Laurie's journal - Atkins plan (comments welcome)

[LAinSEA]

I got my final paper posted before heading into work today...2,400 words on the button not including a 120 word abstract and references! Our team projects will be posted later tonight (55 pages, over 16,000 words, and 25 slides thus far!) I'm so glad this class is over and on to the next one a week from tomorrow.

On plan foodwise, except I'm putting on weight like no tomorrow...I need the exercise and to re-evaluate my plan. Tomorrow will be the day I get my behind out of bed and walk! Rain, or no rain - by the way, it's 63 degrees outside at home right now! The ski areas have almost all shut down and there is little left of the snowpack needed for water this summer. The Pineapple Express moved up the coast from California and has justed blasted us with warm, wet weather.

I have plans to spend Presidents' day week with my parents and nieces in Virginia and Washington DC. DH will not be going - he wants to be available for work (keeping our fingers crossed still - starting to lose both feeling and movement from keeping them crossed so long now.)

Please forgive my absence from everyone's journals...I'll be back in action as work permits tonight and this week.

 

[wilderness01]

I'm glad your class is completed. Now you can relax and enjoy a little off time. Good for you on your accomplishments.

 

[DoeWDW]

Time for a little celebration party - Laurie's class is FINISHED!!

Your trip to the east coast sounds wonderful! There's so much to see and do in DC and Virginia that I'm sure you and your family will have a great time. How wonderful that you'll get to spend so much time with your nieces! It's a shame you won't be closer to Pennsylvania!!

Hope you got your walk in today! If you're sick of the warm weather, I'd be happy to send you the snow and 20 degree temps that we've got here.

 

[Strings]

CONGRATULATIONS ON FINISHING YOUR CLASS LAURIE!

I am so glad ths class is over. I think a long weekend with your family is just what the doctor ordered. A nice break will definatley do you good.

have a great trip,
Beth

 

[sarahsmom73]

YAY Laurie!!! Way to go!!! I bet that huge boulder on your shoulders is gone!!!! Happy Friday!

 

[plutosmyfav]

Congrats on finishing your paper

Enjoy that Pineapple Express! We're in the negative wind chill temps. YUCK!!!!!

Sundie

 

[DoeWDW]

Laurie, I hope you have a wonderful weekend! Kick back and relax (even if you have to work)!

 

[wilderness01]

Hi Laurie,

Just checking in on you and hoping you are enjoying a restful weekend with no papers/classwork to worry about. What a great feeling to have your class finished. Enjoy that warm weather. We are cold here.

 

[Strings]

Hey Laurie,

I'm just checking in to wish you a great weekend.
Beth

 

[sarahsmom73]

Have a wonderful weekend!!! Stay Warm!

 

[LAinSEA]

I got an "A" - a real "A", not an "A-"! I'm doing the happy dance!

Somehow I managed to pull my grade from a "C" from just earning 80% on my first paper to finishing with 96.5% for the final grade. Our team project (all 55 pages/25 slides of it) earned a perfect grade. My final paper was nicked .75 point! Oh, I am so glad this course is over and it didn't kill my GPA!

Now on to healthy living - which for me is a challenge and I'm not sure why. OK, I'm not an "over-eater" although I would say that sometimes I'm an emotional eater. I've limited my emotional eating to popcorn - but I know it is too high in carbs for me. Well at least it's not cookies or cake - which I'm not interested in to say the least. I don't hit the vending maching for candy. DH keeps my main protein portion down to 6 oz or less, everything else is small portions and we have been cutting down on saturated fats. But my waistline is still growing! No excercise yet - I just couldn't get up this week even after finishing my class...still fighting the remains of the flu bug and quite overtired! I just don't understand why my metabolism is so darn slow!

You know when all those diet supplement ads start to intrique you? Well that is where I'm at right now. And yes, I know they don't work - do they?

