Hi everyone!
My niece and nephew just left and things are finally quieting down a bit. Yesterday, we ended up taking them to a new place in town that is sort of like a Chuck E. Cheese for all ages. It's called Fun Expedition and it has arcade games, mini golf, a climbing wall, laser tag a soft play/climbing area and bowling. In other words something for all the kids to enjoy. I played Dance Dance Revolution with my niece and that game is a great workout. I might have to go back over there without the kids and just dance my extra pounds away!
Afterwards, we went to a nearby orchard/farm market and got their specialty, which is apple cider doughnuts. These are the best doughnuts you will ever have in your life. I limited myself to one yesterday and one today. I also got some sweet corn and red potatoes, so I could balance the junk out with healthy food.
Last night was the Redskins first pre-season game and I'm a die hard football fan, so we decided to get snacks and watch the game at home. I did a pretty good job of not overdoing on the snacky stuff. I had a lot of my flex points left for the week, so I used them all up and tried to drink a lot of water.
This coming week, I want to focus on staying on plan and getting in some activity since we're leaving for the beach on Saturday.
Seaspray - Hope you're feeling better soon. BTW, the pictures on your Poly TR are absolutely amazing. It's my dream to stay there some day.
Splash - 122 heat index??? This is why I won't move anywhere south of where I am right now. The 105 heat index here was more than I wanted to deal with. We're staying off site in Windsor Hills for our Jan. trip. Where will you be staying?
Vern - Thighs not rubbing together = a cool NSV (non-scale victory). Way to Go!
Delilah - You're almost to that new decade! I'm also hoping that I can get off HBP medication when I'm at goal weight.
Ashley - I'm coming to your house for dinner. That sounds so yummy and I just love Naan. Mangos are also one of my faves. Happy extended Birthday to your dd.
Time to get the kiddos off to bed and then I can catch up on some reading or work on my Disney scrapbook. Decisions, decisions.
Carol
My neighbor has Dance Dance Revolution, and is always asking me to come down & work out with her, but I'd have to bring the two little ones, and Mason is into everything, and with Ramie's peanut allergy, it's too hard to take her to other people's houses & worry what she might touch--my neighbor's family eat a lot of nuts, too, so I would be out of my mind worried.
But, we're going back to homeschooling this year, so with the two older kids home during the day, it would be easier for me to run down to Diana's while the littlest ones are taking their naps. I'm also looking into hiring a sitter once a week. I've never left the kiddos w/ anyone other than my DM, and I think DD3 is going to be the hardest sell, but with her older bro & sis here, I think she'll be okay.
I have some really exciting non-weight news I just have to share w/ my Sistahs! My family is starting a non-profit organization to combat negative societal attitudes about Down syndrome, and to attack the unbelievably high abortion rate of babies with Downs, which is currently about 90%. So I had met a guy on staff at our church (we go to one of the largest Evangelical Christian churches in the DFW area, w/ a membership of about 4000) who was very receptive to hearing about our plans. Basically, our first two major projects are a media campaign (I've already published 2 articles in local publications and we have a DVD aimed at expectant parents in the works), and a residential farmstead where adults w/ cognitive disabibilities will participate in the running of a working farm, as well as in educational programs where school groups will come to the farmstead to learn about agriculture and the role it has played in the development of Texas from the past through today. The goal of that particular program is to get a generation of kids building relationships w/ people with cognitive disabilities so that they will learn that these people are valuable friends and teachers.
Anyway, I talked to the guy again yesterday, and he's asked me to put together a vision/purpose statement for the board of elders so that they can look into the possibility of helping us get things rolling.
I am so ecstatic! I've put together a vision statement, as well as a "virtual tour" of the farmstead on paper, and have sent it out to a few friends for feedback. Hopefully I can deliver it to the church this week.
The goal of this exercise, of course, is for me to *gulp* actually meet with the elders to discuss our plans. Now, I used to be a big time corporate sales rep, visiting clients in 72 story high-rise office buildings in Downtown Dallas. But that was ages and ages ago! Well, 10 years ago. A whole decade! As much as I love to get in front of a group of people and deliver a message, I am just a wee bit intimidated to meet with the elder board. I think that public speaking is so one sided, you can fake competence. The elder thing will be interactive, and they are so gonna figure out that I am just a little ol' housewife who still feels 14. Except when I was 14, I thought I knew everything.
Still, for all my whining about being scared, God has opened up a tremendous opportunity for us, because our church is such an awesome place, and I just know that we will find the resources we need to move forward!
Just had to share with my Sistahs!
Hope everyone is doing well! Hopefully I'll have a chance to get back over to Terry's TR and look at some more Poly pics. I tell ya Terry, you got me lookin at the Poly rates to see if we could by any way swing a couple of days at Poly (we can't--7 people, 2 rooms, DH's bill-
). But you've convinced me that we need to spend a lazy afternoon or evening exploring the grounds, maybe gettin a snacky and letting the kids check out the beach. DS8 is my big-time explorer, so he will love it. And DD12 is at the age where she loves all things posh, so she'll really get into the whole "isn't-this-almost-like-actually-being-in-Hawaii?" experience. DD3 loves sand, so she's on board, and DS2 loves everything, as long as there are people around to tell him how cute he is.
Good night sistahs!
I find these boards to be mostly civil, but I've seen a few "fights" break out. I used to go to a Scrapbooking board that could be very nasty.
Hi to everyone else.
I know you can make 170 by your vacation! I can't believe you got yourself in hot water! We know you are a wonderful person with a heart of gold too and it is just too bad others judge you on just one post! Forget them! 
Denton paper says something, big deal. Now if the Dallas paper says it, well it must be true!). And it was really good. Of course, psycho that I am, I had already decided before leaving the house that I was going to order lasagna. For one thing, since she was treating me to dinner, I figured lasagna is usually a pretty reasonably priced entree. And I was really in the mood for something slathered in marinara sauce & melted cheese (like, what could be better I ask you?) I never, ever order lasagna out, because I like more adventurous dishes, but this time I was in the mood for it. But as soon as I started looking at the menu, my plan unravelled, and I ordered baked tortellini, which was good, but not nearly enough melted cheese. I really wanted to try their homemade pizza, so we'll definitely be going back as a family soon.
and we'd never tattle on you!
), but White Christmas is the one we own and watch over and over I think--w/ Danny Kaye & Bing, right? "We'll follow the old man wherever he wants to go..."
I even had to take off of work this past Tuesday. I'm moving VERY slowly and I have no energy. I'm slowly feeling better though.
)
Plus the a/c ain't so bad either 
I wouldn't move from the A/C at ALL. We had a cool day yesterday, only in the low 70's, that's why the thing with the jeans. I even wore my WL shirt, which had been rather snug, but now fits nicely. Good for you on the food choices, I know what you mean. God bless you on that elliptical, I can't do it. I would rather run a marathon than do that elliptical machine!! But it works for you so keep at it!!
) It is supposed to warm up today, but I think the pool may have cooled off quite a bit with yesterdays rain and cool temps. But I will stay busy and not sit on my booty and eat!!!
. I'm pretty much using one or the other of them constantly, so when I'm drinkin out of my Skins mug, I'll think happy thoughts about you. Or maybe I'll think happy thoughts about apple cider donuts, because those sound deeee-lish! 
. Oh well I just have to keep telling myself that this is a process and it will take time. 
