Laurie's journal - Atkins plan (comments welcome)

[LAinSEA]

Wilderness: I am so deathly afraid of slugs. (Which come in a variety of supersizes and colors around here.) They are monsters of my nightmares and the cause of my screams in the garden. If I could find another animal that would just stay in my yard and hunt and destroy slugs I would gladly pay a fortune for it and build it it's own little castle!

As far as online class is going...I was about 90% wrong about feeling like I'd figured 90% out yesterday. It really helps when the technical registration finally catches up with the class. I will be spending much more time on this class than I'd orignally anticipated. My classmates are located all over the globe - from Saudi Arabia (she admits to living in a very dangerous situation) to Tokyo to Maine & the Big Island of Hawaii - everywhere in between is represented too. The Professor is located in Florida and is insisted on participation 5 of 7 days each week (instead of the 2 of 7 advertised). I've been playing catchup and here it is day 2!

Meals: on plan...but I will not get through my minimal amout of food tonight. I guess I will need to learn to participate online while working and eating (instead of just eating and working). The DIS has been good training LOL. Water intake was about as bad as I've been at work (since the day we ran out of bottled water for the coolers). I was only up and down for refills twice instead of about 10 times for a regular shift.

Exercise: I got in about a 40 minute walk this morning - I need to get up a little earlier to do more than that. Niko has reset his alarm clock from early mornings to past 9am...he and Tilda are content to bird watch at dawn and then come on back up to bed.

I'm hoping to really get some class work done tomorrow during a "slower" day at work. Again, I'm really glad the Pistons play on Sunday and I'll miss the postgame show madness. Hopefully I'll get a DIS break to check in on journals as well.

 

[DoeWDW]

Laurie, you are such a busy gal! I admire your dedication to your education, and a big pat on the back for Jeff for trying to make it as pleasant as possible for you! I took a Data Resource Management certificate program online through U. of Washington. We also had people from all over! It was a one year program. My particular project team included me from Pennsylvania, Forrest from California and Violetta from the Ukraine. We didn't have to be on at the same time, thank goodness and could do our work by shipping emails & files back and forth. It was a great experience! Best wishes for a great experience for you!!

Glad to hear Niko is becoming more brave! I'm sure it helps to have Horatio whispering in his ear!

I won't be around to journals for a while but I'll keep praying and thinking good thoughts for Jeff's employment situation.

 

[Strings]

Laurie,

You are doing a great job. You are juggling home, work, healthy living and a new class. I am so glad that you have so mch support from your DH, and kitties too. I hope that you can find a few minutes to relax. I hope that the class is at least enjoyable. More prayers are being sent for Jeff.

Take care,
Beth

 

[LAinSEA]

I'll do the report thing first: Eating is on-plan, I've made my walk each day over the "weekend", I'm down 1 lb total this week (now at 162 lbs) and I've had just about as much fun as I can handle right now as far as family drama.

The online class is much more demanding than I'd anticipated. I'm trying to become better organized and try to get my attendance posting done while at work so that I don't "miss" class. If I have a really busy day at work, by the time I get home it's already "tomorrow" as far as class attendance goes. We have a Learning Team project due this week, but the individual work hasn't been cut down at all from last week. I'm finding that writing papers isn't not coming as easily either. If anyone has taken an online class and has some advice on how to better organize class time I'd really appreciate it if you'd share.

DH got a call about the job he'd interviewed for a week or so back - he didn't get it. No explanation why. He is taking it much harder than I'd anticipated. He wouldn't go to see the Harry Potter movie at the IMAX theatre with me, my niece and my folks last night.

The movie was the high point of my week! I really enjoyed it more than the previous 2 and felt they did a great job of getting in the important parts of the book without making a 4 hour movie. Seeing it in IMAX is incredible - you feel like your part of the movie instead of just watching it. The film is also shot from kind of an action/eavesdropping perspective. IMAX seating and audio increases that perspective.

Family drama: My sis and her SO were up for his daughters graduation this week. My mom has been on pins and needles all week (they stayed with my folks). She didn't anticipate them being here a whole week, doesn't get along with the SO and then there have been visitation issues to work out with my youngest niece's father and he is not being cooperative. We are supposed to see Allysa 4 hours each week and her mother is allowed to check in by phone once a day. Allysa's father has not allowed any of it! Jeff is going to pick her up this Friday at 5pm so that my folks aren't delayed by traffic in getting her. Fridays are not a good day for either us or my parents and ofcourse Allysa's dad knows this. We need either Mondays or Tuesday to make the visitation work. My mother was in tears on Sunday went we couldn't even get Allysa's dad/step SO to answer the phone to discuss options.


