QOTD: I would have to pick swimming pool. I have horrible phobia about water I cannot see bottom of. It is all JAWS fault. I saw that on big screen when I was little girl and was scared for life. Every time I have even ventured close to water, a shark appears. Just moved to Jacksonville, FL a few months ago and what happens??? A shark attack on the local beach. I swear they are out to get me. I used to be able to handle rivers and lakes until I found out bull sharks can go into fresh water

When I went to Universal Studios a few years back we were on the studio tour. It got to the JAWS part and guess who the shark came up in front off my worst nightmare come to life. You never seen me jump so fast and so far.
YIKES!
Ugh After an amazing start last week, I can't get 2 good days in a row this week. Had a stellar day yesterday with good eating and great workout and then today just could not get myself away from eating eating eating. Have eaten more than double my daily calorie allotment according to MFP. Seems that one false move today led to a landslide.
BUT I will get back on tomorrow and let this day be a hiccough not a derailing.
I will look at the positive side in that I honestly kept track and was able to see what I did so I can learn from it rather than just try to ignore it. AND tomorrow is a new day where I can start fresh. 1 really bad day wont hurt too bad but 2 in a row is a definite no no for me.
Back on the wagon.......
Christopher
Christopher.... I love your positive attitude and that you are putting yourself FIRMLY back on the wagon today!! THat is the way to be successful with this!
I enjoy water and grew up on the Y swim team starting at age 6. I enjoy being in pools the most. I like laying around the beach but only go in the ocean a bit. I want to be able to see my toes. As soon as I can't, I start to panic. I never go in lakes and I enjoy rafting and kayaking on rivers, but won't go in them. I think as I got older and starting thinking about what's in the water, I decided I didn't need to get in
Have you thanked your Mother for all the time she spent driving you when you were on that Y swim team???
I'll take anything! I'm not picky...but my kids are

Thanks for offering to do this. I check the recipe thread every now & then, but haven't been on for awhile. I think I'll head over and check it out.
I've got a few recipes there that I might pull over here for a repeat performance! I'll be posting today's recipe shortly!
Archery camp was a success. DS9 was so excited to hit the targets and even hit a balloon. Tomorrow they shoot at 3d targets. Then they get to try to hit marked targets to win candy and money! I'm glad he loves this, but I wish I could find some place closer to us. DS9 also got into the orthodontist and they put on a thicker wire, so hopefully it won't pop out again anytime soon.
DS6 and I hit up Target while DS9 was at camp. We only get to Target once a month (if that) since the closest is about 20-25 minutes away. I was so excited to buy a pair of shorts a size smaller! Whoohoo!
The rest of today will be spent loading up my car/wagon/minivan (Chrylser Pacifica...I don't know what it is lol) and taking garage sale stuff to my mom's. I'm hoping to take everything else tonight. I'm also hoping DH will keep the boys at home with him while I stay at my mom's to finish pricing a few things and organizing. My poor boys have been dragged all over the last week and would probably love to have a daddy day.
Tomorrow we have archery camp and then back home to sign the boys up for our summer park camp (6 week program). They are pretty excited and this will be their first year. DS9 just said it will be so nice to be with his friends and kids his own age and not with his little brother all the time. I am hoping this camp will reduce any bickering that occurs between them since they will not be together 24/7 all summer long.
I guess I'm going to start hauling stuff down from our 3rd floor so DH can start loading it up when he gets home any minute now. I hope to check back later. Have a great day!
Jill
Best of luck with the yard sale and hopefully the boys have a GREAT summer at camp!
Izzie Update: We went to see our PCP this morning. Got in at 9:40 this morning. Ear is looking much better. He put her on an antibiotic to be on the safe side saying it would also help with any blood that may still be in the ear area. She was so happy to get the tape and gauze off of her face and hair. We will go back one more time to see our PCP before our vacation to do one more check. Can't miss work tomorrow so that's why I didn't make appt with surgeon. I know our PCP well and if he saw a problem we would have been sent to someone else right away. We went shopping with my parents the rest of the morning and early afternoon and then picked up Ash. She's going to dancing but only watching today. It is the last class before dress rehearsal for the recital so the director of the centre wants her there to at least watch and see how the finale is being done since she missed last week. I was perfectly fine with that and I agreed!
Heading out shortly. I just rubbed 4 pork butts for pulled pork for the next few nights. We can have it on pizza, in wraps or on buns or on nachos. I'm hoping I have all the food we need until we go away. I bought lots of quick things. If time I will hop on the elliptical tonight. I might put one in the crock pot tonight and then another one in the morning before I leave for work.
Have a great night!
TTFN
Glad to hear DD's ear will be better for your trip! The pork sounds good.... I need to plan that for our menu next week.
My latest Sparkpeople blog:
It was much easier just to copy and paste then to write the entire thing out again.
Hoping to do some strength training today but other then that nothing else really going on. I've been on an emotional high since this morning. We're having steaks for dinner (spent 100 bucks at Schwans on food). I also ordered their single microwavable brownies that I want to try for dessert.
Now, I'm off to make some replies
Great!! YOu are moving in the RIGHT direction!
I cannot wait for school to be out. DS2 has 2 more days and I only have 1 day I could sub (but nobody misses the last day of school--so I am considering myself free!) DS1 graduated Friday and although it rained the entire ceremony, it was still good. I survived the all night party and he said it was a lot of fun. High praise from a teenager!
I am doing just all right this challenge. Too many parties with too much junk food over the weekend. But now everything is eaten so off to better choices. Got my 3 mile walk in with my girlfriend--and another one who's been out of town for months was back. Those miles just flew by! Hope to get a run in tonight. I've been pretty much hit or miss (mostly miss) for the last 6 weeks or so.
Gotta run.

