I'm back from the College Preview (orientation, what have you).
Pearlieq - I am so glad that someone else finds the fruit & walnut salads kind of ridiculus.
Christin - I think you are right on being one of the few to see Pericles. DH didn't know the story (and he's read quite a bit) and DD17 (who knows alot of Shakespeare) hadn't heard of the play before going to London.
Julie - This leaving, being home for a few days, and leaving is starting to wear thin.
Anyway, I am back and now I will do all my updates.
Going back to 6/20 for a brief moment. I managed to stick with my plan fairly well in terms of food. Well, I did have double the amount of tuna on my wrap for lunch because I was starving, but it didn't make a big difference in calories and really increased my protein. I did eat about 8 chips, then put them away quickly. I skipped the pm snack, since I was really drinking alot of water about that time and I just couldn't have eaten if I tried. For supper, DH actually wanted a salad, but nothing heavy like taco, so we made a type of chef salad w/ ham and some shredded cheese. I ate alot of it. For some reason, I was really hungry. At least it was salad. Then I ate 4 chips when the younger kids were eating them. Had 2 nilla wafers and a sm finger swipe of Cool Whip Lite as DD15 put some on strawberries.
It was definitely a busy day with trying to catch up my work and get ready for the college thing. I did make a point out of getting up and moving though and felt really good all day and had TONS of energy. Water was at least 120 oz. The family had popcorn late and I wasn't even tempted.
Moving on to 6/21 -
The day was off to an early start at 5am. I wanted to leave around 6:30, since there was some road construction closer to the college. Breakfast was 1 egg omlet w/ cheese (I was in such a hurry, that I forgot to season it and it was very, very bland), 2 slices of ham, and 1 slice 7 grain toast w/ jelly. I drank 12 oz of water and filled my mug which holds about 24 oz plus ice. There was nothing that was going to derail my need to keep with the plan.
I did have a problem getting DD17 out of bed.
I told her that if we missed it, I was not going to reschedule (it's required) and she would have to figure out how to pay for college without help. That pretty much got her out of bed.
We left about 15 mins late, but arrived in plenty of time. No construction going on, just the cones out (IL is so good for that). Of course, we had no idea where the parking lot was or where to check-in since that was not mentioned in all the info. Finally figured it out and checked in. The first thing they did after the students got settled in the room they were spending the night in was to seperate the parents and students. No surprise to me, but a shock to some. Parents started out in an area where they served donuts to us. I wasn't going to, but I did. I had 1 long john. The only thing I can think of why I did it was the fact that you didn't know anyone and eating at least killed a little time until we were told what to do. It pretty much seemed that this was the case with most of the parents.
Off to seminars. Boy these were fun. The most fun I had that morning was when the parents stood up to do a cheer for the students and we sang "Hit the road Jack and don't ya come back no more, no more, no more, no more". Don't get me wrong, I love my DD17, but letting her figure out life (and relieving the I know everything syndrom around here) is not a bad thing. Lunch was at a deli on campus (students got box lunches
). I ate a Tuna Salad "salad". It was tuna salad (not bad, not great, edible) on a large bed of mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumber & croutons. It really was more than I could eat, but I ate as much as could without going overboard. I really hated not being able to take the leftovers home. It also came with crackers and I did take those home.
Later we met up with the students to go to Academic Advising. Then on to meet the department advisors. We were the only ones in the Anthropology Dept. It's a small department, but maybe also one of the reasons why many of the students have some great careers later, because you get more one on one attention allowing for more questions and learning. Then DD17 and I went to check out one of the stores on campus. After that it was dinner. I had to pay to eat the lousy cafeteria food. There wasn't a large selection. Alot of fried food and I couldn't find the salad bar (which I found later was around the corner where you eat, not where you get most of the food
), so I thought there wasn't one. I had a piece of fried chicken (thought I could eat it skinless, but I caved), a sm baked potato w/ sour cream, sprinkle cheese, sprinkle bacon bits (at first I thought it was the only thing I would eat since the good choices were few, although it wasn't the best choice), and greenbeans and carrots. For a treat, I ate a mini 100 Grand bar that I won during a seminar.
Then seperated again and off to more seminars. BTW, I was refilling my mug of water constantly.