DH, just popped in to tell me that the one suet basket that still had stuff in it got pulled down last night. Now, he's got the bird feeders put up with industrial strength chain and the basket was stripped off of the chain. He said it smells like the bears are back. (Yes, it's January and they are supposed to be sleeping! but we've had 55-70 degree temps the past week!) The momma bear and her yearling cubs were trapped and moved from our neighborhood last spring. But I wonder if she's found her way back. Not that it bothers me much - but the rest of the neighborhood was completely freaked out when bears were discovered in the neighborhood. We have had coyotes, raccoon, possum, skunk, fox, deer (the bain of my roses' existence), and quite recently a bobcat that likes to visit on the other side of the french doors with Niko (safely inside). We don't live way out...South Hill is mostly neighborhoods now as is the valley. But I'm sure if the bears have returned - the homeowners association is going to be completely out of control! Its funny that when I walked up to the door after getting home from work last night that I heard something leave quickly...something bigger than a rodent. DH looked around outside but didn't see anything. I just wonder...

I'm trying to talk DH into taking me out to Bahama Breeze for dinner tonight...it's a ways a way and we haven't been to this restaurant yet (anywhere). The menu looks like I could low-carb with lots of flavor. And I could use some tropical-like atmosphere in all the grey weather. Its as close as I'll get to Florida for a few years even though the email code I got looked increadible! DH has a job interview this week (please light candles, keep fingers and toes crossed, and say a few prayers). It is with Fred Hutchinson cancer research center in their finance department. With DH's degrees in biology/zoology and computer experience, I think this would be a very good fit for him even if it a long commute to Seattle.

 

[kayeandjim00]

Hi Laurie! I'm a newbie to the WISH Journals so I'm trying to get around to all the journals and get myself acquantied with everyone. Just wanted to congratulate you on your A!! You must be so happy! Lots of pixie dust and good wishes for your DH - hope this turns out to be a great opportunity for him.

 

[LAinSEA]

You know its a Monday when...

DH and I got ourselves up and out of the house in time to grab a breve, hit the cash machine and get over to our hair appt by 10am only to find out that its scheduled for next week! (and our stylist had the worst case of the flu too!) Can't believe we were off by a week - I was certain that when we left last month that we made the appt. for the week I had "off" from school. I will call Mechelle and hopeful get a highlights appt. too.

DH is studying up on SQL Server in the meantime - he hasn't had to use it for over a year and it is one of the areas he needs for the interview on Thursday. We are heading up for basketball (DH and Dad) and a good walk (Me & Mom) this afternoon. I want to stop by the mall on the way up...I'm down to one pair of jeans that fit well for work (the other two pairs I could get my growing behind in have nice rips and tears...OK, if I was in High School or into clubbing I'm sure...but not good for 41-yr old professional.)

We did get out to Bahama Breeze last night and really enjoyed the food and theme. I didn't stay completely LC but did limit the carby foods. I really enjoyed the tropical landscaping...their palms look really good even after the freezing temps we had a couple of weeks ago. My palms have come out of the garage to bask in the 65 degree temps we have today! Crocus are blooming and even my little rhodie is trying to bloom (again) it is so confused. The "bear" didn't get at the feeders again last night...but Niko did visit with Bobcat again for a short time. I barely caught a view of it before it took off. I have to laugh because Niko's with his Maine Coon mix breeding makes the strangest little mews and squeaks normally - but he was doing his best lion growl and roar last night.

So far today foodwise - I've had a breve and a ham & tomato sandwich on LC bread. Mom has been good about making LC or SB style meals on Mondays. Dad is trying to do SB as the driver he works with on the short bus has lost nearly 65 lbs on it in the last year.

Off to change and fold laundry!

 

[Strings]

Laurie got an A! Laurie got an A! Laurie got an A!

Congratulations, All that hard work really paid off. I am really proud of you.

I will be saying prayers for DH and this interview. you are right, it would be a good fit for him. I am sending tons of

Enjoy your walk with your mom tonight. it is good to hear that your DF is doing SB. I seem to remember that you suggested it for him this summer.

I have a question. Are you back on BCP? If not, the fluctuations of your hormones (or the new script) may be contributing to your weight gain. You could also be heading towards perimenopause. Hey I blame everything on hormones.

Congrats again and good luck to DH,
Beth

 

[wilderness01]

Way to go Laurie. I am so happy for you on your much deserved A!

I will say as many prayers as possible for your husband. My brother was out of work for awhile and it broke my heart to see that. I wanted to work extra and give him the money. I hate seeing or hearing about someone wanting to work and not being able to. Best of luck really. Something will work out.

I love Bahama Breeze too. It reminds me of Florida. The one down in Orlando is quite good I might add. Have a great day.

