Laurie's journal - Atkins plan (comments welcome)

[LAinSEA]

Friday meals - on plan (a little over due to the breve I had on the way to work...) - I had leftover pork tenderloin as my main protein for the day. Work went fairly well for the first day back. I was glad that I was working with Charlie instead of Larry aka "mr. negativity". DH has a fairly good chance of getting a job with the school district my parents work in. It would be just a 210 day contract doing computer support. Anything would be good right now.

Saturday am - woke to the sound of lawn mowers. (DH fertilized right before we left on vacation and the lawn had grown at least 6-8 inches during the 6 days we were gone.) We had so much rain yesterday that DH didn't attempt trying to mow, so since it wasn't yet raining this morning I hauled myself out of bed and got on it. It took me almost an hour - lots of heavy damp grass. Very green - but way too long! I then tried to get my walk in while DH fixed me some food to take into work - I almost made the whole circuit before the clouds opened up and it just poured! I was completely soaked within 5 minutes of home and cut the walk short.

Picked up a breve on the way to work (yeah, I know - get back off the caffeine - again). DH put in a little more of the pork tenderloin along with some sauted garlic shrimp for later.

Got on the scale this morning...I'm still at 163 - no loss, no gain after not getting in a daily walk for 6 days and eating more carbs than I should. I'm satisfied for now. Still have 2 more to go for the Independence day challenge.

 

[wilderness01]

I know you are in Washington, but do you ever go down to the Rose Festival in Portland? We went and it was pretty nice.

 

[LAinSEA]

Wilderness:
I actually marched in the Rose Parade when I was in high school twice. I played piccolo in marching band the first time and was on drill team the second (we danced down the street in front of the band.)

DH and I haven't been down for the festival since, but really enjoy going down to the zoo and the botanical gardens in summer to see the flowers. (We order our roses for our garden from Edmunds - they are just outside of Portland I believe.) Portland is a really beautiful city and has some really great wine bars in town too. We are trying to plan for a "weekend" to visit some of the Willamette wineries - there are a lot of them open to the public now. Problem is my "weekends" are Sunday-Tuesday now and many are not open Mondays. Oregon's Pino Noir & Pino Gris/Grigio are excellent! Best I've ever tasted and very reasonable compared to California's.

My hometown now, Puyallup, has a floral parade too - Daffodil Festival...funny thing is that most years the daffodil's are done blooming in the fields a few weeks before the festival...all the flowers for the floats are forced in hothouses to be ready at the right time. We still have a few bulb growers down in the valley from our home...makes it really convenient to pick up fresh flowers in the springtime.

I'm so happy we are almost done for the night...I have a trainee tonight and I've been really really bored. Hopefully the weather will improve over the "weekend" and I can get some gardening done...

 

[wilderness01]

That is cool you marched in the Rose Festival. I agree Portland is a pretty city. And clean too. I really liked it there. When we lived there we lived on the coast. Lots and lots of rain all the time! Actually we got used to it. It certainly was pretty there. Have a great Memorial Day.

 

[DoeWDW]

Laurie, I'm so glad to hear that your trip went well. It sounds so relaxing to walk around looking for wildlife! Watching all those animals must have been just amazing!

Glad to hear Jeff may be working again soon, but that may cut into your gourmet lc food that he makes for you to take to work! These are the sacrifices we must make.

and

 

[LAinSEA]

The Weekend (almost a Weakend):

Our really close friend from High School & College, John, finally has a woman in his life. We got to meet her on Monday and went out to lunch and an early movie. Thai food (I did good except for 2 T of white rice to go with the curry and a Thai ice tea - super sweet and way too many carbs) and some popcorn at the theatre. We saw Troy. John's GF is really nice and we had a great time with her. (His sister and father having been real welcoming, however.) The plan is that she will be moving up from San Jose, CA at the end of the month...I'm looking forward to getting to know her better and spending more time with them.

