Friday September 29

340 dollars for 8 pieces of attorney-wear is reasonable! They will get a lot of use over the next several months.

Congrats on the floor and I think you did pretty well on the $ for professional work clothing. You said "it's important to me to feel good about my appearance". That's as it should be and YOU ARE WORTH IT!

Thanks! I guess I'm just feeling defensive because I've spoken with some friends who were like "whhhaaaat!! on maternity" or my sister said "I only bought one thing at A Pea in the Pod."

I guess I'll just chalk this up to one of those instances where what people spend money on is different. They go to all the home games, I want to feel good when I put on my clothes every day.

Laughing out loud at the public library (where I've come for internet access and to print out our daily crossword puzzles).

Of course, you need those clothes. And Shel and Liz are right -- you did GREAT for $340. I totally, totally get the clothes thing and how important they have become since we're no longer obese. Totally get it.

Hey BB, I am proud of you for getting those clothes. As a retired attorney who was fat all those years I had so much trouble finding decent comfortable business attire. Glad you decided to go for it. You both need and deserve good stuff even if its temporary. Good for you. Diane S

You rocked the professional maternity budget, are you kidding me !?

206.2 I agree. Good maternity clothes are worth it. Your emotions can go wild and having something you like to wear will make a huge difference. It did to me. Towards the end of my first pregnancy, my mom gave me a new blouse the day of my surprise baby shower, because she knew that I would be more likely to go to their faux event if I had something pretty to wear.

I have been going up to the lunchroom to eat with friends. No ripe tomatoes or peppers this morning, so I treated myself to hot food from the cafeteria. I got grilled chicken breast and plain fresh green beans, cauliflower, broccoli and carrots. I could only eat about a fifth of the portion, which was not a surprise to me. I sat back and was listening to the conversation when one of my friends asked loudly, aren't you going to eat? It's been 3 years, I sometimes forget that people are still watching. I said that I did eat a lot and was full. Shocked reactions and another discussion about the sleeve. I triumphantly said that I can make dinner for my son and me with the leftovers.

Felicitations Fine Friends Finding Freedom, Fitness and Faith

7 F's . How bout that? Thought it up in the car yesterday.

Yuck Liz, big city driving. We had a big dose of that in LA. No fun. But I am so glad your DH is in that trial.

Ann nice that your colleagues remember you. I expected to get quite a few calls after I retired but I got surprisingly few. I tell myself I did a good job of transitioning clients etc.

And hey veggie guru, I found persian cucumbers at the hippy coop yesterday so I am a happy muncher. Unfortunately an ice cream sandwich flew into my mouth last night. I don't usually do that. DH eats them. No weight today since DH was hogging bathroom but I am sure its not good.

So yesterday's excitement was that I started off to the studio in my trusty Prius and suddenly a continuous warning beep began and warning lights lit up about the brake system. I had a million errands to run so I took it home and got my old SUV. Owner's manual said stop driving immediately and get to a Toyota dealer. Ours is 15 miles away and I was afraid it would be unsafe to drive and would have to get it towed and its an expensive repair for a car with 200K miles on it. But after some research and DH the electronics geek fooling with it we discovered that a weak 12 volt battery can cause this and that indeed the battery is low and that I was supposed to change out the battery a year ago. Who knew? So I was prepared to get rid of the car rather than do expensive repairs but I can do a battery. Here's hoping thats true but I think it is. Makes me realize how dependent I am on a reliable car to live my supposedly simple life.

Diane O and Shel I agree we should all try to dismiss the negative energy and be optimistic and grateful. Easier said than done but as the saying goes, don't invite trouble. Que sera sera and all that. But I must keep reminding myself of this as I am a natural born worry wart. But I also am a eagle.

Have a great day all. Our team plays tonight of all things so I will be free of sci fi. And I am on my second serving of caffeinated vegetable. Diane S

Caffeinated vegetable ... lol. Diane, you slay me. Good 7Fs, too.