 

[DoeWDW]

An A for Laurie!!!

:thewave: :thewave: :thewave:

Warm congratulations on your accomplishment!!

My waistline has been expanding also. I'm just now getting some of those extra pounds off. I think all I've lost is the initial water whoosh, so now the hard part begins. Let's hope we both can find a way to slim down a bit!

Best wishes for Jeff on Thursday! Tell him SQL Server (and all that other computer stuff) is like riding a bike - you never forget!

Can't believe you aren't freaked out by a bobcat visiting the outside of your house!! Do be careful, OK?

Hope you have a great day, Laurie!

 

[Strings]

Hey woman,

I am just dropping by to say hi! I am saying prayers for the interview.

You can send some of that 60 degree weather my way.

Take care,
Beth

 

[LAinSEA]

Today (Wednesday and my "Monday") is shaping up to be a night from a really bad workplace comedy. We are so overbooked with production for both regions that its not a matter of what could go wrong - its what will go wrong.

I wanted to start posting my meals again - to keep me honest...

Monday - 3 small "fresh rolls" - veggies inside a small, thin rice wrapper, one with a little shrimp. Breve'. Dinner out with parents at Arnie's - Caesar salad, halibut filet, wild rice pilaf (ate 1/3), green beans, 1 slice sourdoah bread (for desert).

Tuesday - Crab omelette with mushrooms & four cheese blend (mozarella, provalone, parmasan, romano), breve', red robin burger (whole wheat bun), green salad with ranch dressing instead of fries.

Wednesday (so far) - breve', cottage cheese, diet coke...dinner will be: sauted zuccini, pork loin, spinach salad with oil/vinegar dressing (snack of cheese and salami or mixed nuts)

Walked - long walk - on Monday with Mom...sore hips on Tuesday. Walked the mall with DH doing some shopping on Tuesday...didn't wake up in time for a walk today

Doe, the bobcat is quite interesting to us. Facinating really that it will come so close to the house - nose-to-nose through the glass with Niko. We don't let our kitties out without supervision. But when they are out with us on the back patio we are on a constant lookout for hawks, eagles, and other critters that might harm them. The bird feeders have not been touched by anything large since the other night. DH actually racked the area under the feeders to see if we get any good tracks...the joys of being married to a biologist/zoologist!

Beth, we are back to mid-50's during the day and upper 30's at night...and rain, rain, rain. However, the rain is coming down as rain in the mountains too. Not one ski area in the state is open currently. Anyone who is unconvinced about global warming and the havoc it plays with the weather is getting a really good dose of reality right now...But my potted palms are happy to be out of the garage!

 

[Strings]

Hi laurie,

Ok, I admit I would be freaked by a bobcat at my glass door.

I am sorry that your day is so crazy today. I hope it improves.

Great job getting your walks in. You obviously needed your rest today.

Take care,
Beth

 

[LAinSEA]

Wow, what a difference from yesterday to today...Our schedule at work is nearly dead to start with and then after games to finish for both regions. When I saw the schedule I was excited because I could really get into my new class - except it didn't post! I called to find out what is up and was told I might have to wait a week to get into a course. I said that was not acceptable because I have a trip scheduled for the "off" week at the end of this course! They made up some excuse about there not being enough students for this class - I countered that can't be correct - as there were 13 of us in the last course all on the same sequence expecting to begin class today.

DH just called to say he felt the interview went well. The manager has two more candidates to interview tomorrow. He shared that the first two he interviewed were not qualified for the position. It is a true systems analyst position - SQL is not the primary function but knowledge of it is necessary. DH says he knows enough to bluff his way through and there will be specific training on their system if he gets the job. He could take the train in to the city to work - the hospital is 12 blocks up the hill from the train station.

Kitties let me sleep in past my alarm time...don't know if it went off. Thankfully, I friend called me to ask some technical questions and got me moving. I did get to work ontime - not sure how that happened. I'm getting my cottage cheese down.

Meals for today include: breve', cottage cheese, diet rite soda, green salad, pork loin & zuccini. Snack will be nuts and salami/cheese if needed. (Yes, I ate them yesterday along with popcorn when I got home...I nearly got run down by a semi on the way home and it was the topper of a busy day without a real break. At least DH remembered to tape Alias for me!)

No excercise...very bad!