Good Monday Morning!!!!

Hi everybody - Well, here I sit at work, and it's not as bad as I thought it would be. The office is deathly quiet (a good thing), and I made it to work on the Beltway in about 20 minutes! A new world record! Hope everyone had a great weekend! I was off on Friday, and Mom & I went to see The Devil Wears Prada - we loved it! I had read the book last year not knowing it was going to be a movie, and I'm happy to say that it followed it pretty closely. We had lunch out, too, at Ruby Tuesdays - I love their tilapia, and wanted to order the mashed cauliflower, but learned, sadly, that they had discontinued it, so I ordered a side Caesar salad - YUM-O! On Saturday, I took Kaity & Brian to see Garfield 2 - another hit, in our opinion!!! Then I dragged them all over town running errands - they've learned not to complain too much, because they know a day of running errands could turn into a treat for them - in this case, lunch at McDonald's for them. I love treating them, but think that I've probably created two monsters. Or at least, 1-1/2, Kaity's growing out of the gimme stage, but alas, Brian is fully into it! My fault, I know, but I can't help it. I don't want them to grow into greedy, spoiled older kids, so I need to work on that. Sunday was a day of rest - sort of. I helped Mom prepare some of the foods for our cookout on Tuesday at my brother's. I don't normally like mayo-based salads, but Mom makes THE BEST mac salad with shrimp - it's not sweet, and I usually add a splash of Old Bay to mine - IMHO, nothing is bad with Old Bay!!! Did some typing, or tried to avoid typing, washed/hung out lots of clothes, and ironed enough outfits for this week - love doing that, I actually feel like I've accomplished something! Didn't sleep well, so when the alarm went off at 5:15, I reset it until 5:40. Still feeling kind of sluggish, but the two BIG coffees I've already had should help! Hope you all have a great day! Any plans for the 4th? We're grilling burgers and dogs, neither of which I can eat, but I made some Greek shrimp yesterday and sauteed some chicken for chicken salad, so I'll be fine. It's not such a big deal anymore - food doesn't rule my life the way it used to! Amazing what this surgery can do! C'mon, let's POST, POST, POST! XOXOXO, Teresa

Good morning Teresa Isn't Old Bay one of the basic 4 food groups ??? I'm with you, Old Bay will give a certain dash to just about anything!!! Mr Mo worked the 'late' shift on Saturday so I went out when he left for work about 12:30 and stayed out until about 7:15. I think I pawed through close to every item in the Severna Park Kohls, then Old Navy and on up to Marshalls. I did manage to buy two pairs of Navy blue pants .. capris that are really just barely above my ankles (can you say short stubby legs .. lol) and a pair of full length at Kohls. Then I found a pair of white jeans at Marshalls. It was a depressing day for shopping. Things were either too big or just a bit too small. I may have gotten the motivation to star****ching my food again and try to shake these last pounds. I did do some grocery shopping at BJ's and picked up cat food at Petsmart, so I did have something to show for 6 plus hours of running around. We got a late start yesterday too. I thought we were going to the truck stop for breakfast, but he had Wawa in mind. I managed to get Wawa coffee, but to the neighborhood deli for a breakfast sandwich (I was sick on Saturday night and I think it was the left over 1/2 of Wawa breakfast sandwich that I tried to eat for dinner). By the time we got back, ate, drank my coffee I was ready for a nap. I think I slept at least an hour and a half if not two, and the afternoon was about shot. We got out to do our errands at Sam's after 4. Came home in pouring rain that stopped long enough to bring the stuff in from the truck and poured again. It was time to stuff a West Wing DVD in the machine because with that rain we were not going to get a signal on the dish. I was in bed by 9:15 and sound asleep shortly thereafter. Hoping for a quiet day in the office today. I am hoping that the public doesn't realize we are open and leaves us alone. I've got some easy stuff lined up to do to keep me busy but not stressed. Let's see how that plan works No big plans for tomorrow. I've got some burgers in the freezer. Maybe we will grill. With the holiday in the middle of the week so to speak, we are not likely to do anything too adventurous. Maybe go to the truck stop for breakfast and if we are in the mood for a walk head to Arundel Mills for a lap or two. Talk to ya soon. Hugs & smoochies, Mo