Sunday was really a wasted day - on plan foodwise, somehow didn't get my walk in...had misc. chores to do but didn't feel like I accomplished too much. Did replace my palm that perished over the winter/spring months - probably due to freeze damage in January...even though it looked alive the beginning of April...bought 2 to replace it - same kind...mediterainian fan palm and a windmill palm and also a hardy banana to try my luck at. I got them home and potted in time for an ice-pellet storm! I guess we had our summer here already in April and early May.

Monday night my tummy just wasn't happy - I think if it were food poisoning I'd feel much worse and would get over faster...but I'm still running down the hall periodically today (Wednesday).

Tuesday: had my folks and our niece over for dinner - hamburgers, broccoli slaw, baked beans...I had my burger on a portabello mushroom cap and had a little beans as well. Late night snack was popcorn...hoping to settle my tummy and it didn't. I did a lot of yardwork - had to mow twice, the lawn had grown so since Saturday that the mower couldn't get through it and had to do it on the highest setting and again on a lower setting. Did some weeding and moving of some iris that had taken over where we have a small fountain in back. I didn't get to the nursery to get basil and other tender plants that I wanted to get in pots or in the veggie garden - they'll have to wait until next Monday now because I'm working through Sunday this week. I walked late last night before sunset.

Wednesday: DH walked with me this morning. We did the regular route because I didn't get moving very fast this morning. Tummy troubles kept us from getting an extra loop in. Work is looking managable for the day so far.

 

[LAinSEA]

We had a late Mariners game last night and I wasn't home until after midnight...should have just gone to sleep but DH was all bothered about a couple of conversations with his dad and brother. Jeff has a real interview scheduled for this Friday - and they were being a little over zealous with their advice. We argued a little over their attitude and interferance and pretty soon it was 2 am! Needless to say, we both overslept this morning - including the cats and I missed my opportunity to get my walk in. I'm feeling extremely sluggish - I don't think I'll get a chance to get 10 or 20 minutes in while at work.

Meals Wednesday - on plan. Wasn't hungry for my salad even. Still dealing with tummy troubles - strange bug. Wish it would leave my system alone!

I got called for more freelance work - and had to turn it down. I would have loved to work for ESPN on their new Duet graphics system (I use the HD Duet for fireworks shows each year in Seattle.) I can't wait to move into education and free up my summers and weekends for freelance opportunities again. I start my first online class on June 10 - I need to get my book ordered today or tomorrow.

Please, everyone, send some positive thoughts my DH's way tomorrow. Say prayers, light candles - this job would be so good for him. It's a technology support position for a school district and would be a great way for him to determine if education is the direction he should head at this point in life for his career. He's already heard that he's "over qualified" - but in this job market there isn't much out there that fits his experience, skills and education...It sucks to be a 41-yr old man out of work in mid-career.

I will happily give up my gourmet chef for him to gain a little self-esteem.

 

[wilderness01]

Wishing your husband lots of luck!

 

[DoeWDW]

I'm sending up many, many prayers and shipping truckloads of for Jeff's interview tomorrow! I hope all goes very well!

Sorry about your tummy troubles - I've been having a similar problem but the worst is over. I hope you're getting back to normal too!

Sending you for a bright and happy day!

 

[Strings]

Hi Laurie,

I bet you are excited to start your class. I will be sending prayers, :thewave: for DH's interview.

I know you missed your walk, but sometimes sleep is more important.
Beth

 

[LAinSEA]

I wanted to post as soon as I heard from Jeff about his interview, but he didn't get out until after 5pm and then we were swamped at work and I didn't get to DIS at all.

The interview was 5 on 1 - Jeff said it went pretty well. He answered their questions to the best of his ability and hoped that they wouldn't get the opinion he was overqualified. The whole thing lasted about an hour and one half.

Friday exercise - 45 minutes of walking. Meals on plan (about 25 carbs total with the iced breve on the way to work.)

Saturday exercise - 45 minutes of walking, an hour of mowing the lawn - grew another 3-4 inches since Tuesday!.

I have to work tomorrow as well - but will be trading Thursday off this week.