to those who need it. I'll be reading.
Nice to hear from you. Our elementary and middle schools have 4 days left (not including today) and I'm pretty sure I won't be called again, so I am also considering myself FREE!
I've been keeping up with all of the posts but haven't had time to post myself. Life has been crazy with the show getting ready to close, the tony awards last night and trying to find a new job. I've put some feelers out and gotten two responses! The industry is really small so two is amazing. One was from a supervisor who will need people in July and one was from another wardrober with advice. I want to switch from theatre to flim this summer because the hours are better and no one in theatre has any openings until september. I'm wearing a fit media band so while I haven't been able to workout as much as I would like at least I can make sure I have a calorie deficit everyday. Two more weeks and everything should calm down.
WOOHOO on the job possibilities. Your career sounds so exciting!
Hey guys, sorry I have been MIA.
Well echo show my DD still has a PFO...for those of you non-medical folks it means the hole between the 2 upper chambers of her heart that is supposed to be there while still a fetus and close soon after you are born, never closed once she was born.
Have some follow-ups todo with a pediatric cardiologist but typically they don't do anything with it. They do have her taking a baby aspirin every day but that is it for now unless she continues to have fainting spells. We saw our doc today and he said everything else looks good, not concerned about her having a stroke but keep her on the aspirin for now.
Glad to hear that they aren't more concerned. DS had something similar when he was born and we had to follow it pretty closely for a number of years, but other than a small murmur, he is 100% now. Hopefully she will continue to heal up.
It must have been so scary for you. Hope you are okay.
Long weekend with baseball but did pretty good tracking....not much exercise outside of the 60 trips up and down out stairs doing laundry and a little pool time (well I floated on a raft mostly