Hi Mo - I sympathize with the depressing shopping - even at 5'7", I have to buy "short" pants - go figure! I've had a hard time of late - it seems like my taste in clothing is changing, and the things that used to appeal to me now seem frumpy. I don't want to dress like a tart, at least not too much!, but I don't want to dress older either. Most dresses that I find in plus sizes seem to be WAAAYYY too long - do they think that just because you're big horizontally you must also be vertically big? I have found some nice tops at Walmart - you have to look closely, and Fashion Bug has been a hit lately, too. I have a dilemma with Kaity, too - because she's a big little girl who hate jeans or anything tight at her waist, I buy her petite capris and they fit her like pants. Try to find capris for the winter, though! I usually end up buying 10-15 pair in the summer and hope that will see her through the school year! Why can't we be like men? Seems like I need some motivation, too. I've got about 50-60 pounds before I reach where I want to be pre-plastics, and I seem to sabotage myself. I'm thinking I should find a good therapist to explore why I do that to myself - you'd think -134 would be enough of a motivator, but alas, I'm at the same point I've been at before - I do really good and then backslide. It's much easier to stay focused at work than at home, so it seems like there are lots of issues to contend with. I also really need to start exercising again - I was doing so well for so long, and things got hectic with the kids, softball, etc., that again, that backslide. I know what I need to do, it's just a matter of doing it. Also, the evil CARBS have reared their ugly heads - I've discovered that I do dump, but I can handle small amounts of good quality bad carbs, if that makes sense. I should just stay away from it all, but again, issues. Sorry you got sick from Wawa - I haven't had a breakfast sandwich from anywhere in a long time. Not a huge fan of breakfast foods for breakfast, so if I don't add my protein shake to my coffee, which is my normal breakfast, I usually will add "stuff" to my eggs so it doesn't seem like breakfast - salsa, cheese, something savory as opposed to carby - crazy, I know. I'm a big fan of leftover pizza for breakfast - thank goodness I can only do one piece, and not the three or four of old!!!! Gosh, I would've paid extra for them to operate on my brain, too! Alas, we have to use this tool, which we know works - I just wish I could maintain my same level of dedication and motivation. I need to go back to the gym, but I tried explaining to my Mom that getting there is half the battle. Most days after work, I just want to come home. If I could channel that into the gym, I'd feel better - I always feel great after I've done it, it's just getting there!!! UGGGHHH!!! Okay, enough whining. I hope you have a quiet day - I don't think our phones have rung much - yet. Don't pass on any customers to us! Did you ever ask Mr. Mo if he remembers the mailman he had to take to the medical center with a dog bite? Just wonderin'! Praying for quiet for you! Love ya, Teresa

Hello Maureen, Yes, Old Bay is one of the 4 food groups. Nadine O

Hey Teresa, I wanted to let you know, I enjoy your post. Unfortunately, I can't post from work any more. We've had an entire system over haul. I plan to go to my Aunt's house for the 4th. She usually puts out a big spread. I have a taste for some crabs. But, If I get those I'll have to be selfish and eat them at home . Have a good one. Nadine O

Hi Nadine! Have a wonderful 4th! I love crabs .. after almost 20 years of living in Maryland I have finally discovered the 'mystique' of crab eating/picking. I could never pick well enough to satisfy my hunger. Now my pouch and my ability to pick crabs are pretty well matched and I truly enjoy the experience. I usually manage 2 to 3 crab feasts per season. They are usually the most expense 5 or 6 crabs in history by the time I pay $40 or so for the all you can eat crab feast, but I enjoy the socializing which is a big part of it also. Hugs, Mo

Hey Nadine - You have email! Teresa