Thanks to all of you for your prayers and good wishes for DH's interview. Now, if everyone will keep their fingers crossed for the next round. There will be another interview if he makes it to the next round. Then perhaps a day of shadowing the other techs.

 

[DoeWDW]

Laurie, I'm keeping my fingers crossed and keeping you & Jeff in my prayers.

 

[DoeWDW]

Laurie, I know what you mean about tummy trouble making you feel like a human sponge!! I've just felt so bloated and so.....ROUND! Hopefully both of us will be over it soon. I KNOW I didn't drink enough water yesterday, which didn't help, and I ate the wrong stuff at dinner last night. But today's a new day and I'm gonna try again!

I woke up this morning thinking about you! I had a dream that I was a new teacher, filling in for someone else who needed a leave of absence mid-year. I was trying to figure out his schedule, where different rooms were in the school, etc. So when I woke up, I remembered you and your quest to become a teacher. I wish you all the best!!

Have a great Sunday - your weekend is coming soon!!

 

[Strings]

Hi Laurie,

I'm glad to hear that Jeff's interview went wll. I will be sending prayers that he gets the job. I hope you had a good bay.
Beth

 

[DoeWDW]

Sending some extra and happy thoughts out to Washington State!

 

[LAinSEA]

I have a real tendency to over-do it...especially when I get a good-weather day off and then I spend it all outside in the garden. The problem is that I pay for it with too much sun (the sunscreen just doesn't seem to help sometimes) and too tight musles. The combination means that I don't get up and moving the next day and then I feel horrible for not getting my walk in before work.

Sunday - DH got up and walked with me before I got off to work. We only did the regular circuit. His knees have been bothering him. We have really good conversations while we walk though. The sky did open up on us that last 10 minutes and we were really wet before we got home. I had an extremely busy day at work - no time to DIS. Meals on plan - but I didn't get through a 1/3 of my bag...I did heat up some stirfried veggies when I got home to eat before bed.

Monday - finally a day off. It was drizzly in the morning and we both slept in. The only real walking I got in was around a couple of nurseries. I got my squash and some tomatoes planted before going up to my folks for the evening. Mom and I didn't get our walk in (except for around yet another nursery). I had a salad and a couple of slices of Papa Murphy's low-carb pizza for dinner (DH and I stopped for a hamburger for lunch and the way up...double patties, cheese - half a bun for me.) I didn't get the "sugar-rush" after eating what was probably too many carbs for the day...sorta my own gage of what my body can tolerate and still be on plan.

Tuesday - we had a consultation for building a pond-less waterfall for the the front yard. DH and I really want to do this...it's so pricey though even if we do all of it ourselves. The consultant was worth paying for the expertise and that way when we do this project we won't have to do it over to make it right.

I also got the lawn mowed (again...another 3 inches of new growth...very happy grass.) Planted basil and some drawf sunflowers in pots - made a home depot trip for more soil and finished up the planting. Got in an hour-long walk mid-day. Then once we had a little shade in back, weeded out the rose bed. DH put in some hangers for our windchimes that came down with the siding project and helped me finish up the last 20 minutes of weeding on the rose bed. We had hotdogs for lunch - I had a snack of havarti & salamie about 4pm - we had grilled shrimp & pork kabobs with grilled veggies (aspargus, peppers, mushrooms & broccoli) for a very late dinner. It started raining about the time DH headed out to the grill.

This morning... did I hurt - too much sun, too much bending while weeding and I missed my walk. I even stretched last night before bed - still stiff and so sore! I'm off tomorrow so I plan to get another long walk or two in and get back on the pilates.

Doreen and Beth: thanks for keeping your positive thoughs and prayers going for Jeff. I sure hope he hears something soon. The tech he plays basketball with on Mondays was at his interview and he passed along that Jeff was the most professional of all they talked to. He couldn't say anything about the decision making process though and we have to respect that.