)
Have a TON of reading to catch up on
Our pool is open and ready, but the weather isn't cooperating! DS went in once shortly before Memorial day, but it was COLD!
Jill, Pam, and Linda thanks for the kind words about the decorations. I worked really hard on them and I did make them so we can break them down and use them again. Hopefully they will last at least until DS11 is done bowling for the middle school.
Buy a good strong plastic bin and store them in that so they don't get squished or damp! They are too nice to ruin!
Pamela If you could come up with something for lunch that would be a great menu item. I need to save $$ so I told the kids one lunch out every 2 weeks, and I'm not making 5 different meals. We will make the same thing for everyone. So that would be an awesome start!!
Welll today's recipe could be lunch or dinner.... and most of it can be made ahead.
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Not so hot here today. I am over my calories and yet to have dinner. Curse you Five Guys for being so good!!! I really wish the had a vegetarian option besides a veggie sandwich. Or turkey burgers, geez throw a girl a bone every once in a while!
I agree with you 100% I HATE that they don't have ANY kind of decent "light' option!!! I've been known to bring in a salad from Wendy's when DS has requested to eat there. Keeping a stash of frozen veggie patties wouldn't be so difficult, would it??? Boca burgers, MSF, or Gardenburgers.... any of them would be fine! In fact, DS may be requesting that on Thursday night as his "graduation" meal and I'm definitely not sure what I will eat!
But I'm not going to eat dinner. I don't feel hungry so I'm just going to drink my water and go to bed. I'd rather be pretty hungry tomorrow morning and eat a good breakfast than eat now and then convince myself I need to eat breakfast even though I don't feel hungry.
With the walking around I did today, I will come out under calorie for the day but just barely.
I hate going to bed hungry, but I do it more often than I would like. I try HARD to remember that rule about not eating after 7 or 8 pm or not eating within 3 hours of going to bed.... but it is TOUGH! Sunday night we didn't finish dinner until 9:25 pm!! That was unusually late for us (baseball game night), but it isn't so unusual for us to eat at 7 or 8 pm to try and get to eat a family meal together on a swim day/night.
That said, I don't find that I am any hungrier in the morning than usual. I am ALWAYS hungry in the morning!
The WISH Biggest Loser "Sizzlin' Hot" Summer 2012 Challenge Week 1 Superstars!!
#10 - 1.26% - minandmick
#9 - 1.31% - Holly324
#8 - 1.32% - 6ofus2
#7 - 1.33% - Twingle
#6 - 1.49% - 4holidays
#5 - 1.56% - thunderbird1
#4 - 2.03% - disappearing otter
#3 - 2.92% - LovingDisney2012
#2 - 3.36% - ougrad86
and now
The WISH Biggest Loser "Sizzlin' Hot" Summer 2012 Challenge Week 1 Biggest Loser is:
#1 - 4.19% - D73
Great job to Christopher and all our lovely losers!!
Got 3 massages tomorrow morning and 20 more to go after that! My days off are going to be very needed. I was excited to get my favorite foot massage lotion today at BB&B and be able to use my 20% off! I need to get to Trader Joe's and get my lavender oil on Wednesday if I have time and order my regular oil tonight.
Started helping my DH clean out his office downstairs. He was doing bills while I tried organizing some things for him. Threw out a few old phones and such.
I"m cleaning up a bit around DH's home office space today while he is away. It is ICKY and DUSTY and just plain ewwww! Kind of makes me wish he still commuted to the office!
We got our Universal tickets today and I realized that Brian ordered 2 child tickets and Ash no longer qualifies as a child, actually hasn't for 2 years. OOPS! We'll just upgrade when we get there. I also transferred our reward points over to our rewards card so that's also taken care of. I'm really starting to feel more excitement today now that I know that Izzie is going to be ok.
Took her 2nd dose of meds tonight and she put a cold compress on her ear for 15 minutes. I think that did some good.
Time to put those pork butts in the crock pot so they will be done in the morning and I can start the next ones in the morning!
TTFN
Get those butts cooking!
II did have a pretty good week- I lost a pound! And it was week two of my training. I did my four-mile run in just under 51:00- a lot less than I thought it would take me!! Plus, I realized this afterwards: I wasn't nearly as tired and worn out as I was after my first 5K, which was just this past February. After that race, I went out for some breakfast with my dad and came home and passed out for the rest of the day. But this past Sunday (I did my run a day late

