Laurie's journal - Atkins plan (comments welcome)

[LAinSEA]

I think my last post was last Wednesday...had four very busy days in a row on Thursday-Sunday at work. With school on top of it, I'm very overwhelmed right now.

Meals have been on-plan and healthy thanks to Jeff. I've got to cut out the breves though - maybe every other day for a while until I get it out of my system. When I'm stressed I crave lattes - not chips or candy or krispie kremes. Chocolate is another matter - but I'm satisfied with just once piece every now and then. Coffee is my downfall.

Stalling...the scale is stalling, I'm stalled in writing my last two assignments - big final paper due tomorrow and our team paper due on Wednesday (I got the first draft of my piece done a little bit ago.) One of my other teammates is going to have put the finishing touches on this time. I can't guarantee I'll get home in time to post before deadline since the Mariners are at home through the 30th.

I missed two days of walking this week, rain and then no time yesterday before my remote event at the track (which did not go well - terrible director). When I got home I tried doing more research and some writing and was so totally blocked! It wasn't productive, I should have walked. I was awake early this morning and DH walked with me. I will probably go again tonight.

Doe - thanks for the tips on team learning. One of the team dropped the class and now were down to 3 of us. We are all "lone wolves" so to speak but at least so far we have been pretty psychic-ly connected. Just two more days then a week between classes.

Lisa - I'm so glad you stopped by. Your trip is coming up so fast! Your boys must be getting pretty excited.

Wilderness - we got a 10 of 10 on our presentation. The other groups thought we did a great job. I thought all 3 presentations were very good, especially since none of have communicated any way but online.

Getting DH to do housework - well he did clean the bathrooms this week and vacuumed upstairs. The job search is slow - and yes, Doe, he'd travel out of town if necessary (as do I when I have a sporting event away from home). Let me know where I should send his resume.

thanks all for keeping my spirits up.

 

[AuroraluvsPhillip]

Laurie,
Glad to hear your presentation went well. 10 out of 10, way to go! I can't imagine doing something like that online...
Don't get discouraged with the housework...I have tried every trick to keep up with it, and it never works. I basically just ignore it until I have a day full of energy and then I tackle what bothers me the most...I vowed I would never end up like my mother, who spent more time with the housecleaning than with us kids. I always say "People are more important than things" and my house will probably still be standing long after I'm gone.

Have a great week!
Jean

 

[Strings]

Hi Laurie,

Congratulations on doing so well on the presentation. That is awesome. I'm sorry to hear that you are blocked on your paper, but you work on the spot , and my bet is that when the deadline is staring at you, you'll just cranl it out. I'll send just in case. I know you want to cut out the breves, have you tried iced coffees with sf syrups. You'd save major calories and still get the caffiene fix.

Good Luck and Keep up the good work,
Beth

 

[DoeWDW]

Laurie, way to go on your presentation!! I hear you about the "lone wolves" on your team. We were the same way. It takes a special, independent type of person to take classes online, which can make "team" projects tough. Will the 3 of you be able to stay teamed up for the next classes? Forrest, Violetta & I got better as a team as time went on and spent the whole year teamed up. It got easier as we got to know each other's styles and schedules.

I'll send you a PM about Jeff's resume.

Sending you sunny thoughts and calming vibes!

 

[LAinSEA]

I suppose the advantage of online learning is that you get to have a last day of school at the end of every class. Today is the day for class number 1! Technically we aren't finished yet...we still have to post our team paper and we are still waiting for our third member's part before doing the introduction and conclusion. So far I'm in A- land. I'm good with that for my first online class - if we can score well on the team assignment.

Meals - mostly on-plan. We did the dreamfields pasta with smoked salmon, green peas, scallions w/alfreado sauce for dinner on Monday evening. So delicious, but I'm really afraid this is one product that really isn't 5 net carbs as advertised - it is so good! I didn't feel my blood sugar rise, and I usually do with "regular carbs". Even a little bit of regular carb bread (like half a bun) will make me a little edgy about 20 minutes afterwards. Last night, DH and I went out for mudpie. Definitely NOT low carb! I was higher than a kite before bed.

Exercise - much better (worried about tomorrow am - have an early doctors appointment.)

My folks came over for dinner last night with Allysa (Charly spent the day with them too but she had to return to her dad's for dinner). We made fajitas on the grill. I used lc tortillas for my wraps...the rest of the family had the while corn tortillas which are less carbs than flour or yellow corn. DH grilled up peppers and onions, flank steak and chicken. Everything tasted so good.

Doe - thanks for all your support and assistance. Be on the lookout in your mail.