So here's to a smoother week...I'm trying to be optimistic.

-Laurie

 

[wilderness01]

I'm so sorry about your husband not getting the job. Hang in there. Things happen for a reason and this job was just not meant to be. Actually, I can not believe I just typed that. I hated when people said that to me, but it was/is true. I'll keep good thoughts going for you guys. Good luck with school. Maybe you just need to get into a groove. It will get better.

 

[ZerasPride]

Hi Laurie,

I'm just stopping by to check on you. I'm so sorry your husband didn't get that job. {{{hugs}}} to you. The family drama thing sounds just awful. Why do people act this way? It's like they don't realize the children are the only ones who really suffer. My Dad wanted to take my niece and nephew with him to Disney (they are there this week). My brother's ex-wife said sure they could go if my brother gave her an additional $2500 in child support this month. What? Of course he didn't so she didn't let the kids go on the trip. That just did not make any sense to me. Those poor kiddos.

Anyway, I hope the rest of your week is drama free!

 

[Strings]

,

Wow you've been through the ringer lately. I'm so sorry that he didn't get the job. That has to be frustrating, especially since he was overqualified. The visitation issue is horrible. I will pray for all of you. My Godmother raised her granddaughter for 11 years. Then her dad got custody and married a witch, My GM hasn't seen Jessica in over a year. EDveryone is devastated, and Jessica's grades have dropped. I'm sorry you are going through something similar. Kids should have access to all the love they can can get.

Sorry, I don't have any suggestions for your class.

Beth

 

[LAinSEA]

I believe it's still Thursday...first day of the second week of class and much more to accomplish for this week than last. I've been able to do my E-reading and attendance posting from work (even with 5 shows today - Hurray for the Pistons! No more postgame shows!)

DH walked with me this morning, we really have to get him new shoes! His knees were killing him and he bagged out on the lower neighborhood loop. I've also added more distance to the walk so that it still takes me 45 minutes. Jeff said he couldn't believe just how fast my little legs go. He is seeming to be a bit better - still sending out resumes and making calls. No more unemployment benefits left - but he logged in on the website anyway to let them know he was still unemployed. That elicited a letter and a phone call! They don't want him to log in - he countered with "then how do you know for statistical purposes that I'm unemployed?" I think the improving unemployment numbers have nothing to do with job creation in this country, it is because they don't count the people who have exhausted their benefits! He said that he will continue to log in until he has a job...and they will just have to deal with it.

Food - on plan, nothing special except I've been having a turkey & ham sandwich on low-carb bread for brunch instead of cottage cheese. I've been better about getting my meals in too the last two days. (On Tuesday, I had just a sandwich and a breve all day...too much school work and movie...and no popcorn at the movie.)

Wilderness - I have heard that expression "things happen for a reason" over and over again. Looking back over my life...OK, sometimes they do. But while you are at that point where things are not going well, it's really hard to have faith that things will finally turn out for the best. As much as neither DH or myself want to move...we love our home and we can still afford it for now...I told Jeff this morning that he should start stepping up the out-of-town job search. Things in Washington St. just don't seem to be improving. I have two friends that have been out of work over 18 months and 14 months...two very educated, experienced, personable friends also without jobs or prospects for them.

Beth: the custody fight saga continues...we're getting info that Allysa's dad's SO has asked him to move out. My folks don't know where he will be/is living. They had contact with his father and yes, Allysa will be there to be picked up at 5pm tomorrow. Jeff will go over to get her at her other granddad's house - 5 minutes away from ours.

Lisa: Thanks so much for dropping by. My folks are taking the girls at the end of their summer break to WDW. I anticipate trouble from at least Allysa's dad in handing her over in time for the trip. Why can't everyone just get along? It really is the children that suffer through all of this - my nieces are far more mature than any of the adults they live with.
On another note, You amaze me with a no-cheat visit to the world, I can't wait to read your trip report!

-Laurie

 

[wilderness01]

OH Laurie, I am so sorry for what you are going through. I know when you are going through a tough time it is easy for others to give advice. That is really tough. I really hated when people said the "things happen for a reason" when we were at low points in our life. I wanted to yell that sometimes you just have bad luck or are getting the short end of the stick couldn't that be it? And yes, it wasn't fair. Most times I just was quiet, but I thought it! I really am pulling for you guys. I have friends still in the Pacific Northwest and they too say that the job situation isn't so hot there. Hang in there.