) I went for coffee with some friends, went home and showered, and then hosted a meetup! The best feeling wasn't the finishing, it was the feeling good after. This Saturday I just do three miles....which at this point will be nothing
PS: Congrats
Christopher!!!!!
Great job with the 1 pound and with the runs!!
The countdown to vacation is really on! We drive out a week from Friday. I'm killing it at work, trying to get so much stuff done before I go so I won't have it hanging over my head when I get back. Tomorrow is my commute day, and it'll be a busy one. But then I get to go to the private opening of a new Athleta store! I *love* Athleta - I live in sundresses in the summer, and I really like their run tops, among other things. So I'll be happy to have them pass me a cocktail while I get to shop their stuff in person instead of online!
XO
Liz
DD and I just recently discovered Athleta and their beautiful stuff.... but it is kind of pricey for workout gear. Do they ever run sales/clearance/specials??
WOOHOO on vacation count down!
Hey regs and new people I haven't met yet. Will officially join tomorrow just saying hi. Not even going to try to catch up on 38 pages! I only have one kitten left of the original litter I took and he's 5 weeks today and went poo in the box last night the first time and now is going wild on it lol. I took in another litter that was 2 weeks old, found them a Mom to nurse on and kept the best eater of the lot as a friend for Triumph. She's a week younger than him but when the playing really kicks in that won't really matter. I know I've gained weight though, I've hardly worked out between feedings so I've been biking about once a week to work as it's only a 1/2 hour difference in commute time (a 1/2 hour roughly to and from)
Fortunately my work started a step counting thing so I've been a little motivated anyway. While stuck home with the kittens I found HBO had true Blood-- the whole series so I started watching that and was instantly hooked lol. Long story short-- I'm Susan, I'm 44, work at a grocery store in Eugene Oregon and am a constant emotional basket case. I lost 50 pounds a year or so ago and since then have gained about 20 back. The last challenge I at least managed to maintain so I guess I'll try again...I'll take some pictures tomorrow of the babies since I still don't know how to get them off my Iphone...I know-- it's probably really easy...Li'l boy (Triumph) is extremely cute white medium hair with orange patches, head and tail, li'l girl (Shasta) is long hair black, white paws, belly and under chin. She's very quiet and gentle-- he's-- well-- a boy.
Nice to see you back again!
Good Tuesday morning everyone.
It promises to be a long and challenging day. Exams today. I know that a couple of students are coming because they have to catch a bus ao they need someplace to sit for an exam period.
Nice of you to be there for them.
Then I have to go to a friend's house for our end of the year math dept party. Then a meeting for the summer courses I am teaching and then a barbque that got postponed last week. I am supposed to get an award for my popcorn work for Boy Scouts.
Enjoy the party and the award!
Question of the Day
This is MacKenzie. She is my ds1's dog but she spends a lot of time with us since ds lives with us.
In 6 months we will be going into to winter. Which season is your favorite? Is it easier for you to lose weight during a certain season? If so which one?
Favorite season: By far, summer! I would say fall but I spend the entire FALL season dreading what is coming next!
Easier to lose weight?? I haven't really found any one particular season easier to lose weight in. They all have their challenges and benefits. Spring and fall... nice weather for exercising.... summer has fresh fruits and lots of bathing suit time to keep me motivated. Winter keeps me busy with school and swim and (formerly) robotics, so I stay active and away from the cupboards. But of course.... winter has holiday eating, fall has T.giving eating and Halloween treats, Spring has questionable and changing weather plus Easter goodies.... Summer has July 4th parties and bbq plus lots of celebration/party eating! There is ALWAYS something!
I think I like Autumn the best. I start looking forward to Fall activities like exploring pumpkin patches, redecorating in warm colors, looking up crafty ideas to do with kids. Oh and making anything I can with pumpkin (BTW pumpkin chili not a good idea) Is kinda funny right now. My internal time clock says it is time for Autumn. I have been in Sunny Florida for 3 months now. For me it has already been Summer, I keep forgetting it hasn't even started because I have been warm. Not used to that. I keep having to readjust my thinking. I also might just have to make something with pumkin to get that craving off my mind
Chuckling to myself about the pumpkin chili idea! Sounds like something I would come up with! I love pumpkin and have made myself many different pumpkin things.... but DS is HIGHLY allergic, so I have to be very careful. I've made pumpkin oatmeal (tasty), pumpkin breakfast cookies, pumpkin pancakes (yummy). I would like to try making a pumpkin soup.
Good morning losers
Spring is definitely my favorite and Summer after that. I love the Fall temps but it always feels a little sad to me, end of Summer, Winter is coming, back to school, etc. Winter least favorite. I've lost weight in all seasons but it does seem like Summer is the hardest for some reason