Beth - my latte stand doesn't do drip coffee. I'm going to start making my own at home and try your recipe.

 

[AuroraluvsPhillip]

Wow, Laurie, good job with your class...I know I'd be tearing my hair out and e-mailing my team members every five minutes....so that I could check their work...

Sounds like you had a nice dinner with your family yesterday. I love cooking on the grill...Tonight I made steak kabobs...yumm!
I don't care if it's pouring..I'll stand out there with an umbrella.

Hope your doctor's appt. goes well tomorrow...

Best, Jean

 

[wilderness01]

Glad your class went well.

 

[Strings]

Hi Laurie,

Just wanted to check on you. Having that class over with must be a relief. When does the next one start? Hopefully it will be less work than this one was, or at least more flexible with the timing.

Have a good one,
Beth

 

[LAinSEA]

I posted our team project at 11:30pm last night...didn't get the last part from an another overwhelmed team member until after 10pm. I wrote the intro and conclusion, our team member in Saudia Arabia got up before the crack of dawn and wrote the abstract and did some editing. But I don't think the other two reviewed my work prior to submission. I was able to check the folder last night after getting home to make sure it posted to the group but class was "closed" this morning. Overall, I think we did another terrific job, I hope I get to work with both ladies again.

Doc's appointment - can't believe I got up and over to the office by 8am. It was just a BP, urinalysis & weight check and pick up more study meds. I highly recommend this regimen to anyone who suffers from PMS! I haven't endured TOM since November! No mood swings, no cramps, no tears except for when called for. I just wish the weight would come off. My weight at the office is about 5 higher than at home (I didn't kick off my sandals) but I did show a 5 lbs loss total since 3 months ago.

I came home and walked - nice and cool this am. DH didn't go with me again - he's down to about once a week. Knees are bothering him.

Meals should be on plan. My tummy has been giving me trouble the last week or so - stress?!!! Made popcorn when I got home last night which takes the edge off for some reason but is not on plan.

Kitties did not want me to get up this morning...they both just want to press against me and sleep. I wish I could just stay in bed too - didn't get home until well after midnight last night, I will be dragging by the late shows tonight.

Jean - we use our BBQ year round - rain, snow, fog whatever. There is nothing like great grilled food. I'm saving my extra cash to buy DH a smoker for doing ribs.

Beth - my next class starts on July 8th and goes for 4 weeks this time. I've tried to start reviewing the required reading during the slow parts of my shift today.

Wilderness - One down - how many to go? I'm supposed to observe a teacher in the next four weeks. It will be interesting if I can find a summer school class going on or maybe they'll let me observe a community college class?

 

[Strings]

Hi again Laurie,

Thanks for your comments on my journal. I knew it all intelectually, but it is hard to accept limitations when you don't want to. The pool suggestion is a great one, and I may try it. As for the observation of a teacher, I have 2 suggestions. Quite a few private scheools go year round, look up the private schools in the area. Another option would be special education programs. Many of them also go year round, so the kids don't lose ground. As for the coffee, I have frozen coffee cubes in my freezer. I amke an extra pot a week, and freeze it into cubes. My iced coffee doesn't get watered down, You also need to brew really strong coffee if it is iced.

Enjoy the evening. I 'm glad the dr. appt went well.
Beth

No date yet for HP V!, but the title was announced. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. HBP is neither Voldemort or Harry. Check out Jkrowling.com sometime. It is an awesome site.

 

[DoeWDW]

Laurie, congratulations on finishing your first class!! Taking classes online is hard work and you should be very proud of you!!

I'm so glad the doc appt. went well! It sounds like the regimen really agrees with you! I'll be watching closely for more research, hoping my daughter doesn't have to go through all those years of misery once a month like I have! Thank you for being part of that research!

It's interesting that you mentioned the popcorn. When my stomach is really on the fritz due to stress, popcorn is one of the things that makes it feel so much better! I don't understand it either but it sure does work!

Maybe you can observe in a camp setting! Lots of Girl Scout and Boy Scout and summer camps teach the kids how to do things during part of the day. I attended a 2 week horseback riding camp when I was a Girl Scout and I had never ridden before.

Laurie, enjoy the long weekend! Hopefully you'll find some down time to relax! I also hope DH's knees are feeling better soon!

I got your email - will let you know if I come across anything! With the long weekend, I doubt I'll hear much until later next week.

 

[LAinSEA]

I'm at work on Saturday and I'm so incredibly bored! Without any classwork to focus on, I wondering why I'm here at all. We have two 1/2 shows and nothing to do inbetween.

I was able to check my posted grade for the class I just finished - I earned an A- (3.66 gpa). I'm happy with that for my first online class and first class back to school after 18 years.