 

[Strings]

Laurie,

I'm glad Jeff is feeling a bit better. You are right, he needs new shoes. I'm sorry that you are so stressed. That class sounds like a killer. I am also glad that the Pistons won, now I can have my DH back. Enjoy your time with Allysa this weekend. I hope things workout. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I hope Jeff can find a job soon, to help with $, but also to help with his self-esteem. It can be so hard on a person to be unemployed. He is lucky to have you to support him.


Beth

 

[LAinSEA]

Friday and Saturday:

I spent as much time as possible at work Friday focusing on school work - we have a ton of individual assignments due this week and a big start to our Team projects. Today (Saturday), I got my 3 discussion questions answered and posted and also completed my research activity and got it posted. Now I just have to do two posts that reflect my participation in other's discussion questions. That leaves 2 more written assignments and the Team project to get done by Wednesday. I will have to log on and participate at least 4 more days between now and Wednesday.

Friday: meals on plan, 45 minute walk.

Saturday: meals on plan, 40 minute walk (it was near 90 degrees by the time I was half way through and cut it a little short)

My niece, Charly, leaves for a week at horse camp tomorrow. We are planning on riding over to the camp with my folks and doing the 2-hour open house while dropping her off. I didn't get to see Allysa, but will have her for sure on July 6th. According to her father, Jeff and I can see her "anytime". OK, so if that is the case, why don't they answer the phone? My folks arrived in time to pick her up at 5pm so Jeff didn't have to run over and get her. He did get a call from another family in need of computer assistance (referred by his first client) and he did a home visit and recommendation last night. Getting paid for his services is another story - we are discussing how to charge for his expertise. He would love to make his own business work - we've had a license for nearly 5 years now, but I've been the only one to utilize it for freelance work the last 4 years. I have another assignment that will "pay" the business on the 4th of July for an HD broadcast of a Seattle fireworks show.

Wilderness: what is that quote about "that which doesn't destroy us, makes us stronger"...I feel strong enough by now to slay a dragon. But there doesn't seem to a need for dragon slayers these days. We'll get through this one way or another. Maybe it's been decided that I need to learn "patience and tolerance".

Beth: thank you so much for your support. Money is one thing - when you have it, you spend it. When you don't, you find a way to survive without it. Jeff went through another set of layoff notices almost an entire year before he was finally let go. For over a year we banked every cent possible to save for the possibility of him being out of work for up to a year. It's been 6 months and we are still OK. But I honestly didn't expect Jeff to be out of work for so long. His education, skills and experience should lead to something, anything...I suppose that is why I'm starting this masters program, I don't want to be the next one in our family without the credentials to be employed when it's time to layoff TV production employees again.

 

[wilderness01]

You sound like you have alot on your plate with all your school work. I hope you get to relax a little this weekend.

 

[Strings]

Laurie,

Won and I have been talking too. I think it is awesomt that you have a plan for all contingencies. You prepared for the possibility that Jeff would be laid off, and now you are preparing a back up plan if something should happen to your job. You are an amazing woman. Good luck with your homework.
Beth

 

[LAinSEA]

OK, I will admit it, I've had about as much "fun" as I can handle with classwork. On Saturday, I was feeling like I'd gotten ahead of the game and could relax a little. Sunday - DH and I road with my folks to take Charly to her horse camp. It's about 2 1/2 hours away up in the cascade mountains. It has been so hot and dry already this summer that they doubted they could build a campfire. She immediatly made a new friend and it was Bye Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie and Uncle...in others words "get lost!" before the open house was over.

After driving back, we tried to find a restaurant without too much of a wait for Fathers' day dinner. We ended up at Old Country Buffet. DH and I are not buffet fans and this was not a great choice for us, but my dad enjoyed it and I was able to find some low-carb options.

Mealwise - I have been pretty close to being on plan but have been doing a little convenience cheating. Like having a bacon-cheese burger at Wendy's and not throwing out the bun. This made me really hungry all day and night yesterday. It has been very hard to not go for the high-carb foods.

Exercise - I have gotten in my walking each day even though it was in the 90's both Sunday and Monday. I also mowed the lawn Monday in the heat. I have so much more gardening to do, as well as housework but school work has come first today.

After getting so much done on Saturday as far as my class was concerned. I had hoped to get my "Team" together start our team project. This is a big source of frustration for me...our schedules are not meching and the project is not even started and it is due Wednesday. I also had an individual paper due today that needed team involvement and that didn't happen. Only one more week of this class to go and I really want to do well on it. I'm thinking of doing the entire team project on my own and just submitting it from the Team. But what is the purpose in that?