Will try to prove that wrong this year!!
Can't believe how many people do not enjoy being in water (yesterday's QOTD) Love how we are all so different
I was surprised at that too!!
Hi Pamela! Job is going well. Sure takes up a lot of time

I'm tired every day after work too and need time to "recuperate". Hopefully getting the weight off will give me more energy. Already enjoying your posts!
Thanks... and I'm glad the job is going well! I can't IMAGINE going back to full-time work!
Shawn
So happy that you are back with us!
You can buy replacements for the Gypsy if you really need it.
Did you know we have a scrapbook section here on the DIS? That's where I moderate.
Trying to bring her to the dark side, are you??
Thanks for the kind words on the centerpieces. Labor of love.
Question of the Day
In 6 months we will be going into to winter. Which season is your favorite? Is it easier for you to lose weight during a certain season? If so which one?
My favorite is Fall. I love sweaters, crisp air, crunchy leaves, the glorious colors! Everything about Fall, especially living here in New England.
Quote of the day
If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies
since we are talking about Seasons and how they are so different and change. This Quote is fitting.
Another lovely quote! And I have had an absolute TON of butterflies around my yard lately! I keep missing with the camera though.
Pamela, please add the chick pea salad to the list of recipes to share!
Sad to admit that I didn't make it from scratch (although I have definitely made something like it before). It was store-bought. I had grabbed it when racing through the grocery store salad bar area on Sunday. It was Cedar's brand all natural "Chickpea salad". It had chick peas (of course) plus dried cranberries, edamame, carrots and pepper (tiny bit) with an oil and vinegar dressing (sweetish).
BRB a little run in with the poof fairy and the smilie police today -- I'm on a roll!
I know the feeling!
I am very excited because I get a little bonus solo trip to DL in July. I grew up on a street with over 50 kids and they are having their first ever reunion. Some of the people still live there almost 50 years later!

I knew that would be something that I would regret if I didn't go so I managed to make it happen. And, of course, I will get to spend a couple of days at
Disneyland. When I was growing up my summer curfew was when the fireworks were over at Disneyland at 9 p.m.
I had an OP day and a good whoosh today. Hoping to hang onto it for Friday!
Lucky little girl! And nice job on the OP day and the whoosh!
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Happy Tuesday friends! Well... FINALLY the sun has peeked through here! I did hang a load on the line even though it looked like rain earlier. DS's class field trip to the beach today has been saved!!

Hope they are enjoying it and hope they remember the sunscreen now that the sun has popped out!
As I mentioned earlier, I got most of my chores done BEFORE popping over here, so I am a bit behind my usual schedule. Let's call it my "summer schedule"!
DMIL's scrapbook is coming along slowly. It WILL get done... but I'm really starting to hate the project.
Okay.... off to post that recipe! TTYL..................P