride. I got a good pic. Then when they finished they walked right past where we were eating. I saw them eating dinner in one of the resturaunts. The when we were getting ice cream one of the guys walked by with his date. Its amazing that they just act like no one is around them but really there are at least 100 people following them I am not kidding. There are about 5 or 6 cameras and then about 5 security gaurds and seaside police officers.

So even though I love the boardwalk there I still preferred ocean city, NJ. It just has more of a classy family atmosphere.

I think this is probably it for my trips to the beach this year. I really enjoyed them and it has been a great break from reality.

Hopefully the kids will sleep in tomorrow....I know they are beat.

Tomorrows agenda is to go to sportsfest and catch some sporting activities. We are going to take the boys to watch the WXW wrestling. I fear this will only encourage there flying elbows that they have been doing lately off of my sofa but my husband won the battle so we are going to go.

I hope you all are having a wonderful weekend. Talk to you tomorrow.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Good Morning, and !

I have to get the fellas up in a few minutes to get them ready for church. Since Dennis may have to drive to CT (they think they may have enough room without him), I can't go with them because they have to leave right after the service. I should be sadder about this than I am But, that means I have to say goodbye to Ben soon.

Lindsay -- Wow, that must be kind of weird to just happen upon filming a tv show, with people kind of all over. They film a lot of movies around here and we see things from a distance, but I don't think I've ever really been close enough to recognize the cast. Your beach day sounds...well, beachy! I was so surprised when I went to St. Pete Beach last fall, and under the water the floor of the ocean was all these shells. I expected it to just be smooth sand. Dennis had a similar shock when we were first married and went on a float trip on a river in Missouri. I insisted we bring water shoes, he thought I was crazy. Then he stepped on the river bed and it was all rocks instead of the sand he expected.

Kathy -- I hope you have a great time at your sister's camp! It's nice to just get away even for one night. Dennis asked me this week if I wanted to stay another night in Providence before the race. I jumped on it! So, we can travel down Friday instead of Saturday, I'll be able to be more "in place". I know it's only a short drive, but it will feel more like a break this way. Ah, that testosterone...yep, enjoy this time while you can!

Rose -- I can't imagine what you are going through with Tom, that is so much to try to get settled for him, and yet try to let him have his independence...I'm sure you will be able to work the testing and meds out. I totally get when you aren't thrilled to leave him with an empty house and the gf, too Yep, good to make sure everyone is a legal adult...I now get why you don't go out to dinner much. The g-f thing is so complicated I hope you are looking forward to your FL trip. I know there will be stress, but it is the good kind!

Taryn -- There are times when I just lurk, too, you probably remember them Sometimes you just need to read and absorb rather than comment, and that's ok

Lisah -- How are you feeling? I hope much, much better. Did you start the training group? You are a running machine these days! Those 7 lbs you lost showed up on my scale, so I have my work cut out for me I think a lot of it will go quickly because it's from not as much exercise or water and a ton of junk food.

Nancy -- How are you feeling? I'm sure BronxBaby is starting to take up some space I admit I had to laugh at Thomas in the tub, but I hope he wasn't actually starting a little illness. I know it was anything but funny at the time, but little kids are just such basic humans -- you have to enjoy them.

Lisa -- And how is your training going? I bet your kids are keeping you hopping!

Yesterday went really well. I got up and we got Dennis and my niece off. She's travelling as an unaccompanied minor, so Dennis had to wait until her plane took off to leave the airport. Anyway, while he took care of that I got on the TM. I did my 11M, and it wasn't too bad. It was a little warm, and I started to get really wanting to be done after 9M, but I was determined to make it work. I'm a little sore today, but not too bad. The rest of the day we worked on packing Ben, doing some laundry, and catching up on my Tivo. I also was able to go to the Hallmark to pick up my ornaments. Now I'll rack up more points for my next reward certificate to use at the October event. I still have 8 ornaments I need to buy -- and some of them are even for other people

Ben is in the shower and I have to get Dennis moving. The plan for today is to do more laundry and bang off more items on my general list, while also taking time for at home mani/pedi, facial, and relaxing with my magazine pile. I still haven't finished my closet (although it is much better), and I need to make a new workout schedule, organize a few drawers, and finally get the clothes pile ready for the Salvation Army. My radiator is overflowing with items to donate. If I get most of the items done from that list, I will be satisfied.

Everyone have a fabulous Sunday!

Maria

 

[lisah0711]

Good morning Princesses and Belles!