I start "school" tomorrow - first class in on professional communications. I'm glad I will be home to log in and get going. It's weird that I'm much more nervous about taking the classes than getting into a classroom and student teaching (whereas that is a ways off). I'm so excited about working with students!

Onward and downward!

 

[Strings]

Gentle Laurie,

I hope you are feeling better today. I've been there, and itis not fun.

I hope you had a good day at school. I admire you so much for following your dream. So many people stay where they are because they are comfortable or afraid of change. You are a brave woman, and I am proud of you.
Beth

 

[wilderness01]

Hope you are feeling better.

 

[LAinSEA]

Well anyway - I think I've got about 90% of attending class online...I need to figure out how to post to my class folder so I get credit for attendance and also how to turn in my first assignment...no I haven't written it yet. It's supposed to be a short bio. I think I will have the most trouble with the "short" part of it. I was able to do all my online reading and will read the 2 chapters in the text resource manual tonight/tomorrow. It is only a 1 credit class...I'm guessing that it is required for most programs of study, not just education. I will contact my counselor tomorrow for guidance on the 10% I didn't figure out on my own tonight.

My DH is an amazing guy! He thought that I'd love to be able to sit out on the back patio surrounded by all my plants, listening to our little pre-fab waterfall and attend class - so he bought us a wireless connection for our router and server and a card for my laptop. It was too cool to be outside this afternoon, but I did my logging in from our dining room where I could look out the window and enjoy the flowers and the waterfall.

I got the downstairs picked up and vacuumed this morning after sleeping in and also an hour-long walk. I've been doing laundry while going to school. I still need to vacuum upstairs and clean our bathroom...maybe after dinner. DH has been rebuilding our BBQ - he has been cleaning out 8 years of grime and then is going to put the new burner unit and grills in. We got the BBQ used...a real steal because the former owner wanted a larger one. It uses natural gas and is a ceramic burner grill - like the ones they use in high-end restaurants. I'm so glad that they sell replacement parts - buying a new grill would be well over $2,200 - we got the grill originally for just $300 - now another $300 for parts.

Meals mostly on-plan (hotdog w/half the bun for lunch at Costco) - dinner will be swordfish or ahi tuna with veggies.

Yesterday - work was a little slow except for a special project for Special Olympics. No walk (as previously noted), meals on plan...grilled pepper steak, mushrooms & green beans for lunch, ceasar salad with chicken breast, parmasan cheese & almonds for dinner...breve, 1/2 cup cottage cheese (reminder to self...make sure we buy small curd cottage cheese) & 1 oz macadamia nuts.

My body isn't as stiff and sore tonight. Sunburn seems to be fading to tan and not painful. I did not do any weeding today...I wish I had a house elf that loved fighting the stickers & slugs! They had a firm workout dvd at Costco. I'm going to give it a try sometime on my weekend. The nice thing about having a day off mid-week is only having to go back and do two more days before getting the weekend off - and only one day working with Mr. Negativity! (I miss another Pistons postgame marathon session too...sorry Beth, I'm Pistons postgamed out right now.)

Niko says Meow! to everyone...Tilda too! Niko sat with me the whole time I was going to class. He is reminding me of Horatio everyday. (Horatio used to attend classes with me my last year at Univ. Washington...patiently sitting on my lap waiting for a chance to visit the pond afterwards to watch the ducks.) Jeff popped up in the window while we were "studying" and Niko gave him the biggest HISS! until Jeff talked to him and Niko was satisfied he wasn't a threat. The old Niko would have immediately headed for upstairs under the bed...Horatio would have defended his meowmy to the death. Niko must still have the little angel on his shoulder reminding him of his new responsibilities.

 

[wilderness01]

That is sweet of your husband. Anything to make studying easier is the way to go for anyone. Your grill sounds great. You made me laugh about the slugs. When I lived in Oregon I had no idea what they were.......this city girl had never seen such an ugly looking little slimey thing. My friends out there would laugh at me because of the different reactions I had when I would learn about nature out there. The pacific northwest was so different than the midwest. It is so pretty there! Have a great weekend.