I slept in a little this morning and got my 45 minute walk in. DH made me a grilled salmon w/dill butter inside a cornhusk and grilled tomato for lunch. SO YUMMY! He has been experimenting with compound butters. I have more of it for dinner and a salad in my bag.

Meals on plan - except for a breve. My weight has completely stalled and I don't think I'm going to get this last pound off to make my 4 lb goal for the Independence day challenge. I will be so happy to put the scale away for a month for the next challenge.

I also got my exercise in both Thursday and Friday. Needed some popcorn again last night to settle my tummy. It's stress that is upsetting it I'm sure. Not sure what to do about it though.

Jeff's dad and brother came up with a last minute idea to charter a big boat for the first week of August and cruise the San Juans. This will be during my last week of my next class and there is already another graphics operator on vacation that week. I told Jeff there was no way I could go - he's welcome to if he'd like. Well he let his dad and brother know that it was not a possibility for us - maybe if we'd know 3 months ago I could have tried to get the time off. His dad is now completely grumped out and blaming me for ruining his "family" vacation. I'm so tired of family drama! It is nice they want to include us and it's been years since his dad sold his own boat and we've had the opportunity to spend time on the water but how about some advance notice? My boss required at least 2 months notice (if someone hasn't already scheduled the time off) and would prefer more. We were lucky that I could take "bereavement leave" the end of May to open up our family's cabin at the last minute (month's notice).

I will have to see if I can adjust my class schedule to take time off the first part of October to close up the cabin. Right now it has me starting a class on Sept. 30th for 4 weeks. This program is suppose to be flexible - we'll see.

I'm working a fireworks broadcast tomorrow. Off Monday and Tuesday and I can't wait.

 

[Strings]

Hi Laurie,

Family drama seems to be going around. You've been having ongoing problems with DH's father. It is probably a good thing DH decided not to go without you. He would probably be grilled about the job situation. He's much better off with your suppotive presence thana week inthe sun with his family.

I understand about the advanced notice for vacation. We submitt our requests in January for the whole year. That's part of the reason I went per diem. I just don't schedule myself now. I hope it works out for October.

I hope work is ok today.Have a good one.
Beth

 

[LAinSEA]

Let me start by saying that it is almost a relief to be back to work today. It's like a big breather before a month of craziness starting tomorrow.

Sunday - I worked the fireworks show downtown Seattle. I knew it would be a late night and I haven't been sleeping very well so took advantage of a semi-quite morning and slept in. Didn't get in a walk before going... did eat mostly on plan - but did try a creme desert at the BBQ dinner they catered for us. I didn't get home until 2am because of terrible event traffic.

Monday - DH and I walked together but we cut a little short. I bruised my thigh badly by running into a patio chair in the morning while watering. I spend some time with the kitties outside and re-read the third Harry Potter book (which I started on the Fourth while waiting for the 10pm fireworks show.) We ate on plan totally. DH made some incredible lamb meatballs with a goat cheese sauce and grilled tomatos. The kitties have settled down and come out from under the bed after the noise from our neighborhood "warzone" on the fourth. DH is always welcome to come with me to my gig at the fireworks show, but opts to stay home and keep the cats from climbing the walls. I really wish the neighborhood would stop with the booms and the bangs befor and after the fourth. It's horrible on animals and not real good for sleep.

Tuesday - didn't walk because I was up at 6:30 am to pick up both nieces for the day. We took them to the zoo at Pt. Defiance for the day and did lots of walking there. Lunch and dinner were mostly on plan with the exception of a breve and a shared whole-wheat apple cinnemon roll for desert. The girls were so much fun. They were very good during a very long day - we dropped them home at 9-9:30pm. Their Dad's were quite happy to let us have them for the entire day. Allysa lost her first baby tooth. We let both girls call their mom on the way home to share the news.

Wednesday - Back to work, breve on the way to work (my "free" one on my last card). I'm going to back off to every other day for a while. Walked by myself this morning. DH mowed the lawn...he seemed to be pretty grumpy this morning. Couldn't get him to open up at all.

Tomorrow my next class starts. No instructor has been assigned yet. I'm going to make myself stick to a schedule that allows me to have a day off school each week. During this next month, I have a remote event scheduled, an observation of a new graphics product to attend and a training session I'm conducting for Comcast all scheduled for the same week between July 18-25.

Beth - I'm so done with family drama. I've decided that the best way to handle all of it is to not let it get to me. I can't change the way they are but I can change how it affects me. One day at a time. And you are right, DH doesn't need a week of pressure from his dad and brother about his work situation.