Taryn, hope that you are getting rested and feeling better. I think everyone needs to check out from the world every once in awhile. Keep reading along and we will all be here for you when you are ready to jump back in!

Lindsay, glad that you had a good time at the beach! Did you come home to a perfectly groomed yard? Or did Mike just need some alone time? Enjoy that big wrestle-mania event that you are going to today. Hope that your furniture holds up this week while all the good stuff is renacted -- and that the wrestlers are okay, too.

I'm glad that you had that meeting and discussion with your boss. You have a lot of responsibility and should be paid accordingly. Be sure and save those revenue reports and the information about your various presentations in your "atta girl" file so you can refer to them when you need to show tangible examples of how you've benefitted the company. The saving the day and keeping the revenue stream going in the face of carpet glue is a good one. I used to have trouble remembering all the great things I did if I didn't keep a folder.

Rose, I'm glad that you are able to get things set up in SC for Tom (even if it is a bit of a hassle at first). It lets him be in change -- which is what he wants and needs -- plus you are going to get more info!

I'm not looking forward to the girlfriend thing. There were a few rumblings at the end of the year but since DS' school doesn't allow PDAs of any kind it doesn't seem to get too far until you get to high school. I don't blame you for wanting to have a talk about when the house is empty. A birth control reminder wouldn't hurt -- hey, you embarassing yourselves anyway! Can't they just have sex in the car like we (well maybe not you ) used to?

Krazy Kowgirl Kathy, hope that you are having fun in New Hampshire and had a lovely run this morning.

Hopefully Grace will go to another camp for the next few weeks and will be but a distant memory of a sweet summer craft romance! Michael is such a sweet guy, you know he will go totally head over heels when it happens.

I don't blame you for being nervous about your nephew. One of my client's sons was dating a high school girl who was under 18. The Mom knew all about the relations but, of course, when there was a fuss, she reported it to the police and now the kid had a statutory rape conviction on his record, as an adult that will stay there forever.

Nancy, hope that Thomas is feeling better now! Everyone has those crazy poop stories. We had the tub thing and also a memorable one where it shot all over the dresser, changing pad and even lamp in the middle of the night. Good times, good times!

Maria gave you a great description of Janet Evanovich and her Stephanie Plum books. I started the series with Ten Big Ones when I was on vacation -- I'm just reading it again this week actually. It is one of the funniest ones. I liked it so much I went out and got eleven, even though it was only in hardback, which I never do. I always wait for the paperback. I think the later ones are the better ones.

There is also the Joanna Fluke murder mysteries set. They all have food names like Apple Pie Murder. I think of that heroine Hannah Swensen as the cleaner, midwestern version of Stephanie Plum. She has two men in her life, too, but it never goes anywhere. Be warned that Hannah owns a cookie store and is always baking and has recipes in her book. I'm never inspired to suddenly make things from scratch on the spur of the moment and especially because I usually read these books when I am in Iowa and it's too dang hot. Another one of the "family reads."

Maria, how was your 11 miles yesterday? Hope it went well and you are feeling ready for your half soon! It will be here before you know it! Have they told you who any of the bands are going to be? I guess there is one every mile so that should be entertaining -- even if they stink. I was interested to read that the Rock n' Roll has several levels of medals if you do multiple RnR marathons through the year. Something to shoot for after that coast to coast medal!

I am recovered for the most part from my stomach bug and my weight went back to the same number I've been stuck at for three weeks. Well, I haven't actually be stuck at it for three weeks. I have it for my weigh in, eat too much over the week-end and gain a few pounds, work like crazy and get back to the weigh in number and repeat again! I'm breaking that cycle this week-end.

Yesterday was my first run with my training group. The beginners group went 1 mile with the coach with the jogging stroller and baby. I thought of you Nancy. Our group went out for three to seven miles -- your choice -- and if you wanted to do intervals they were doing 4/1. But you could do slower intervals if you wanted. So the group went out and started running right away -- you people run to warm up? And I did my own thing and was perfectly happy. I knew where they were going and had my new Run Keeper so it worked out fine. I saw they in various groups as they came back and at the end in the store when in for water and they had a really tasty electrolyte drink. I thanked the coach for letting me do it at my own pace. I would have been miserable trying to catch up or holding people back. And it was hot -- like in the 70's -- so I was in my perfect Galloway recommended pace, had a good run and am all ready for hills on Tuesday!

Oh and all the hardcore Ironman folks were not there cause they were doing a little tri at Hayden Lake. I really respect and admire those guys but they are a little intimidating, not to mention some can be a tad arrogant, or maybe that is me in my insecurity. Going to work in the yard this morning and do a little laundry this afternoon and take it easy.