When it was over, the parents could meet back up with the students, go to the parent lounge area, or leave. I went to the parent lounge to listen to the book store rep. They had refreshments there. I ate 2 baby carrots, 5 celery sticks, and a can of Sprite. DD17 was having fun making friends so I left and went to a hotel. There was no way that I was staying in a dorm on a twin bed and sharing a bathroom. Not when I could have peace, relaxation, and a king bed (same price as the 2 queens). That was it. A few slips. Alot of walking between buildings and a long day. Water was 108 oz. I am counting 45 mins of walking as exercise, when DD17 and I were out and about.
Now for 6/22 -
I was up again early this morning. As I was getting ready, I called DD17 at 6:40am to see if she wanted to meet for breakfast. I had breakfast included w/ my room and didn't really want the cafeteria breakfast, but would have met her if she wanted. Thankfully she said no, which was fine 'cause she had breakfast with some new found friends. I packed up and went down to eat. Not alot to choose from. Lots of breads and some fruit. I had 2 mini blueberry muffins (better than a bagel), 1 banana, and about 8 oz OJ.
Back on campus, we had to split up again. I had my mug, but didn't have as many opportunities to refill today. Today was a real bore. Long seminars telling us how we can let go of our students and how to cope. Puleeeeeaz! There comes a time when kids must go learn on their own. If they fail, they will pick themselves up and try again. Besides I have three more at home to irritate.
During this time, the students registered for class, got their University ID's, etc. Some parents were having major cows because they couldn't register their kids. At dinner last night, some were dictating to their kids what they would be taking. Let them do it on their own, they will have to later and how many kids will drop the class that their parents made them take?
Then we met back up and DD17 and I went to the EXPO to get the last tidbit stuff. Oh yeah, she signed up for Military Science (ROTC) for the leadership learning and advantages. It doesn't commit her to the Army (thank God), but will go along way on applications, being a project manager later, and she can possibly be granted a tuition waiver. Sounds good. Also, she is planning on taking a higher Spanish class next semester, where if she does well (she's had 4 yrs in HS), she can get credit for that class PLUS the 2 classes below that. That will put her at Sophmore status before the semester is over (so to speak). Plus she can do a dig in Ireland during the summer. Oh yeah, she is going to have fun.
For lunch we went to the deli. I had a french dip (it had cheddar on it, next time, I will hold that), small bowl of fruit, pickle spear, and ice tea. I could have chosen a little better, but it was fresh and I really was craving it, since I don't come by them often. Most people had left by then, but we decided to check out some more stores to see what was where, buy some software (at the student price) that DH needs to set up for her, open bank accounts, reserve books, look at ideas for making more space in the rooms, etc. Basically, we got done as much as possible so that when everyone is panicking just after move in to get this done, she will be able to relax.
The drive home was long. I ate 1 Reese's PB cup and 1 mini Mr. Goodbar. Don't know why.
DH had supper ready. He attempted fried chicken. Thankfully most of the skin was fried off. I had about 1/3 of a chicken breast, gr beans, sm salad, a crescent roll. It was okay, but he is much better at short order. The rest of the night was spent discussing college and me unwinding. About 48 oz. water. Walking with DD17 today (we covered some territory), I am counting 1.5 hours as exercise. But I have to admit that it felt good to walk across that campus and not be winded (last fall, I thought I wouldn't make it).
I am so worn out and way past bedtime. So now it is time to go.
to realize that by the time you go to your reunion those additional 3.5 pounds may be gone! Someone on the weight watchers boards years ago had a tag line that said something like this: "time is passing anyway. I might as well lose weight along the way." 
It sounds like you are making great use of the time leading up to your reunion -- I hope you have found something totally fabulous to wear to show off the new and improved you!
DD7 and DS didn't sleep very well at all, they kept getting up every 10 minutes and probably didn't get any sleep until well after midnight. I finally finished up my bookwork, bills, etc. But I never really slept that night, I just rested for about 1/2 hour. It is not unusual for me to be up and not sleep before a trip, always been that way. Oh yes, did I mention that TOM showed up. Early. I hate starting a vacation that way. No wonder I didn't have another couple of lbs. off before the trip.
was already getting up so daylight came quickly. I ate 1/2 of a strawberry nutrigrain bar. I had my water and was ready to go. Our vehicle seats 8 very comfortably, but with all the extra stuff and DD17 bringing a friend, it was a bit crowded. Good thing I told everyone to take only 4 days worth of clothing and we would just wash every few days.
DH ran down to the front desk to pick up our 'will call' park tickets. So convenient.
Don't know if I buy that one. 