 

[LAinSEA]

I guess it wasn't suppose to be easy, but the requirements for this class are as crazy as the first. 4 weeks this time and yes, more learning team experience. I hope that my other teammate from class #1 and I will end up in the same group again. The larger papers are due in weeks 3 and 4 but there is still a great deal to accomplish each week and mandatory 5 days of 7 attendance. Where the admissions counselors get this 2 of 7, I'll never know. My academic counselor says I can arrange for 2 or 3 weeks off inbetween classes for a vacation but it will make the program last longer. By end of September-first of October, I will be ready for a longer break.

It was really nice to have something to do between shows today though. We did have a busy schedule with 4 regular shows and a big "pep rally" of a company meeting to start the day. But I did get my participation posted and read through my first lecture. (I got through the PDF of our required reading throughout last week so now all I have to do is review.)

Meals: Gotta stop dropping by for a breve on the way to work! Otherwise, all on plan. DH sent me phyllo wrapped salmon with spinach stuffing, asparagus, small green salad w/blue cheese dressing, grilled stuffed chicken breast (goat cheese & tomato) and 1/2 cup cottage cheese for breakfast. I haven't touched the salami & brie snack (2nd day in a roll I haven't needed it.)

Last night, when I got home, we shared some peel and eat shrimp with lc cocktail sauce.

Exercise: I walked for about 50 minutes this morning. Still haven't broken out the firm DVD I picked up a couple of weeks ago at Costco. If its rainy in the am, I will do that instead of walk.

Jeff called around and found me a class to observe on Monday. It's a 10th grade english class in our local district's summer school program. The principal was very happy to set everything up for me. I was surprised that I didn't have to beg permission from the teacher as well. I don't know what I'd do without my DH. He is amazing!

 

[wilderness01]

Your husband sounds like a good guy. Have a great day. Good luck with your new class.

 

[LAinSEA]

Wow for a Saturday - time has just flown by. I spent most of my spare time at work concentrating on my classwork trying to get caught up for the week. I need to be ready to observe the 10th grade english class on Monday. We will have our learning team groups assigned tomorrow.

Meals on plan, Exercise 45 minutes of walking this morning.

 

[DoeWDW]

Laurie, I'm sure your class is keeping you very busy! Hope the observation went well on Monday!

I know you don't have time to post to your journal right now, but want you to know I'm still thinking of you, sending you good thoughts and sending up prayers on behalf of you and Jeff.

 

[Strings]

Wow are you busy. I hope all is going well, and I think a longer break will be needed for October. That salmon dish sounds divine. I'mcsending extra energy your way.
Beth

 

[LAinSEA]

Beth and Doe - thank you so much for your support. I appreciate your kind words and energy so much and I really need it right now.

The "weekend" went OK, no huge papers due for this class week and that allowed me to do a thorough job on all the little assignments. I was also able to keep the classtime to a minimum and spend some time with DH and my folks and nieces.

The observation on Monday was a real eye-opener. I observed a teacher in a 10th grade English summer school class - 22 students (only one girl), all had failed the subject (some twice) during the regular school year. The teacher handled the challenge very well - I was so impressed. She also gave me some great info on what I'll need to do after I get my degree and student teaching and residency cert. to get my pro cert within 5 years after starting teaching. With all the hoops new teachers have to go through in Washington State it's amazing any of them are staying in the profession! But this is really what I want to do and I'm going to stick with. And I'd happily take on the class of delinquents compared to my current job.

Back to work today (Wednesday) and I'm told I'm taken off the event on Sunday because the director thinks I'm "unprofessional". The same director who doesn't get it and did nothing but swear the whole first two broadcasts and was demanding I put up a time for the quarter mile before the horses had left the gate! Of course, my boss and exec. producer aren't interested in hearing my side of the story or even discussing it with talent, the tech. director or the producer - all of which I've talked to and are backing me up. I've been put of double-secret probation and probably won't have a job next week. (They just asked our extremely talented graphics artist to resign his position because he asked to be paid what he's worth ...right now he making $12/hour! and he doesn't seem happy or have a passion for sports! So needless to say, I'm calling all contacts and deparately looking for my own new job because it is apparent that my DH isn't going to be able find one to pay the mortgage.

Whereas I've got a busy enough week without working on Sunday, we really need the OT I would have earned. Another event for next weekend has fallen through as well. I'm not a happy camper at the moment and I can assure everyone that I'm nothing but professional wherever I'm working.

Classwise - it is getting only busier this week and the next and the next. I'm wishing I had more time to DIS. I'm going to look in on everyone tonight and put the reading off until tomorrow.