Hello to all our other princesses and belles!

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Forgot to mention I'm wearing my new Lands End purple polka dot tankini -- one size smaller than last year on top and bottom! Ok, it would look better 7 lbs lighter, but it's still comfortable and fits ok...and the purple polka dots make me happy!

Maria

 

[lisah0711]

Ah, Princess Maria, we were posting at the same time.

Glad that you had a good run yesterday and way to push through those last couple of miles.

Here's an extra for you for saying good-bye to Ben for camp. I'm sure that he will have a wonderful time.

Are you and Dennis going to do anything special since you are empty-nesters this week? I noticed that you went to Victoria's Secret earlier this week!

And don't worry about that 7 pounds -- quite a bit of it has found it's way back already!

Enjoy your relaxing day!

 

[Rose&Mike]

Icing my knees and ankle....The knees aren't bad but the ankle hurts like crazy when I ice it. I can only leave it on for about a minute at a time.

Maria--enjoy your camp week. Tom started going to camp at the end of sixth grade. It was really hard at first, but once we got used to we really enjoyed away camp! Great job on getting in those 11 miles! Yep, eating out is not so fun, but at least we have a couple of places to go now. You sound like you have a great day planned!

Lisa--glad you are feeling better. That's horrible about your client's son. It's becoming a big concern which is really sad. I have been saying that to Tom for years--you have to ask how old they are. This girl is out of high school, so I figured she was 18 and I think the age of consent here is 16, but still. And there probably is nothing going on......I will say every once in a while stuff like--no surprises, no accidents, do you need dad to go to the drug store for you. He usually roles his eyes and asks me if we really need to be having this conversation.

Kathy--hope you are having fun with your sister! Cute story about Michael.

Lindsay--I love fried pickles! Well, I used to love fried pickles. They have fried dill pickles at buffalo wild wings. They are sliced in rings--so yummy! I would totally consider cheating on them--though I wouldn't actually do it, but I would consider it!

Nancy--I hope Thomas is doing better.

******
We had a really productive day yesterday. We cleaned all the windows and put a piece of painters tape on all the ones that need a section replaced. If I were staying here I would just get new windows, but I think this will cost half what new windows would cost to put in (maybe less) and be a lot less hassle. I rearranged some of the stuff she wanted me to rearrange and got a couple more bags for good will. If someone called me to show the house today I could have it ready to go in about an hour. It's not perfect yet--we have some painting to do--but it's getting there.

I also have been trading pm's with a dis'er who lives in Melbourne. I am so glad I contacted her. She had a lot of really good input and gave me the name of a different real estate agent who I'm going to contact today. Mike has not been thrilled with the responses we've been getting from the other one. We told our neighbor what was going on--she actually figured it out cause we have been putting so much trash out and hauling so much stuff to good will. Mike wants me to go ahead and tell my boss tomorrow and let the chips fall where they fall. Louisville is such a small town in that if one person knows something everybody knows something. I still don't know what I'm going to do, but it would take some of the pressure off me. I think that's part of the reason I am sleeping so poorly. I really don't like disappointing people and I will do anything to avoid conflict. We'll see.

We ran 6 miles this morning and it was hard! It was hot and my workout on Friday just wore my legs out. My legs were fatigued from the first step. But I finished and I was happy. We actually ran hard the last .4 (we call the last .4 running to the bench--long story). Anyhow, I was sub 8 when we finished--so I'm happy that I could pull it off despite being beat.

Ok, time to make breakfast. We bought gluten free bagels to try. I'm going to make an egg and cheese sandwich.

Have a great day!

 

[Rose&Mike]

I am so TIRED OF CLEANING!!!!!!!

Mike's been working on re-caulking and painting windowsills and I have been working in the kitchen. All of the cabinets are cleaned out, the countertops scrubbed and decluttered. The sink scrubbed. I've started on cleaning the appliances and I need to clean the outside of the cabinets. And I still need to do the fridge. I did the pantry yesterday.

I've realized something over the past few days. I was really sick this spring before I finally went g-f. It came on so gradually that I didn't know it had really gotten that bad. But I never would have had the energy to do what I've done over the last couple of weeks. And except for running I had really stopped doing anything I liked to do--I wasn't sewing or knitting or painting or doing anything. And our house was never horribly bad, but we really put off doing a lot of stuff that should have been done a long time ago. It makes me a little sad and scares me a little, but I am so glad that I feel better!

Nancy--where you been??? I hope everything is ok!

Time to get back to work!