I have moved my laptop out to the back patio this afternoon and it was a delight to write my paper from the garden while the kitties played and watched birds from the patio. My kitties are indoor only, and patio privleges only if they are supervised and they obey the rules - no stepping off the patio!

Jeff has another client to visit tomorrow evening for a home computer consultation and has one of the cars up on blocks for break work. I hope he can have it back together for me to go to work tomorrow.

My folks are getting to see Allysa this evening and just got a call that they will be dropping by - I hope that they can ignore the mess the house is in!

 

[AuroraluvsPhillip]

Hi Laurie,

I just wanted to drop by and lend some support to you. Sounds like you've got a lot of stress with your family, your hubby looking for work, and I give you credit, taking classes while working. I did that several years ago so that I could get the job I have now, it was tough believe me. My husband works in TV too.

Try to get your husband out for more walks with you. It's good for him to work out his worries.

I saw your tag...I have a tuxedo kitty too. Mine is a little thing, only 7 pounds, named Henrietta. Her nose is black though, not pink. I go to Petsmart and I want to take all the kitties home with me!

Hope your team assignments work out ok. I know the kids hate it when they have team projects in school. Like you said, they'd rather just do everything themselves, then they know it's done correctly!

Hope things get easier for you real soon!

Jean

 

[Strings]

Laurie,

You just have 1 more week until the class is over. I'm sorry that it is so frustrating for you. Team projects are the pits. Hopefully you won't have many. Don't worry about your house. Your family knows how busy you are right now. They won't judge you. Enjoy the time with your family.
Beth

 

[LAinSEA]

It's still Wednesday, right?

Tilda just didn't want me to sleep without my hand rubbing her tummy this morning. She is not usually this needy. From about 4am on, we did the tummy rub everytime she re-situated herself in the crook of my arm. Niko decided to land on my chest about 6am - a few quick pets and he was curled up light a lead weight on top of me. It really nice to be loved, but lets wait for daylight!

I got in my walk about 8:30am - would have got up sooner but I have the late shift and I need to be still alert at 10pm. It's now show time and I am not alert!

Meals on plan - really good grilled pork chop with ultra fresh broccoli & mixed green salad for dinner.

When I get home - I have the "Team" presentation to complete. We didn't find out until today that one of team members dropped the class awhile ago...DH says he'll help me combine three presentations into one. Because of technical problems, our team was unable to communicate until very late last night. We each panicked and put our own presentations together...great minds thing alike? Still it has to be a "Team" presentation.

I though I had this stress and eating thing pretty handled - but I'm just hungry all the time for junk. I have not given into it at work. I can't vouch for when I get home.

Beth, thank you for saying its OK for my house to be a great big mess. I told Jeff just how embarassed I was for my folks to drop by and the house was a disaster area. (My mother's home is always picked up and clean enough to eat off the floor - well at least it appears to be.) Jeff said he will try to help out more.

Jean, thank you for stopping by and lending me some support...yes, just one more week. What does your DH do in the TV biz?

 

[wilderness01]

Hope your presentation went well.

 

[Castillo Mom]

Hi Lauie, just dropping by to say a quick hello and see how you're doing. Don't worry about your house, you're a busy lady and I know how hard it is to juggle career and home. Have a great weekend!

 

[DoeWDW]

Laurie, I just got caught up with your journal! You sound so busy!! You posted in my journal about fighting the "should" monster - glad I've got company but am hoping we both learn to tackle this problem. I'm tired of feeling overwhelmed! DH and I agreed that we would set realistic goals for what to do each day and then let the rest go!

Your house does not have to be spotless! Jeff is at home - I think the house is HIS problem at the moment! I know this is easier said than done - my DH was a BEAR to live with when laid off and got even worse when the unemployment benefits ran out. We lived on cheap carbs for food! I hope Jeff finds something soon! If working out-of-town is an option, I'll be happy to pass his name on to some national consulting firms like Ajilon. Let me know if I can help in any way.

Your online class sounds difficult! We also had to log in to participate in discussions but were free to do it any time during the week. As far as the team projects, we learned really early that it was easier to divide and conquer. You have to break the assignment up into smaller individual assignments and create mini deadlines. With my team, Forrest would agree to do the preliminary work and would pass that to me within 2-3 days, I'd add the required diagramming and notes and pass it on within 2 days and Violetta would do the conclusion and polishing and submit it to the instructor on time. I hope you and your team can find a similar arrangement that works well for you.

Sending you good thoughts for your day today!!