Good Morning OFF- It's Monday!

Good Morning to All my OFF Sistas & Brothers! Everyone sounds like they are having some good days, perhaps it is the promise of warmer weather and spring, but I know it changes my whole outlook. . . I had a very busy weekend, which took me away from my computer and I think that it will probably be more like that over the coming weeks. . . I did have a bit of a meltdown on Friday morning when I got on the scale and then went to the gym and got all emotional, my trainer, God bless her, encouraged me and told me that working with weights changes things and that sometimes I will appear to be gaining weight and I should not get overly concerned, well nothing I did not know, but I guess I was just having one of those moments. . .  anyway, I went home after my workout, went to the bathroom, took a shower and when I got out, I decided to get on the scale a 2nd time. . .  well I had lost 2.5 lbs and when I moved it to be sure, it read the same, so I felt a little bit better.  I know, the scale is not what matters, but I just wanted and needed to see a loss after over 2 weeks of being the same.  Anyway, afterwards I took my flats of pansies and the minature rose bush I had purchased, a pretty peach color rose bush and went outside to play in the dirt. . .  what a difference a year makes and losing 68 lbs., instead of pointing to where I wanted things to go, I was the one doing the planting and when I was done, I felt very happy with the results of my labor.  The rest of the day was spent doing things around the house and meeting with friends and a meeting. Saturday Tony came down and we went to breakfast, hung out and then went to Phillie for cheesesteaks, hung out some more until he had to go to work and then I met up with my g/fs for a meeting, after which I went home to bed. Yesterday was a day spent with some futility. . .  I went shopping, well gals, it's time for me to buy clothing in the regular size department, something I've hoped to be able to do for years and now, I can't find anything I like, I went to 3 stores and came away empty handed.  I am a petite person, it seems I am either a 16 or an 18, hard sizes to find in the petite departments, not to mention when I shopped in the "Woman's Department" I knew all the manufacturers and how they were cut and which ones looked good and so on, well I was just overwhelmed yesterday with all the choices and I did not want to try on clothing either, but the truth of the matter was, there were very few items to select from and none that I would wear. . .  it feels good to have such problems and I'm sure I'll be more successful the next time I go out there.  I can't believe that I am shopping regular departments! Thanks for your support and love, Hugs, Laureen

Are you ready for more advice from your older sister? Always stop at the jewelry store FIRST. Diamonds fit everybody. Then if you don't find clothes, you still have a nice bling bling to smile about. Seriously though, you will adapt to the new sizes and departments. As my Dad used to tell my daughter's "you would look good, bare naked with your hands in your pockets".  

Hi Aime and all my OFF friends, Aime, your visit with N, LP and your mom sounds wonderful.  Four generations all together must have been mighty special.  Wonder what's up with the nose? HMMM  let us know, and also let us know how your 18 month check up goes. We went to see Baby Momma yesterday. It was entertaining, but not "hilarious" as one client told me.  Oh well, it was very nice to get out and about somewhere other than work or the grocery store. I'm on a cooking jag today. Since I have to work late every night this week, I thought I'd get a bunch of things cooked up over these two days off. Yesterday I poached two whole chickens and de-boned them, froze the meat from one, and will use the other today to make sour cream enchiladas.  I've had the pintos cooking for almost an hour already, long and slow until they break down.  They're better than refried since they only have enough olive oil in them to cook the onions. Then,  I'll make Mexican rice and some fresh salsa.  Of course there's more food here than needed for an army, so I'll package some of it up and take to work tomorrow, and I have a friend who tore all the ligaments in her sternum last week, so I'll take some to her so she won't need to cook for a couple of nights.   It feels good to have enough energy again to do things like this. Annette, you should be a writer!  Your stories about the cats are so funny, and  you describe everything so well I feel like I'm in your craft room watching everything fly! Hope everyone's Monday is terrific. 

Susan, I saw Baby Momma yesterday too!  I agree, entertaining, funny, but not hilarious.  George went fishing and went to the movie, shopping, Starbucks...  Left home at 10:00 AM, returned at 3:00 PM.  Your enchiladas and pintos sound delicious, what time is dinner?  We could feed an army when I start my marathon cooking too.  George calls it refrigerator overload!

If you were to leave now and stay under the radar, you might make it for dinner.  We'd love to have you!! I've gotten to the point where I only cook on my days off. Less stress, more enjoyment.  Used to be I'd feel guilty about not cooking a big meal every night, but Gary doesn't mind leftovers at all, and I'm over the guilt.  WLS has set me free  hugs

save some dinner for me-i'll be late-radar or no!!! michael always cooks for an army and says they are NOT leftovers!!! he is using the stove (and electric0 wisely!

