Sally, Sally, Sally

I am so sorry I forgot to thank you. I received your package for September the other day and before I knew it time flew. Thank you SO MUCH for the ladybug mouse pad and the lady bug. I do appreciate it so much. I am sending you a big hug and an apology for not saying thank you sooner. You are the best and I appreciate you...... ~~hugs and well wishes~~ Chris

Dear Chris, In all truth these last few weeks have been so hectic that today is the first day I had a chance to log on and check the board. I'm glad you liked them. While I am primarily an administrator, I also teach so I've been scrambling to get all the end of year reports done, teach a week long program, and prepare for my class that starts today (I'm still finishing the syllabus). And the dog park association I'm part of had a big event Saturday as well! It has been really tough to fit in exercise now that things are in full force. And as much as I don't like to exercise, I do see a difference in the weight loss when I do. The eating is still pretty good with just occasional "binges" of ten saltines. I have to laugh at being stuffed when I overeat 10 crackers after years of eating entire pizzas. How are things at your end? I don't really follow sports, but now I do notice when the Yankees are mentioned. They seem to be doing really well. I've only been to New York once--Buffalo to go to Niagra Falls. I've lived in seven different states but never in the northeast. I always wonder about the winters being so cold and snowy. Well, take care and have a great month. Sally

Sally I am glad you are doing well. I have also tried to exercise and the only thing I seem to enjoy is the walking. I am trying to walk at least 2 miles per day!I just bought myself an IPOD Nano..... I am 7 months out as of today and have lost 110 pounds (total) I am loving life! The winters here are not as bad as they sound.Sometimes we get lots of snow and other times hardly any. Niagara Falls is beautfiul too. Especially the Canadian side. My husband and I went to the falls on the Candadian side last weekend. We seem to be spending more time together as the kids get older. I have only lived in two states and one was when I was eight..The rest was spent here. But as long as I have my husband and kids I do not care where I am. Good luck with your teaching.....And give your dog a hug. (what kind is it? I have two dogs both black labs one is german shephard mix and the other is springer spaniel mix. They are great..... ~~hugs and well wishes~~ Chris

Dear Chris, Congratulations on the weight loss of 110! Fantastic. I have about 60 lbs. more to go to reach my surgeon's goal, but won't make that by the one year mark. Maybe the 18 month mark though. And friend and I took a trip to Niagra Falls and did get to the Canadian side. It was in early spring, so there were still frozen bits, but we didn't have to fight crowds. I am always amazed by nature. I lived on the coast of Oregon when Mt. St. Helen blew up, so got an upclose look at the power of volcanos. I remember waking up that morning and wondering why everything looked so dim. We had inches of ash covering everything. Whenever your in a fight with nature, just count on nature winning! My dog, Spenser, is a sheltie but I call him a prehistoric sheltie because he is bigger than the standard. The standard is 13 to 16 inches at the shoulder, but Spenser is 24 inches. He looks like a small collie--which many people mistake him for. He is a barker but otherwise a sweetie. How can you not like a dog that knows the command "cuddle up"? He is my first dog and rather spoiled. But then again, so is my cat, Sylvester. He always wants to go out but can't, so I sit outside with him in my lap so he can get some fresh air. There are a lot of labs and lab mixes out at our dog park. Labs and golden retrievers are probably the most popular. But this weekend we had "weiner dog races" and I was surprised by how many daschounds there were around here. Well, I got the syllabus done for today; now I have to start preparing the lesson for Friday. Maybe I'll get caught up over Labor Day. Have a good holiday weekend, Sally