Aime, I am so glad that you got spend time with LP. I bet he is getting pretty big now. He seems to be thriving and that is the important thing. I know that he knows and loves his grandma very much. Babies know who loves them and takes care of them. I am glad too that your mom got to see him. There is a special bond between great grandmas and the babies. I saw that with my mom and her great granddaughter.  Hope that things go well for you at the doctor tomorrow. I also think that you need to look into that nostril problem too.

Aime, I used to use a saline spray when I used the machine. Two different bottles both Simply Saline: sterile saline nasal mist and sterile saline nasal  mist allery and sinus relief.  I especially liked the allergy and sinus relief one as it dries my sometimes runny nose. Might be worth a try. Karen PS Mike still uses a CPAP and sometimes gets congested and this helps him too.

Good morning to my OFF family. I see that everyone seemed to have a wonderul week end. I did too, but have one question~why does the week go so slow and the week end goes so fast!? I just don't understand that one at all! Today the sun is shinning so bright. I always like it when the sun is out even if it snowing while it shines. The weather man said that it suppose to get to around 70 here today. I sure hope so. I have been so cold all morning.  Bill went and paid for his ticket today. He and I got into an arguement one day just before he left for work and took off without buckleing his seat belt. He never does that but he did that day!!!! Sure enough just as soon as he pulled out he got pulled over for it. He tried to talk the cop into a warning but he told Bill that he couldn't do it and had to write a ticket for it. So we are now $25.00 poorer but I am glad that was given to him before he got on the toll road that day and that the fine wasn't more. lol Bill just planted some hostas this morning in the back on the patio area. He is so into planting. Now me~I like to look at the flowers but don't ask me to play in the dirt. I just don't care for that at all. We went shopping yesterday for a new glider for the patio but couldn't find one. We have a canopy swing but it is has pretty well bit the dust. Bill wants a glider and I wouldn't mind one either but I would like to have a canopy since the sun is going to be beating down on my tender little head. We found a swing with a canopy at Lowes but nothing at Menard's or Sears Hardware. At least nothing that we cared for. I didn't think it was going to be major shopping exstravaganza for a dippin' glider or swing. We are limited for space too so that is a consideration too.  I have bible study tonight. It is on woman of the bible and the last one for this is going to be on the monday before Memorial day. I jave really enjoyed this one. It is just so informative and since most of the people attending is women we get into some really good discussions. this one is my most favorite on out of all of them. I just wish that it could go on and on.  I better get going. I have some things to do. Most of today is going to be spent at home. I am acutually going to make Bill dinner tonight. We ate most of the meals from the week end out. I hate doing that but we were on the go so much. Oh well now it is going to be different. Have a good and blessed day all. I am sending love and hugs to all. Prayers going up for everyone and special ones for those who need them.

Aloha and good morning Off family....

Aime...how wonderful to hear about your time with LP.....and I love the visual of you talking to him and him grinning and trying to make mouth movements. That's COMMUNICATION!!

Next Monday.........ALL THINGS GOING AS THEY SHOULD......I should be holding my own little brand new bundle of joy who as yet has no name. My son and DIL are hurrying to get their new home put together for his arrival, but I have a feeling there will be lots to do when I get there Friday morning. That's fine with me.....and I'm eternally grateful that I have a body that now lets me work, stand, move freely without carrying around that extra 160 lbs.!!! My little grandsons are NOT going to recognize their tutu, I'm afraid....so I'll have to do lots of hugging and kissing and playing with them til they get it that I'm still their tutu only tall and skinny and not just BIG and SOFT!!

I spent the weekend working on getting things ready for my departure......it's so different having people coming to stay in your home while you are gone than just leaving. I'm even doing things like cleaning the top of the refrigerator!! My cleaning angel has never cleaned up there and I haven't either, so you can imagine the sticky mess.....uh huh.

Excitement is beginning to wiggle into my mind now that I'm just a few days from leaving. It has been WAY TOO LONG since I've seen my grandsons. They were supposed to come for Christmas, but because the new baby was on the way.....we postponed so that I could come for his arrival.

Time to dig into a few more hidden spaces that MUST be full of kitty hair, gecko poop, and cane dust! Here goes your sister white tornado yet again!! Have a great Monday!

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen