Nothing catchy about the title. lately i have felt like life is just passing me by and i have come to realise that i need to get my zest for life back..i need to grab life by the throat again and make the most of every single day!
Recently my son was diagnosed with a learning disability and that saw me revisit a cycle of poor eating habits that i really thought after 5 years at goal i had beaten....i have been sick with bronchitis which has ruled out the gym..exercise for me has always been a natural antidepressant so without it for the past couple of weeks i have been feeling low and lethargic and having a pity party.
i am ready to put this past 2 weeks of bad eating and slothlike inactivity to rest. i am journalling my food and feelings again on paper which in the past has always helped me. i went back to the gym today and burnt off 550 calories..
i am not going to find a way to blame myself for everything that doesnt go according to plan..i will give myself credit when i deserve it and not be my own harshest critic.
i am not going to hide out from DT..i have made so many wonderful friends here and i need them as much as they need me..
so the positive Bell is back.......TO STAY!
hugs bell :)

Hi Bell :wave:

I seen a picture Tuesday night at a business I was cleaning and when I seen the title of your new journal it made me think of it.

It was a picture of this huge bird - a crane and there was a little frog in its mouth - BUT the frog had its front legs wrapped around the cranes neck so tight - the crane could not swallow the frog lol - the words with the picture said "never give up" :D


Beth :dance:

Bell, glad I found your new journal. I'm glad you're here to stay, as we would all be lost without you! You say we give you so much support, but I think it's the other way around! You are going to kick this funk, and do well. Great job at the gym! I'm proud of you. Not many people would "grab life by the throat" and get back on track. Most would say, "Oh well, I gave it my best. I wasn't meant to have good things happen to me. Poor me." You're such an awesome person!

Keep up the good work. Have a great day! :D

Thanks Beth and Rikki for stopping in to visit me at my new journal...you know me...i like to have visitors stopping in to say hi!
Even with going out for dinner last night with friends my eating and exercise for the day still turned out great.. i had some pork and vegetables for dinner and skipped dessert. didnt drink alcohol even though i had planned to have a couple just didnt feel like it in the end..the fact that a lot of the people at the place we went to had been drinking and were loud and obnoxious probably helped in that regard!we went out to see a tribute band last night that play all the Eagle's songs..i must admit i was too young for some of their earlier stuff but when they started playing there 80's stuff it was AWESOME!!
Working today and tomorrow and then having Monday off to spend time with the family.
well better get my butt moving. should take Casper for a walk.
hugs bell :)

Good Morning Bell,

I read your first entry of your NEW JOURNAL .... and it made me see :O that those OLD HABITS :lapd: stick around AND WE MUST CONSTANTLY BE ON GUARD that they don't KNOCK US DOWN :blackeye:

Take care my friend and know THAT EACH DAY BRINGS NEW PURPOSE AND MEANING IN THE QUALITY OF OUR LIFE (that's something I have to keep reminding myself -- not to allow the FRUSTRATIONS OF LIFE get to me). Have and make it a great day. I am as always, Monica

Hey Bell,

I know the feeling of not coming here as often. I think I am doing that right now. I didn't want to come to chat last Monday but I knew people would be looking for me. LOL.

Glad you are feeling better and back on track.

Is there some good support for your family and son to help him with his learning disabilities? There is so much more knowledge out there to help kids now a days.

saw your new journal today. Hang tough , life throws us curves. This year i will be 56, i find maintaining gets harder and harder. Not due to going off program, but the bodies system keeps changing and slowing. For me the priority is to be able to keep mobile/active and be able to enjoy life physically and with good health . Had to take my two cats to the vet, they both had skin allergies, now just think of how fun trying to get down cortizone meds into these two smart cats. I succeeded the first day, not the second they remembered! will have to think of a new method, this is not easy! LOl hope the family is well.

Good afternoon friends!
well i am just home from work and resting my tired feet whilst enjoying a strong cup of coffee.. i finished one shift at 10.30 pm last night and had to start back on another shift at 7am..needless to say i am tired!
Its a long weekend here in Australia for the Queen's bday so i am going to spend the day with Jason and the kids tomorrow..maybe take the bikes out for a ride or the dog to the beach..something outdoors as even though its winter (supposedly) the weather is still gorgeous and sunny!
i have a full week of shifts next week at work plus some training so i will make the most of my day off on Monday.
i am so enjoying working where i am now..makes for such a pleasant change. to not be stressed about going to work but just going and enjoying it and everyone being nice helps a lot too..i have found in the past at my old workplace that people were unfriendly and unhelpful to new people..luckily i havent had that experience here.
my eating has been good since i got my butt back on program..have been getting lots of exercise in and eating plenty of fruit..bought a beautiful kiwi fruit to work today and it was soooooo sweet.
should go and get some washing done and put my feet up before the hordes come home from the inlaws place.

Monica- some days when i am feeling negative i get angry about the whole maintenance thing being a life sentence lol...why cant you work hard to get there and then relax? unfortunately its not to be for me( or many others)..i have to stay vigilant and thats ok..because i want to stay at goal feeling healthy and being active so the hard work is worth it.
Nancy- thankfully there is a lot of support for my son with his condition which we are very grateful for. we went and saw a great school program that he will be doing next term that specialises in learning disabilities..i have also found some great online and meeting type groups that also have children with the same syndrome. it feels great to be back on track too.
Judith- when i think about it the biggest curves i have been thrown in life have made me the person i am today so i need to learn to just deal with whatever life throws my way lol. i dont envy you the job on giving meds to your cats thats for sure lol.
well should get some housework done i think.
hugs bell :)

Just wanted to say Hi and thanks for stopping by my journal. How old is your son? My daughter is only 2 so it's hard to tell how much extra learning help she'll need until she starts school. We see a physical therapist and a developmental teacher every month though and from their evaluations she's on a 13-15 month level. She's about that same size too. She's 26 months old right now. It is quite a challange, but I look at it like, I was given a special child because I was worthy and capable of taking on that challenge. Also some of the best advice I was given on raising a "special needs" child is.. never say "my child can't do this" always say "My child CAN do this" Look at all their strengths and accomplishments, don't dwell on the things they are behind in doing. They will meet those goals, they just do it at their own pace. It took me a long time to accept this and look at things in a brighter view, but I realized I need to for her.

I am so happy your job is going well Bell :)

Enjoy your day off :D

Beth :dance:

responding to your post on 6/5/05
* THIS POST WAS WRITTEN IN YOUR OLD JOURNAL

BELL – I know what you mean about working one permanent shift. My brother’s fiancé works as a head clerk at a grocery store, and she’s always on different shifts. She never knows from week to week how her shifts are going to be. I’m glad that you like the people that your working with that’s always a plus. Your positive attitude is wonderful. I wish you the best of week.

:rose: Katherine

responding to your post on 6/6/05
*this post was written in your old journal

BELL – how wonderful for you being able to sleep in that extra time. I know how much your need yoru extra sleep, so I’m always glad to read when you get some. What you wrote about getting a permanent shift and scheduling yoru gym time is right on the mark. I’m crossing my fingers for your permanent time soon.
I see that Casper is still running you wild. Do you get to do much gardening this time of year? Being that it’s almost winter where you live? The flowers that your planning on planting sound lovely.

Caitlin sounds like a wonderful big sister. She seems very grownup for such a tender young age. I’m really sorry to hear everything that your going through with Riley.

:rose: Katherine

Hi Bell! Nice new digs! :) You celebrate the current queen's bday? We have the May 2-4 weekend (in Canada, we call a case of 24 beers a "two four" and Queen Victoria's birthday was May 24th.. ) in Canada. Whatever gets us a day off, eh?

Good stuff on going back to the gym. Have you tried spinning yet?

Corinna

afternoon pals,
we celebrate the Queen's bday today even though its not here bday..but as you say Cori...anything for a day off :D
we took the kids to the beach and they both ran amok as usual..even though its the start of winter the weather is still beautiful and i even got a little sunburnt.. the water was cold but that didnt stop the kids from getting SOAKED 8-| we had some lunch while we were out and have just got home..Caitlin has dancing this afternoon so that suits me fine..i will do some gardening or watering and not much else.
Tiaragwin- Riley is 5 and a half..he has had a speech delay for a couple of years so thats what got us sent to the paed..then the other diagnosis came out..even though it was upsetting in a way it was also good to have a name for some of his personality traits which i had trouble understanding. i got sent a great poem the other day by someone here that i will find and PM to you..it was about dealing with a "special" kid..really touched me.
Beth- i am surprised at how easily i have fot in at my new workplace..should have made the switch sooner thats for sure!
Kath- the weather is great year round so gardening is 12 months of the year...dont get frost or snow or even much rain really so the watering is the main problem..have to water a lot as we dont get much natural moisture (rain). Thanks for the thoughts on Riley..we will get there. Caitlin is a great girl..very mature for her age and a great sister to Riley.
Cori- i am going to ditch some training i was supposed to do tomorrow and do it next month instead all on one day and head to the gym again..havent done spinning yet..must be the only class they dont offer at my gym..they do offer it at one of the other clubs associated with mine..should give it a go. i am very impressed with you Ms Thang..i love reading about your exercise..even more diverse these days which is AWESOME!
well the kids are calling.
hugs bell :)

Hi bell.
Glad you had a nice day off. The beach sounds fab. Wish there was a beach here. I think I was born to live on the beach. That just doesn't seem possible, though. I say I'd like a big exciting city, but I've been a midwestern girl my whole life. 8-|

I am really glad you are enjoying your new job. Makes life lots nicer, I think.
You are doing great.

What is your fav. Eagles song? Do they sing Hotel California? That's my favorite.

Have a great day! :D

They do sing Hotel California, Rikki..thats one of my faves too.. this band also sang songs that the band members bought out when they went solo also..so i loved Boys of Summer by Don Henley..reminded me of when i was a kid growing up.
i grew up on the beach in Sydney and the beach we go to here doesnt really compare to the Sydney becahes but it will do.. we dont get there often enough though..the kids love it when we get the chance though!
not sure whats on the agenda for today...looking at my laundry i would suggest some washing and folding..think i will go to blockbuster first so i have some company while i do my folding. i havent seen Alfie yet and want to so Jude Law can keep me company!
will get some exercise in somewhere today too.
hugs bell :)

Thanks for your reply, I think I'm just feeling like this because I am stressed and depressed so I need something to blame it on lol. :laugh:

Let me know how you like Alfie. I wanted to see that movie.

I have this techno remix of Boys of Summer by DJ Sammy. It's a pretty good mix. There is a punk version out too, but I don't like that one as much.

Have a great day! :D What are your exercising plans?

i am procrastinating as usual...house really needs some attention but i know i will feel better if i do some exercise first..waiting for my work to open the office so i can call and reschedule my training til next month.
yoga is the class at the gym this morning..feel like something more hardcore than that..not feeling like the dreadmill..Casper looks like i wants a run..
see so many possibilities...:)
i liked the DJ Sammy version of Boys of Summer...havent heard the punk version..that sounds scary :laugh:
Tiaragwin- stressed out i can relate to..dont give in to that pizza.
hugs bell :)

well i managed to squueze some housework and an awesome workout in at the gym..so i can have the best of both worlds :D
the house is looking less like a bomb site..still wading through washing though..thats what happens when you get all the winter clothes out of storage..they then need to be washed AGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!
did 70 minutes cardio at the gym..bike/treadmill/elliptical..burned 560 cals..i so didnt want to go there..tried everything to convince myself it didnt matter if i didnt go... but once i was there the endorphins took over and it felt great to sweat..i have never really liked the ellipitical but lately i am finding it better..burns loads of cals too so i should get on the thing more often.
got Alfie out and will watch it over the next couple of days sometimes between work and life etc.. will let you know how i like it Rikki :)
hugs bell :)

Bell - I too have a bomb that went off in my house lol I am cleaning ! :laugh:

I don't know how to deep clean and make my house stay looking nice while I am doing it - it always looks like a mess when I am spring cleaning lol :shrug:

way to go on going to the gym ! :dn

Wishing you a great week ! :D

Beth :dance:

i dont think there is a way to keep your house clean while cleaning intensively..if there is we need to find out and travel round the world showing people how to do it and making millions of $$$$$$ :laugh:
i am about to head off to work..my bed felt so nice and warm this morning i didnt want to get out..especially as its raining...i love staying in bed reading on a rainy day..seeing as we get maybe 2 rainy days a year i may be waiting a while to catch another one!
Our neighbours love to fish and they caught a huge mackeral a month back and gave us some huge steaks which i froze..we ate them last night with some garlic, ginger and chilli..they were delicious..a bit bony though..i dont eat enough fish..i really should eat more i suppose considering all the health benefits.
Thanks for your sweet PM Beth..it was a nice way to start the morning.
hugs bell :)

Me Belly Boo....

Hey Babes.. How the heck are you? Oh Your doing well I see. 2 weeks with no exercise, Oh I shutter.. Lol.. Sorry, I wish I had only been gone 2 weeks, instead of now 6 months. OH MY GAWD.. I just realized that. Huh... No fricken wonder my ass fell back down... Hmmmm.

See what I find when I come to your journal... And I even found some inspiratation, cause its all about me!!!!!!! LOL

Glad to see your back at it bell. Any good flicks lately? MMMM You know whats good? Grilled Tuna steaks.. YUM!

I said a pray for your baby.... I'm sure though that he will have thee best of thee best he has you as his MUM! (hug)

Hey Maxi!!!!!!!!!
babe i am so glad to see you posting here at my new abode..i sure miss you around here! i know how busy you are sweetie..but check in now and again so we can get our Maxi fix, ok?i havent seen much in the way of good gory movies lately..going to watch Alfie sometime tomorrow.
work was good today but man are my feet sore..i am working a short shift in the morning and am going to take my gym stuff to work so i can head straight to the gym after work.
not much else to report..life is good.
hugs bell :)

all in all a productive day...
worked this morning and came home to change and go to the gym..i am taking a magazine or book with me to the gym so that i dont clock watch so much on the treadmill..i did 60 minutes of cardio today and burnt 570 cals.. its definately time for a new pair of shoes though as my feet were hurting like heck on the elliptical today..the soles of my feet felt like they were burning...
have to get back to the weights this Saturday and my PUMP class.eating has been good today.lots of fruit and water and healthy stuff in general.
looking forward to a sleep in tomorrow morning.
hugs bell :)

Hi babe miss ya. Your doing great. Give me some of that willpower or strength. Love ya. ;) :hug:

nice to see you stopping in sweetie. i came by and visited you this morning.glad to see all is going well with your daughter and grandbaby to be!
We had a meeting at Rileys special education unit this morning and took him with us to show him around..one thing that has really opened my eyes is that some children with Asperger's Syndrome benefit from things being written down or drawn more so than explaining something verbally..i have always explained what i am doing to Riley to lessen his anxiety when going to the doctor etc(which he hates) but he has still gotten upset. since i have been using picture boards or drawings the anxiety has lessened a lot...so thats one strategy that i have been using. i have gotten lots of tips from parents of other kids with AS.. so the meeting went well so well that Riley didnt want to leave the place as he was having too much fun drawing and playing with the other kids.
The kids are on 2 weeks holiday starting today so i have to come up with some fun stuff to do as i wont be working much other than weekends and the occasional night shift..so maybe it will be like a holiday for me too!
My nighbour came over last night asking about joining the gym that i go too..so i am going to keep at her about coming with me even just to try it out..she has been wanting to for a while but has the gym anxiety happening, which i totally understand as i had it for 2 years!
hope to make it to gym in the morning for my PUMP class if my work doesnt ring for me to do an early shift..fingers crossed :D
hugs bell :)

well i didnt get called for a shift yesterday which was nice in a way..i have enough hours already for the fortnights pay so its not a big deal...i got to go to my PUMP class..i didnt want to appear like a weakling so even after 3 weeks of no PUMP i didnt decrease my weights from my usual..the fact that i can hardly walk today due to tight as hamstrings and no doubt my thighs are seizing up as we speak from hellish squats...ah well..it felt good while i was there..i got 3 sessions in at the gym this week and my eating has been 100% good with no slips so far...something to feel good about.
well need to get to work.
hugs bell :)

Ha! I think we share an ego.. I would feel like a lame-ass for reducing the weights, too.

Back to lifting, eh? I hear ya. I was SO sore from the bench press DH made me do! Ah well. It makes us stronger, doesn't it?

Miss chattin' with ya on a consistent basis, but I'm just trying to get a little caught up, as I don't have a whole lot of time to do email!

Keep up the great work, babe! :D P.S. My sister likes your avatar. Bubbles is her fav. PPG!! (I like Bubbles too!)

I almost missed your new digs, see what happens when I leave for a few days???

You're strong and will weather these changes brilliantly (you have to, you're this huge rock of inspiration to me :D )

Big :hug: -s!

i have just been at your new digs..so go back and answer my question about your sister :D
i havent been feeling that inspirational lately but i appreciate the thought any way Jess..i am feeling more in control than i have in the past few weeks..food and exercise is on track and personal stuff is being sorted out. found out today that our neighbours son has been diagnosed with Aspergers also.
Cori- i am seriously wishing i had of decreased my chest press weight at the least as my chest feels like it has a brick on it and there is no chance of me lifting my arms above my head..doesnt help much when you have to lift people around all day as part of your job!
Rikki- i have just been to your journal and know you are having a great time with your family and thats why you are not posting much..make the most of it i say!
Worked today..must say i didnt feel like getting out of bed this morning as it was rainy and cold..but Sundays rate of pay is to good to pass up.
Jason bought me a new pair of gym shoes yesterday.. probably got sick of me whining about my sore feet..i suspect he did it to get in the good books and out of helping me with the housework..either way it worked..i took Casper for a run yesterday afternoon and they felt so much better than my old ones..no sole burning anyway!
well better go.
hugs bell :)

YAY NEW SHOES!!!!

In my Abnormal Psych class we were talking about Autism in general and how the incidence of it has increased tenfold in a very short time... Autism itself is such a huge diagnosis, and there's such a spectrum of traits, that if you know anything about it you realize how many people have it...In general, with Abnormal Psych (gah, abnormal sounds horrid!) there's so much "abnormality" that we all fall into...Depression, anxiety, ADHD, ODD... Basically kids who had, in past, been considered "different" are now diagnosed with disorders, now that there are names for oddnesses...(don't know if that makes any sense, hope it doens't sound mean or harsh...)--the good news is, "abnormal" is becoming more "the norm" and with a greater understanding of things, we can get help so much more readily than we ever could have... Dunno if I'm rambling nothingness or being helpful...I mean to help, to let you know that you're not alone but you ARE phenominal :)

For cruds sake, you guys stay up late.......ooooooooh thats right I guess it is morning time in Australia.

Sorry to hear about Riles having a bit of a go at life, hell be fine for sure. Brothers kid "Ian" has the same thing. We did a radio talk thing on it, just a two minute talk on the emotions that go with finding it out, will send you the link.

Sounds like you quit exercising. Well I think it is good for you to relax a bit and just take it easy.

Hello Bell,
Just popping in to say hello. Happened to be "in the neighborhood." LOL

I know you are having it a bit rough right now, but just by being your rathional self, you will learn all the tricks and techniques that will make the bad not quite so bad any longer. Hard to believe right now, but it will come.

My best wishes are always with you and yours Bell. Please take care.

what you posted made complete sense Jess..as always! didnt sound mean..its exactly what i have realised..years ago when someone had a few pecuiliarities they were thought of as odd..now there is a name for it..one of the doctors more or less dismissed the diagnosis as just the latest thing being thrown around, as with ADD..i dont believe that at all.. there are too many pieces fitting together that Riley is definately an Asperger's case..it doesnt make me love him any the less just better able to understand whats going on in his head.
Jumpy- i was thinking about you during the week and how life was treating you..great to see you visiting.. i would love to see that link when you get time to post it..i had bronchitis for a couple of weeks and was off exercising..i felt like crap and ate similarly..i have been back on the healthy living wagon for the past week and feelin good..you know me exercise is something i need to even out my mood as well :laugh:
Sandie- Thanks Sandie..i believe that learning all that i can is my biggest weapon against this. i already feel a lot less lost with the whole thing.Thanks for your thoughts!
raining again today so Jason is home as well..rain = no fencing..kids want to rent DVD's and eat popcorn..they slept in the tent inside last night so want to have an idoor camping experience today i guess..i am working this afternoon so i will leave Jason to it..
i should go to the gym and try and work out some of this soreness..that or take Casper for a run..not sure what my chances are of the rain stopping though.
well gotta go.
hugs bell :)

thank the Lord my muscles soreness has gone today..i couldnt move yesterday..just toom a walk to relieve some of the soreness and it worked..my hamstrings are a little sore still but so much better than they were.
I am looking after my best friends daughter(4) today as she is working night shifts still..i remember only too well what its like to try and sleep with kids running amok in the house..so i have 3 kids running amok here instead lol.. its cold here today and windy so we are indoors at the moment..are going to take the bikes and scooters and the dog for a run after lunch to burn off some cals for me and some energy for them.
Am going out for dinner the next two nights so need to burn off as many cals as possible to counteract any extra cals i might consume.
hugs bell :)

yesterdays play date with best friends daughter went pretty well...we only had a couple of small incidents over who's turn it was to play with something..we took the scooters and bikes out after lunch and went for a 60 minute scoot/ride around the duck pond. i forget how my kids are used to exercise..my friends daughter found it hard going lol..belinda..how much further is it???? LOL..it was one heck of a wrokout though..they go so fast on the bikes and scooters and of course Casper sees them and wants to run..so i ran most of the way so definately a good calorie burner..
Normally in the school holidays its impossible to get the kids into the gym daycare..i rang on the off chance i could get a day for next week..they have put extra workers on so the kids can go everyday if they want..cool...i wont have to miss my workouts and the kids love playing there with the other kids! eveybody wins!
retail therapy today..trying to find a bday present for MIL as its her bday today.. Riley has a Dr Seuss thing happening at the moment and i am soooooo over reading Cat in the Hat..need to find another Dr Seuss to at least alternate with :)
later
bell :)

I'll see if I can't find any good Seuss-y titles!

happy, happy gym days!!!

Hey Jess,
The Cat in the Hat comes back and Horton Hatches an Egg are our latest 2 additions to what seems to be a never ending library..i love to read so am happy to pass on one healthy addiction to them lol.
hugs bell :)

Heh. We had cat in the hat comes back and it annoyed me, I LOVE Horton Hatches the Egg... Yep, I can see bell's kids now, two fit and gorgeous Aussies, running with a book in hand :)

Bell, Josh got back today from you rcountry, he loved it there, said everyone is very friendly, like here, we all wave when we pass each other. H ewas there 6 wks, although he did travel to New Zealand for two of those.

Hi Bell,

I found your new journal. I have been gone for a while. David and I and more family went to London for a week. We were gone longer than that, 6/6 to 6/16. We were in London when the Queen celebrated her birthday with a parade. We actually went to Paris that day so didn't get to see her and didn't have to deal with the traffic problem.

Remember I told you my daughter had a Jack Russel Terrier. Well, Maggie died while we were at her house. She had lived 2 1/2 years longer than the vet said she would but it was still so sad. Rhonda and her husband buried her up on their hill and we left about noon for our trip. We all felt so bad for Rhon and family. Maggie was such a cute dog, hyper, but so sweet. She had a growth on her heart that restricted her heart from pumping enough blood. She had trouble breathing when she got excited. We think she got overly excited by all the suitcases. She knew that they meant someone was going somewhere. She just couldn't get enough oxygen into her system. Our SIL is a doctor and Rhon said he was in tears also. He held her head and petted her until she died. I guess this is too much info. Sorry.

I hope Riley will like his school. These days there are so much help for kids it is almost a miracle what they can do to help them. You can deal with what you understand.

Well, I have got to get back on program. Next week will be a good time as I will have the house to myself. Grampa is babysitting grand daughters on the Island.

Glad you are feeling better.

Hugs, Carol

Hi Bell...just wanted to pop in and see how things are going for you. I hope that things will all fall in place for you and that you will find comfort and grace in all you do. Take a little time for yourself, and just relax for awhile....if that is possible. LOL...I know sometimes with the little ones, it seems completely impossible. Hang in there Bell, you have come a long way...keep up the great work! Hugs, AJ

well i have had a couple of busy school holiday type days so thought i would stop in and get a post out while i have a spare second.
We went out for dinner on Wednesday night for MIL's bday..anyway who doesnt know the story..we dont get along very well..tolerate one another but its very awkward when we are around one another..she has always very obviously favored Caitlin which is usually what we argue about..since Riley's diagnosis she has made a 360 degree turnaround..i am sure in the back of her mind she has always felt that Riley was very stand offish with her and it was because i had poisoned him against her..she has suddenly had the realisation that he is just wary around people he doesnt see everyday and that its not a personal things..needless to say i was very impressed with how much effort she was making with Riley..asking me lots of questions about Asperger's syndrome and how to help Riley etc.. so things are looking up in that area.
Last night i went out with a few girls from my old workplace for dinner..it was nice..a meal out without the kids is always heavenly lol.. lots of girly chat....
i went to PUMP yesterday and am hoping to get to the gym twice more before the weeks over..they are having an open day at the gym over the weekend..may be my opening to bring my neigbour to show her the gym.
Caitlin has gone to stay for 2 days with MIL..Riley is relishing not having to share me with anyone else..we have been out today shopping and looking for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle figurines 8-| he has plans for mum, dad and him to watch DVD's tonight and lie on the mattress on the loungeroom floor i think.
working tomorrow afternoon and hopefully will get a shift for Sunday.
Jess- Cat in the Hat comes back is annoying..how many darn little cats can there be under one hat!!!!! i havent read Horton yet..still wanting the cat in the hat books :help:
Judith- Aussies are very friendly people by nature..i am glad your son had such a great time..New Zealand is on my list of must see places
Carol- i am so sorry about your daughter's dog..Casper is very high energy too..he is in a serious chewing frezy at the moment..anything that isnt nailed down he chews on..he is a bundle of energy. having the house to myself is always easier for me to get back on program..good luck with it.
Aj- thanks for visiting my friend.. i definately feel like things are falling into place already..i will take some time to relax now and again..if i dont look after myself who else will lol?
hugs bell :)

heeeeee, re cat in the hat comes back. (so sorry. Our thing is princesses right now--fortunately, a couple of her fave books are decent, by a Brit author/illustrator sister/bro combo...Rapunzel and Cinderella...can't think of the authors, but DEFINITELY wouldn't float the Rilester's boat.

I'm so glad to hear the MIL thing is turning around---hoooray for gifts in strange packaging!!

As i sit here for a minute of silence to chill out i see the cover of Cat in the Hat appear before my eyes yet again... Pleeeeease can you read it just one more time...
aggggggggghhhhhhhhh!
windy and cold here today which is playing havoc with my sinuses..itchy eyes..please dont be coming down with a cold..
off to read Cat in the Hat.......again!
Cait went through the princesses phase..Disney on ice is on again here at the moment and this year its princesses... we went last year and it was AWESOME!
hugs bell :)

Hi Bell
I am sitting here reading your journal, feeling like I should be doing something else, housework needs doing, Now no-one else but me in would be a good opportunity.
We don't get a day off for the queens birthday. Funny how other countries do. Someone should mention this to Lizzie when she is cutting her birthday cake LOL.
hope all is well.

i know i will hear from all of you, but i was never a Cat in the Hat fan or any of his books.

Disney on Ice would be fun...Cat in the Hat *is* kinda creepy, thinking about it, a strange being comes to a house where two children are left alone, and destroys the place, hmmmm....sounds like training for "why it's okay to crash(and trash) a house for a party." (or a video that tells kids why not to allow strangers into their house!)

morning friends,
had a shi* nights sleep last night..kept having dreams about work etc..what a pain...probably because yesterday my work rang at 4pm and said Belinda did you know we were expecting you at work at 3pm today???? there is no way they asked me to work that shift..i write everything down in 3 places and it aint written anywhere..i had promised Riley a night at home watching Madagascar anyway and i wouldnt have broken that promise..even though it wasnt my fault i hate people feeling like i let them down..oh well they can get over it as it was their mistake not mine!
i should do something resembling exercise today i suppose..my butt is sore as from Thrusdays PUMP still..not sure it could take a another beating today..if i leave it til tomorrow i will more than likely get asked to work..Casper would appreciate a run though!
Ellie- long time no see my friend :) not sure we deserve a public holiday for the Queens bday..not sure anyone cares one way or another that its her bday lol...so did you do that housework?
Judith- i was never much of a fan of Seuss myself when i was a kid..some of the books are great( although i suspect a deranged mind thought of them)..some are downright annoying! Riley rejected reading or even looking at books for ages so i am happy for him to be interested in reading at all .
Jess- i was thinking of the home alone with a giant cat scenario myself the other day..where the heck was the sitter??? or as that Thing 1 and Thing 2???
hugs bell :)

i quit procrastinating and took my butt to the gym for another kickbutt PUMP class..if no work tomorrow morning will do some cardio.
hugs bell :)

Bell....you are always doing great with the exercise. :) Riley sounds so cute. I hope you guys ending up having a real fun night.

Take care Bell.

Hey Bell! I've miss ya and DT. Glad to be back, but sad the week of fun with the sisters is over. :( Glad you had a nice dinner with your MIL. I bet she felt bad about how she had treated Riley.

Glad you had a good time with your girlfriends! I love doing that sometimes. Getting away from the hubby (despite the fact that I love him dearly) is always a good thing!

I also loved Horton Hatches the Egg. It's my fav. Dr. Suess book.

Have a great day sweetie. Thanks for the visits to my journal! :D

too a couple of days holday from DT..Riley spilt some sort of liquid all over the computer keyboard so needless to say..liquid and electrics do not mix.
I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaack anyway :)
the weekend went by in a blur..worked Saturday..hung around Sunday morning for a while then took off to see a kids musical group playing at a nearby park..of course as soon as i got there my work rang for me to go in that afternoon..so we had a few hours out groovin to the Hooley Dooley's and then i went to work..i get paid too well on Sundays to knock the shift back.
I have started the weekt out well with the exercising..did 60 minutes of cardio yesterday at the gym..i ran a good 30 minutes on the treadmill.felt like my lungs would explode at one point but it felt sooooo good to run those cobwebs out..i did another 30 minute run tonight with Casper..the weather is cold, rainy and misty...great running weather..i like it anyway.
i took the kids to see "Herbie" at the movies today...it was a cute disney movie...lucky we went to the first session it was like a madhouse when we came out.
off to the gym tomorrow to do a bodyjam class.
hugs bell :)
sexy- we had a great time watching Madagascar..its a cute movie...the characters in it are awesome..some really funny parts in it..the penguins are a riot!
Rikki- glad to see you back home sweetie. i looked at your pics this afternoon before my new keyboard was here so i couldnt reply..your hair looks gorgeous..as do you as usual.

Sounds like you had a fun time with the kids! Glad you liked Herbie. I wasn't sure if I wanted to see that or not. So, Madagascar is a good movie, eh? It's playing here in town, so maybe we'll go see it one of these nights. We saw Mr. and Mrs. Smith on Sunday. I liked that movie. have you seen it yet?

Enjoy bodyjam! I can't believe you went on 2 runs! I can barely handle one. I had to wimp out a little today. I usually run 4 miles, but only made it 3 today. Oh well.

Have another great day! :D

My running has been nonexistant lately. Bad Jess.

We actually won't let Ab use the laptop all that much just because of the spill-on-keyboard issue (or, more accurately, our fear of spills on keyboard.) Hence, I get online on the laptop more often now. WHich has nothing to do with you, aaaaaak, hijack!!!

it sure sounds like you're falling into the groove at your new workplace!

Rikki-i want to see Mr and Mrs Smith... i will drag Jason along too..its not my usual type of movie but there isnt much else out at the moment..i dont like Tom Cruise so wont be seeing War of the Worlds. 8-| Madagascar is worth a look definately.
the 2 runs were on different days babe so dont get too excited.. havent bee running much laely so it felt good to get back to it.
Jess- we have had a couple of near misses with the keyboard so no more fluids allowed near it from now on.
i swear i am going stir crazy with the school holidays..Jason is home today too so i may palm the kids off on him for a while and try and regain my sanity.
went to bodyjam and sweated loads..kids are killing one another. back later,
hugs bell :)

feel my (preschool) pain. (only, it's only one. And she's easy.)(so never mind.) (I'll just send you virtual hugs and sympathy.) :D

You don't like Tom Cruise !!!!!!!!!!!!????????? You could be arrested :lapd: and beat up :blackeye: here in the states for words like that. lol

I never have heard those words out of any females mouth before ! lol :laugh:

You know I am messing with you my friend lol :D

I must admit though - I do adore Tom lol :o

Beth :dance:

"Green Eggs and Ham"...you have to get that one!!!!!1

i didnt mind Tom Cruise until one interview with an aussie reporter on 60 minutes here..he was extremely arrogant and rude to say the least..we have seen him acting like a complete lunatic on Oprah etc spilling the beans about katie and himself..this reporter asked him a harmless queston and got told off..i later discovered this reporter is a close family friend of Nicole Kidman...maybe thats why he was pissed off with him long explanation of why i dont like him i know...sorry! i was a fan..not anymore.. rudeness is my pet peeve! still love YOU though Beth :)
jess- i apreciate the sympathy..it would be easier if they liked doing the same things..but alas it cant be that easy lol.
off to my parents for dinner..the kids are staying with my dad tomorrow while i go to work..he will be pulling his few remaining hairs from his head when i get there tomorrow afternoon!
Jumpy- Green Eggs and Ham is a great book! i forgot about that one!
hugs bell :)

Eh, Tom is only ok. I really don't want to see War of the Worlds either. I can't believe how rude you said he was! I don't have cable, so I don't get to watch Oprah or anything. Just movies. Wasn't he in Interview with the Vampire? I think I liked that movie, though.

I want to see Bewitched. I used to watch that show all the time when I was little. Bewitched, Mr. Ed and My Three Sons. Yep! I also like Will Ferell, but he is kind of a psycho sometimes! THe movie I'm MOST excited about is Harry Potter 4 coming out in November.

Well, keep up the good running! I have been a little lazy with my runs lately. I am losing my motivation too. I wish I could keep it at full steam forever. Just doesn't work that way sometimes... 8-| Have a great day.

there should be some law about getting out of bed before 6am..have to start work at 6am today and therefore am up at 5am..its so early i cant even stomach my cup of wake up juice( coffee).
Hope the kids dont drive my dad round the bend today..its raining again...that sends them stir crazy being stuck inside..i think he is planning on baking patty cakes or something with them..
oh well off to the grind!
hugs bell :)
p.s Rikki- i want to see Bewitched when it comes out. it looks like it would be good..i loved the original series as well as I dream of Jeannie! Caitlin wants to see The Sisterhood of the travelling pants..she is 7 turning 17 :)

I wanna see the Traveling Pants too...Tried to see it with the sisters, but it wasn't playing anywhere near here. Go figure. 8-| Maybe I'll have to see it with my MIL this weekend if we go to Lincoln. Have fun at work! I'm with you on the law! There should be a mandatory sleeping in law! :laugh:

Go Dog Go !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you have to get that one

Liam isnt going to stand a chance..his dad is a Dr Seuss nut! :)
so many books so little cash lol..should visit the local library and check out their Seuss collection. apparently there is a compendium that has maybe 6-7 books in one big hardcover book..should look for that in my travels.
Rikki- if you see Travelling pants before me be sure to give me a review!
i so wish the rain would disappear..my back patio looks like a laundry as i have had to hang all the clothes there under cover so they dont end up soaked like those on the clothes line..we will fast be running out of available clothes if the sun doesnt come out soon.
i suppose the rain will stop as soon as the kids go back to school! typical!
working this afternoon and will be home just in time to watch Lleyton Hewitt play Federer at Wimbledon..i dont hold out much hope but a girl can dream!
hugs bell :)

What is that Dr. Seuss book about the 101 hats? I like that one too. (is that even seuss?)

I doubt I'll get to see Travelling pants. :( Oh well. We are planning on staying here this weekend. Too much calc. Dang school is ruining my life! (Ask me if I'll say that when I land a good job after I graduate!)

Have a GREAT weekend. Here's to some sun in your corner of the world!

But oh, I read an article about how some farmers in Australia are committing suicide because it doesn't rain enough, and they lose their land, crops, and animals. Is this true? Is it in your part of the country?

kept meaning to sound off on Tom---hate him, hate him, HATE him...His smug smile, arrogant attitude, and overinflated sense of self just make me sick every time I see him. Blaaaargh. I liked him in Top Gun and Rain Man... after that? Bllllleeeeecch. Blaaargh. Yeeeech.

so sorry for the rain. We need rain, my car's windshield is just...nasty.. (so, Jess, wash your car!)(no, because then it'd rain.) (Washing your car and planning a picnic are activities known as the washington rain dance.)

Prince of Tides was grueling but fabulous--read it so we can compare notes!

Glad i didnt stay up too late watching the tennis as Federer kicked his butt! i set my alarm so that i would make it to PUMP..just as well as i slept until it went off.. i love starting the weekend off with a great workout..makes me feel like i can handle the weekend without letting my healthy eating lapse... the kids must have been up late last night as they were only just waking up when i left at 9am. Jason and Cait were watching Princess Diaries..Riles was probably playing Scooby Doo on the computer.
Rikki- the drought has driven a lot of farmers off the land all over Australia..3 days of continual rain like we have just had is unheard of in the last few years..we are actually on water restrictions here and if the rain doesnt continue the water restrictions will become more stringent..at the moment you cant have sprinklers on on certain days. 2 of my dad's sisters and a few of my cousins are serious farmers and have been through a lot with the drought..there has been a lot of people going bankrupt and unfortunately some killing themselves through despair and financial ruin. keep on truckin with the calculus..it will matter in the long run with an awesome job!
Jess-when i load the kids off back to school this week and get me some reading time i will head down to the library and find Prince of Tides..i love a good book!
i saw a post from Jumpy about gaining weight somewhere..it has to be a piss take ..cant imagine him posting it otherwise.
hugs bell :)

That is too bad about the weather/no rain. I'm sure it makes it hard. At least you're getting some rain now. Nebraska is in somewhat of a drought, but it has been raining a lot here too. Maybe we will soon move out of it!

Enjoy the weekend! What are your plans? More calc for me. What's new? :shrug:

Have a great one! :D

re jump: did you see my response to it, starting with, are you serious???

I think he's just testing the waters to see what kind of asinine diet mythology is circulationg... Way to go, Pump girl!!!

Hey, what happened to your Aussie boy on the grass (I think it will happen to our guy in the finals too though). Piss post....you know me too well :o .

I love Dr. S, there are some flicks too you know. Agree with you about Tom Cruise but I do want to see his new flick.

the weekend is nearly over and i havent enjoyed it really..thats the bummer of casual work..so much work and always on the weekends..i was looking forward to a sleep in and going out for breakfast with Jason and the kids..alas i got called for work..it was worth $200+ for a 8 hour shift so i had to go..i will be thanking myself come payday when i want to buy The Offspring Greatest Hits CD. :)
Rikki- so to answer your question about what i am doing on the weekend ...see above 8-| the kids have one more day left before school goes back so we will take the dog and the bikes for a 60 minute cardio fest tomorrow to run out some cobwebs.
Jess- i was just reading the thread..Scotty cant resist a good stir.. anyone that knows him had to know that was a piss take.
Jumpy- You just couldnt resist..i wouldnt mind seeing your response to what R-d posted..i sometimes wonder if R-d and you are one and the same person..similar thoughts and way of posting sometimes. Federer is a genius tennis player..i hope that roddick makes a decent game of it tonight though.
well i am absolutely worn out..had about 6 hours sleep between shifts last night til this morning. i will be in bed early tonight thats for sure.. no time to eat much today thats the only upside to working so much i guess :)
hugs bell :)

hi bell, glad to see you're doing well :) Haven't been reading the journals too much these days :\

hello there stranger!!!!i have missed you!!!!!
i was checking out all your links etc last week..You are awesome! my kids eyes were bulging looking at all your pics!
hugs bell :)

whats the chances of catching a nap somewhere along the line today? probably nil but its worth a thought! last day of school holidays today..i have made it this far i will survive the final day without losing my last shred of sanity! maybe.....
looking forward to a nice quiet...empty hosue tomorrow..ah heaven!!!!
hugs bell :)

Sounds like your having fun, how is the dog doing??? Miss hearing about the runs in the park...all the neat wildlife.

Casper is doing well..still at the chewy stage..i feel like he needs a playmate but i dare not mention that as that will be one more mouth for me to feed and dog to walk/run...my initial fears about him needing a more energetic family were well founded..if i dont take him for a walk/run he doesnt get taken..i feel like he doesnt get the attention his breed needs..they are very high energy. Jason is going to start taking him to work with him so he will be running around Jasons work sites all day..that will give him more to do..i think its boredom that makes him chew everything.
bet you wish you hadnt asked now Scotty :D
hugs bell

HOw are Bell...just dropped by to say hi....i love reading your journal....i always wished to have a dog...well a very small one...as i m really scared of the bigger dogs...they bark at me and even act agressively even if im with 100 others...they choose me... 8-| ...but i think its hard to take care of them...my dad has one...she is so cute more like a cat...the cutest dog i ever saw...but i still prefer to keep a distant away from her in case she changed her mind ....
happy 4 july... :rose:

Hey Bell! Sounds like you had a busy weekend. Enjoy the quiet time! Any good movies to watch while you enjoy your free time? Did you ever see Alfie?

Thanks for the stop to my journal. Yeppers, I made it to the gym. Thanks for the encouragement! :D

Have a great day! :D

morning friends..
well Jumpy asking me how Casper was made me get up nice and early this morning and take him for a run..didnt see any koalas though Scotty..saw heaps of tiny birds though in the marshy area..they were tiny finches i think..no bigger than your thumb..you hardly realise they are there ..well i dont..Casper does and then all of a sudden they come flying out of the bushes :) i have a niggling cough at the moment which is a pain in the neck..its been keeping me awake the last few nights and gets worse on exertion..didnt let it stop me running this morning though.
egypt- hello there :) nice to see you stopping in for a visit! i read once that dogs can sense people's fear..i am not that fond of certain types of large dogs either.
rikki- i didnt ever watch Alfie..had it here for days but never got around to watching it..not sure what DVD's are out at the moment..should take a trip to Blockbuster this week and check it out. its lovely and quiet here today ..Riley didnt even make a fuss about going back to school this morning which was great..i expected a revolt on my hands but was pleasantly surprised..he wanted to take his madagascar book to school for storytime so thats why he was excited to go back!
well i am going to have a nap and read a book..not sure in what order..working night shift tonight in the dementia wing so need to catch some sleep today sometime.
hugs bell :)

mmm, dementia. Fun and games, there. So the song I thought was Coldplay wasn't, and the one they're starting to play on heavy rotation is really good. SO i stand Coldplay corrected.

As to puppers being high energy/destructomatic boy, I have one of those, too! And I found a couple of tips from Obedience class that really help-- Sometimes the high energy dogs can bypass exercise (but please note--they always, always, always, like high energy preschoolers, need to get their wiggles out through full-out, vigorous exercise stuff!!--just not necessarily daily...) if they're given something to challenge their brains--We have toys here called Kongs, a chew toy you fill with whatever (I mash in cheese and kibble and a wee bit of lnchmeat) and let Bill have at it...it keeps him occupied for a whole 15 minutes, but what a nice fifteen minutes it is!! (actually, I've become better at creative Kong stuffing, and it lasts longer now!!) Another toy is the Everlasting Treat Ball...Holy cow, does Bill dig on that one!! It has these super-flavour injected plasticy/rawhidey edible bits surrounded by a bouncy/hard rubber shell--the site shows it better and describes it: http://www.aboutdogtraining.com/panel.php?8 (http://www.aboutdogtraining.com/panel.php?8) --and last but not least, I sewed the pockets of old Levis and Corduroy shorts onto a chunk of fleece; I stick food (high value food items, like cheese or lunch meat) in the various pockets and Bill goes Ape poop for it. The trick, I am told, to dog toys is to "charge them up" first (play with it with the dog, a sort of keep away peek a boo, squealing in excitement game) and them take them away and hide 'em for a while, alternating out new and different charged toys so the dogs don't get bored with the "old hat" toy...Personally, I don't buy into getting puppy buddies for bored pups; in some circumstances it works out well and the dogs are happy as pigs in poop, but more frequently, a person is deluded into thinking their animals don't need their attention and the animals become neglected on the walks/exercise front. When we had two greyhounds (granted, they're more like small horses than Jack Russels, but...) they were quite difficult to walk together and the hair mess on couches and floors was a big Ew.

Not that I have any opinions on the matter :o

Jess- i really appreciate your time in replying about the puppy troubles!
i am against the getting a playmate also..when mum and dads dog is here Casper is very calm having the other here to entertain him and i remember someone here telling me that their daughter ended up getting another dog (Judith or Carol?)
i knew at the outset that Jason and the kids have some responsibility issues..i shouldnt have let my parents override my instincts which told me they werent ready for a dog. oh well he is here now..but when you already feel like you have a million balls up in the air trying to juggle them another one doesnt make it any easier! The tips on the chew toys etc i will utilise.
Have been feeling lousy today got a couple of hours of sleep in..just want to make it through the night shift tonight and come home for more sleep.
hugs bell :)

sending these thoughts your way:

I-)

Bell, I'm sorry you're feeling lousy again. Didn't you just get over a cold/cough? Take care of yourself. I don't want you to get sick again!!!

Hope you get in a nice nap, and some good sleep. Good luck with the night shift. Hope all is well.

Oh, P.S. If you're looking for a good flick, I think "National Treasure" with Nicolas Cage is pretty good. I hope to watch Finding Neverland later this week. Johnny Depp. Yum!

You should take the dog out to the wildlife preserve more, it sounds like it is good for your peace of mind. Hey!!!!!!! why don't you take a camera too, that would be way cool to take some pictures while your walking. Maybe of the finches or Koala bears or poison toads....

howdy friends,
had a busy night at work...had a death and then one of the oldies awake all night yelling the place down wanting to tell me a funny story.. thats the thing with dementia..time of day is irrelevant to them..no such thing as night time is sleep time.. the night went pretty fast which was a relief..on a quiet night shift the 8 hours can seem like FOREVER! have gotten some sleep today but my coughing kept me awake a lot. 8-|
Jess- thanks for the good sleeping vibes.. Jason's mum bought the kids Tamagotchi's last week so i am responsible for looking after them during the day...heaven forbid if they die while the kids are at school..they are virtual pets for anyone who doesnt know..they are quite addictive little things :D
Rikki- i really should get a flu shot at te beginning of Winter..i end up getting back to back colds etc most years..never quite got over the bronchitis i dnt think..i was too eager to get back to the workouts and didnt give myself enough time to recoup. National Treasure is one i have been wanting to see for ages. Garden State is another one..i should have a DVD day where i have a DVD marathon back to back :)
Jumpy- it is good for my state of mind ..i do a lot of thinking when i am walking and running... i will look for a website showing where i walk and run right now to show you all!
hugs bell :)

Bell, glad the shift went over well (and fast.)

I hope your cough gets to feeling better! That is something nasty to hang on to. Is it too late for a flu shot? I think during the winter here, you can get them any time, but they are most effective if you get them early, like in November. That's strange that it's winter in July. Do you get any snow? Or just rain (or maybe I asked this question already, and can't remember...)

You'll like National Treasure. I have Garden State, but I haven't watched it yet. I also have Sideways, Closer, Swimming Pool, Phantom of the Opera, etc., etc., and I haven't watched any of those yet! I better get on it!

Have a great day! :D

morning friends,
just checking in quickly before i head out for the day. i have a ful day of training for work today. 8-2.30 of listening to people ramble on about the philosophy of the company etc...the timing isnt great either as its Riley's first day at the new special ed unit today...possibly better that Jason is doing the drop off though. i will be thinking all day about how he is doing..at least with the training i will have something to concentrate on..hopefully 8-|
Rikki- thanks for stopping in sweetie :) life gets so busy sometimes watching a DVD is a luxury, right? when all that calculus is out of the way i hope you get some down time..Closer is a great movie!
well better make a move and get going.
hugs bell :)

Hey, I bet he will do great...but moms always worry, no? So how is the exercise going....I have been slacking today, big dissection test tomorrow on a cadaver...fun fun fun. 8-|

mum's do always worry Jumpy...dad's do too so never fear you wont miss out :D
Riley had a great day today according to his teacher..he will benefit greatly from there being only 8 kids in his class..no tears or worries about staying eve though he didnt know people so thats a good start.
the exercise is going well..i am still getting to the gym 3 days a week and supplementing with runs with casper to get my cardio in..the weights are mainly my focus at the gym.. if i get 2 hard weights workouts in a week i am happy..
training went well today..bit boring but informative in spots..i know how to operate a fire extinguisher though..you learn something new everyday :laugh:
well off to get dinner ready.. cant wait to hit the gym tomorrow..am going to the library to find Prince of Tides Jess...how long is it????
hugs bell :)

Bell, what kind of weights do you do? I love lifting, but find it hard to fit it in with everything. Keep up the great exercising! You're doing awesome.

Hey, I wanted to ask you a question. Is it hard to maintain? I mean, I'll never give up exercise, as I have come to love it, but I was just wondering how hard it is to maintain. What kind of diet do you have to stick to? Do you have to keep on low calorie? Just wondering...

Glad RIley had a good first day! :D

Yeah, I am curious about your diet plan. Have you kept the weight off since you reached your goal ? Do you yo-yo up and down month after month. Do you eat lots of protein...that must be the reason. Or was it your really flexible, you have lots of freebie days where you don't worry about what your eating...right? Is it because you don't force yourself to exercise, you only do it a couple times a week ? Do you drink 10 liters of water??

Whatever it is it must be really complicated, but if you could list down the 20 or so important things you do on your diet plan that would be great. :) Yet I do not know why I would ask you, maintaining is the easy part. What do you know about weight loss anyway, your not overweight.

I'm so glad Riley seems to be in a good situation!! Prince of Tides is...uh...586 pages? Or something like that. But it kinda sucks you in and reads quickly. :)

Scotty...Scotty....Scotty....ever the **** stirrer!!!! thats why i love ya though!!!!
Scotty i have maintained since 2000 by once i reached goal throwing myself a big party and declaring that all the hard work was over for me..i immediately reverted back to my old McDonald's eaing habit nightly..never exercise( its overrated)....no water for me..i prefer the hard stuff!!! yet i remain at goal..why you ask...i am simply a genetic freak who can eat what they like and remain stick thin :tongue: you are so right about maintainenance being easy..thats why the keeping weight off stats are so great! :tongue:
Rikki- Jumpy cannot help but try and get my back up...its a disease with him :)
My PUMP class is 60 minutes of weights..i find it a good weights workout as you go through all the muscle groups and each weeek you are lifting at the weight that is right for you..you are lifting til failure and i find it easier to stay motivated doing it in the class situation..not to menton the fact that i hate the weights section of the gym with all the muscle heads hangin around 8-|
now a serious answer to the maintenance question..i have found the initial maintenance to be far harder than the losing was..i think it was the fact that i didnt have the numbers going down anymore as positive feedback..i found maing new goals (mainly fitness related) was a way to stay focused and have something else to work towards..my eating has remained the same generally..my body just cant eat the crap i was once feeding it so i guess its used to the healthy stuff now....it really has been a lifestyle change.. its second nature now for me to eat this way so its gotten easier..when i am stressed though i tend to revert to bad habits now and again...its a mater of staying vigilant..exercise has been my savior though..my eating isnt always perfect but it all evens out with the exercise...the fact that you are so good with your workouts will help you out enormously when you get to goal..
more info than you wanted probably...sorry...
Jess- once i get started on a book i keep on reading ..often neglecting everything else lol...mainly housework lol..
well need to make a start on the day..gym for me this morning and maybe some retail therapy..
hugs bell :)

I was curious about maintaining too. I am hoping to maintain goal once I reach it, if ever. I hate the scale but I am going to force myself to start looking at it and making myself aware of what I'm losing. I'm also afraid of weight lifting because my weight is always so much higher when I lift, too. Damn muscle. X-( I really want to start swimming again, daily if I can, because that's where I saw the most dramatic weight loss in high school. I love it. Soon I hope!!

State of Fear is a good book too! I will have to read Prince of Tides. Any other good book suggestions after 7/16---(new Harry Potter book comes out and I will be completely engulfed for at least two weeks)? I have piles waiting to be read, but more is always good!!

Talk to you later,
Melinda :D

Bell, i just finished Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult, I LOVED IT! i went online and bought 5 more of hers. I am now reading The Pact by her, i love her style of writing.

Bell, thanks for the info. I am glad I can revert back to McDonalds and candy all day! Ha just kidding. Actually, I'm sort of like you. I still eat junk now and then, but if I eat it like I used to, I get sick. It's weird how we can train our bodies to like certain foods, and to not like others.

I don't ever want to give up on the exercise. Eating has been the hardest part for me while losing weight. I love eating, and I love exercising. If I could choose just one or the other to get to goal, I'd definitely choose just exercising. Sadly, it doesn't work out that way for most of us. So I know I will continue to exercise. I'm glad to know I can still have treats and even it out with exercise once I get to maintaining territory. I just thought I'd ask since I was getting closer. I am tempted to keep lowering my goal weight, but I think a better idea would be to get to 135, and if I'm still not happy, work on building more muscle, and see if that's any better.

Sorry for the long hijack. I appreciate your info!

Dontcha just love reading? I'm glad that I have that as a hobby. I think it makes me a more rounded person. I am not really reading anything right now. I started The Secret Life of Bees, but haven't really gotten into it. Have a great weekend, Bell! :D

Hi Bell....i m so delighted with your weight loss...and more by keeping it off :1stprize: ...s i always read that most people reagin the weight back after 1 year...and that was really disappointing....but people like you prove the opposite and keep us motivated....thank you for the information... :wave:

hi friends..
just a quick check in..have a mountain of washing and folding to get through before heading to work this afternoon..i was hoping work wouldnt call for work today so i could take Caitlin to see Bewitched...lucky i didnt tell Cait i had planned to go..or else she would have been disappointed...i am working a night shift tomorrow night so we will do some fun stuff tomorrow to make up for today anyway.
feeling better today..went and tried to sweat this cough out at step class yesterday..felt lousy afterwards but feeling better this morning..went to PUMP this morning so thats a good start to the weekend which always helps me to keep my eating on track as well.
Mel- love your avatar! i havent read any of te Harry Potter Books i am ashamed to admit..seen all the movies..how do the movies compare to the books? swimming is a great form of exercise..are you and hubby going to start running?
Judith- Jodi Piccoult...the name is familiar..i think i have read at least one of her books..i get hung up on one author and read all i can find and then move on to someone else.
Rikki-- dare i say this at the risk of losing my head..i love JD but when i first saw the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory trailer my first thought was JD looked like JAcko... :help: i fear i may need protecting now i have said that to JD's No 1 fan :)
i stillthink he's hot just not looking like someone in drag..thats a warped Willy Wonka i have to say..compared to the original anyway..
i have always loved to read and am glad that i have instilled it in Caitlin and Riley too.
i played around with lowering my goal weight for a while but it wasnt for me..i didnt want maintenance to be torture..i didnt want to have to starve to stay at a lower weight..140 works for me..you are going to be at goal in no time..
Egyptrose...thanks for the congrats.. appreciate it..i was disheartened to with the stats of people keeping the weight off..but you know it makes me even more determined to improve those stats..it can be done!
well better move myself and get some work done.
hugs bell :)

I am not a fan of JD in C and the CF. He looks weird. I don't even think I want to see the movie. But I so don't think he looks like Jacko. I mean, yeah, white face, black hair, etc. But Michael Jackson looks like puke and JD just can't make me puke! :laugh: Oh, and the whole "wonderland surrounded by kids" thing is weird, but doesn't Charlie HATE kids, and Jacko... well we know how he feels about kids...

Bewitched was cute. Total Brain Candy, and nothing more. It had it's boring moments, but don't most movies? I think you and Cait will like it. I like both the HP books and movies. I like the books better, but I have all the movies. I love Hermione's character in the movies.

GOod job on getting to PUMP! I must confess, I don't workout hard on the weekends. If anything, it's just a lot of walking. Oh well. Come Monday morning, I'm a 5 a weeker girl!

Have a great rest of the weekend, babe!

The new "Batman" is really good.

The new C and the CF looks intriguing! I really enjoyed the origional. New twist on things are not always bad. I hear the book is more twisted then the origional film and this new movie is more along the lines of the book. The other guy who was up for the roll other then JD was Marilyn Manson. Now I love him as an artist but he would have scared the bageezes out of kids, lol. I will let you all know how the movie is though... planning to go see it next week on Imax. Oh and batman was a good film too... Great action.

How did your laundry go?

Take care Bell.... :)

I liked the original C and CF but I am looking forward to seeing Johnny play that part. He is such a hottie. He could play a socio path like he did in Secret Window and I'd still be in love withhim...lol. You're doing great with the exercise, too. I hope to start swimming next week. We're having issues of getting the rec center in our name and out of our landlords. Go figure. BUT DH and I did start running. That's a good thing. I love it and I'm going to keep pushing myself. Need to lose my gut!!

Melinda :D

maybe it is my age(55 1/2) but Johnny Depp does NOTHING for me, too grungy for me. I was never a CCF fan, my kids loved it growing up though.

my son sent me a pic of the Kittyhawk arriving in Sydney. This is his last sea trip, he will be coming back stateside for the rest of his service time, he has been overseas for three yrs.( in Japan)

if i a ever tempted to return to fulltime night shift working please remind me of this zombie feel like sh** feeling i am enduring right now and that will take care of any possible return...
even though its only been a couple of months of not doing nights regularly i am well and truly over the whole night shift upside down body clock thing..not sure how i did it for 7 years..i guess i didnt know any different..but i am liking if not loving mornings and afternoons..ok rant over...one night shift to get through tonight after minimal sleep today...
after tonight i am looking forward to a few days of catching up on sleep, workout time and housecleaning in that order!
i will respond to my lovely guests tomorrow when i am somewhat with it..if i survive tonight in the dementia/psych unit. :D
hugs bell :)
p.s didnt mean to start a JD debate..i love the guy..thought he was cute as a psycho in Secret Window..just something very warped about the C&CF role..although even scarier thought of Marilyn Manson in the role :help: i havent read the book..i just keep seeing Gene Wilder i suppose and use him as the benchmark Mr Wonka..

hang tough my friend :)

Beth :dance:

Hope that you survive the night shift. Get some sleep, sweetie, and we'll be happy to see you again! Did you have a nice weekend, or did you work the whole time? My weekends will probably consist of calc only, at least until August 5, when I am done.

I saw a good movie this weekend. Wimbeldon. It was so cute. Made me cry. (and made me more motivated cause I loved Kirsten Dundts' character... All in shape and a great tennis player!)

Have a great day! :D

Don't fall asleep at the wheel and crash into your garage.

Hi Bell,

Wow, I remember when I did 7 years on the graveyard shift at the manufacturing plant where I worked! UGH!!! After I finally got to first shift, there was the occasional lay-off, and when that happened, those with lesser seniority got dumped back to second or third shift again. It was so much harder then, than when I did it on a regular basis. Good luck to you kiddo.

Hope the rest of your week goes much better for you.

Good morning friends...
well i survived the night shifts but am well and truly over them...i have told work that my preference has changed and days anf afternoons are better for me. we will see what happens.
i am looking forward to a kick ass workout this morning..body jam class and some extra cardio..home for some housecleaning 8-| what an exciting life i lead ,eh?
Beth- you of all people know about the long hours and odd times..i dnt know how the heck you do it on a regular basis?
Rikki- i worked both days but one was a night shift so i managed some good time with the family still.. i havent seen Wimbledon..i like Kirsten Dunst though so i should check it out..it doesnt take much for me to cry in movies..
Jumpy- i wont follow your lead and roll my car! :D
Sandie- i think after 7 years of only nights had forgotten how nice working normal hours can be..Jason wants me to work the days too as i am less crabbier lol...less not entirely carefree though lol..i am highly strung..some may say pedantic at times! i will have to come and visit you at your journal and see what you have been up to.
hugs bell :)

Hello Bell,

If you want to see what I have been up to, check out my gardening blog! LOL
It is listed in my signature.

I'm glad your night shift nightmare is over, and let's hope your employers take to heart your request. I think that after we reach a certain stage in our life, working nights just become so much more difficult, and it would make a cranky person of most of us.

Take care and keep smiling!

hi friends..
just recovered after a mini meltdown..Jason just told me that he was speaking to one of the mothers at school yesterday..this mother is an aquaintance/friend of mine through Caitlin..she is a nice person but is a huge gossip..she chats merrily every afternoon sharing her latest tidbit of information on some poor soul..well she found out that Riley is going to the special needs preschool 2 days a week and started quizzing him about it..she asked what Riley's diagnosis was and he told her...i was so mad i could scream and did...i am not ashamed of Riley or his diagnosis but i dont need every man and his dog at the school to know about it..i havent told a lot of family members yet let alone anyone else...i dont want people maing judgements on Riley based on a diagnosis..i want them to get to know him for who he is not what a medical practitioner labels him...I am angry to say the least..possibly burnt off some calories i was so mad about it..i rang the mother and explained as nicely as i could that i would appreciate her discretion regarding what Jason had told her..i still cant work out WTF he told her in the first place..oh well..i am over it now...if i do hear about it from someone else though i will know where it came from and WW3 will erupt!
on a more positive note i had an awesome workout today..did 20 minutes on the bike and a 60 minute bodyjam class..will squeeze a walk in with casper later today too. eating has been spot on..no slip ups!
Sandie- heading over to your gardening blog now! obviously work didnt get the message as there was a message left on my phone asking can i work a night shift tonight..so far i am ignoring it!
hugs bell :)

Just remember some people's lives are so horrible that they have to talk about everyone else to make themselves feel better. I worked with so many children who were Autistic or "Autistic like" and some have grown to be completely intergrated. The social aspects are the only thing that sets them aside as being "different". It is so common these days, that people are more accepting, and they haqve more chances to learn --in a way that is appropriate to them--. So Riley might be in a special needs preschool, but you are just better preparing him for the rest of his life, so he will be able to attend normal high school classes. As for the judging thing, everyone will jusge your son, if not for his diagnosis, than for something else. That is the nature of life, so just take it with a grain of salt. I know growing up with a handicapped father that you can never take anything too seriously, and to appreciate when people ask questions and talk to you about it...not just behind your back. But you can still kick her butt just for being so mean spirited :)

Oooofff. that's hard. :hug:


uhmmm...well...can i say congrats on the workout and spot-on eating?

well...uh...okay, here's another one...:hug:

Elsie- i really appreciate your perspective on the situation. you are so right about preparing him for life. i appreciate your thoughts and your honest response..thank you :) hopefully it wont come to butt kicking lol!
Jess- thanks for the congrats on the eating and workout..i have a headache from letting myself get stressed today..i am easily stressed..plus TOM aint the best time to piss me off either :D
hugs bell :)

Bell, sorry for the crap of the day. Elsie is right about people who need to talk about others to make themselves feel better. In fact, I read an article about people like the woman you described (Jump would be proud. I have a PhD in magazine reading & info!). Anyway, it basically confirmed what we already knew. People gossip. People diss others to make themselves feel better.

GOOD FOR YOU on taking it out at the gym, and not hitting McDonalds! (And during TOM as well! No woman should be pissed off during that time! :laugh: )

Well, Bell, I doubt this helped at all, but I just wanted you to know I'm thinking of you, and hoping for a better day. If it comes to butt kicking, I'd love to come to Australia and help you out! :D

you would be a great ass kicking partner to have Rikki!!!!! Gossip is evil thats for sure..so easy for people to get their stories screwed up...at my old workplace i would deliberately tell a person something to see how long it took for my confidence to be broken..easy to tell the gossipmongers that way :)
Have had a good morning so far...slept in til 7.30..got up took Riles to his other preschool..they had to dress up for an Australiana day..he was dressed as Steve Irwin..i only found out yesterday so the khaki clothes and boots were an easy costume..just as well i didnt go to too much trouble as not many of the other kids had dressed up.. Riley was chuffed with himself anyway..thats the main thing..we are going there to have a bbq lunch with them as soon as i have a shower..
Went to do my PUMP class only to learn the instructor was sick..did something called powerbar instead..very similar but harder...nice for a change. not sure my legs will
think it was wonderful tomorrow..seemed to be almost an hour of squats..YIKES!
well need to get movin.
hugs bell :)

An hour of squats sounds pretty scary... I hope you are not too sore when you wake up in the morning.

Gossip people are pretty annoying... A lady I work with gets mad at me all the time because I just ignore here.... she loves to gossip.... I hate it... What fun is it discussing other people lives... bleh.

Take care Bell...

Sexy- it wasnt an hour of squats but it sure felt like it..the instructor kept finding a way to squeeze squats into every track. i will be sore and at work tomorrow :cry: work rang me with a shift for tomorrow and monday..thats ok..Its Caitlin's 8th bday next weekend and i have 7 girls coming for a sleepover on Friday night..i will need some extra cash for the food and party stuff as well as bday presents!
means i miss my step class tomorrow and my coffee date with my best friend though...as hubby said they wont pay the bills though :tongue:
hugs bell :)

:hug: For Jason, poor guy, be nice to him. :D

should have known you would side with the guy! :tongue:
hugs bell :)

lol ;) at you and jump.....

so are you able to walk today Bell ? :)

Beth :dance:

Hey Bell! Hope you are able to walk to the computer so you can get online. I know when I do hours and hours of squats, I'm pretty much confined to the couch for a day or two!

I love coffee dates! I haven't been on one in awhile. I should do that again. Don't you love friends? I sure do.

HOpe you have a great day, Bell. :D

i managed to escape the soreness today but you know how it it the weights sometimes take a couple of days before you get really sore..i had a hectic day at work..worked with someone very unorganised which made for a very busy day...i was exhausted by the time i came home and had a nap for an hour. staying up to watch the football tonight and then up early to get to PUMP.
Beth- you know Jumpy and i...we are like brother and sister trying to pi** the other one off :)
Rikki- my best friend and i used to work together at my old job..now that we are at different jobs we catch up every Friday for coffee if my work and hers dont interrupt us that is..
ok better bail and have some dinner.
hugs bell :)

Yeah, I am totally unorganized...I think it is why maybe your so good at planning out your workout/eating/routine.
Yesterday picked up Ian (my brothers son) from summer camp and drove him to the learning center (about an hour drive). He sounds much the same personality as Riley, he has the same hurdles to overcome. It is a private school that he is going to in the summer. He is a great kid and I guess he used to be much more shy....not anymore....sheeeeesh. Always go with the flow of what he is interested in talking about (we are both Lego fanatics) and keep my mouth shut (very hard to do). His speech is sooooooooooo much better.

The thing that gets me the most is he is such a sweet innocent kid I worry about anybody taking advantage of him (being mean) because he is so open. Even when I dropped him off I worried; is he okay, will they treat him okay, will he get hurt, what is the security like their, are they watching him well enough, will they keep their front door closed, what is going to happen when he gets older, will he be happy.... on and on and on and on. Cruds, I was going to even phone my brother and tell him to check on him to make sure everything was okay....then I realised that they have been doing this for about 7 years 8-| .

The thing that makes me feel good now is to see the incredible,tremendous improvement that he has had over the last few years. Wow, we had the most incredible conversation when I was driving him to school, he even helped give me directions (I got lost :o ).

Anyhoots, I was thinking about Riley so I thought I would post this rambling thought process.

what a sweetheart you are Scotty!
All the emotions you described there and the worries you had about people being mean are all of which i can relate to..i take heart from the fact that Ian has improved so much..i hope that the same will be the same for Riley. his speech is really improving..social stuff is where he needs the most work. the special ed teacher has had him doing so much great work this past 2 weeks..things that his usual teacher can never get him to do..i am really proud of how he is adjusting to going to two very differently structured schools.. he is really coming along with his writing which he had previously refused to do at all..he is now writing the letters of the alphabet really well with both hands!
not sure what the day will bring today..i came home from work last night with vomiting..not sure what brought it on..not able to hold anything down since..even water..thats one way to lose weight..i feel lousy though and of course today i promised the kids i wouldnt work as i have worked the past 8 weekends both days...typical!!!!!
need to be better by tomorrow to do body combat..and go to work..
hugs bell :)

Do you still get sore even after working out for so long and being at your goal weight for so long? That makes me worried. I hate hate hate pain.

(Can you imagine what kind of sweet worrywart Jump is as a dad?)

Have a great night (day?) :)

Bell I came across this and of course thought of you lol :laugh: I was shocked to say the least that this can really be done in public in your country lol

PS: note - not for anyone easily offend.......

sorry to hear your not feeling well.

http://www.funlol.com/pictures/only-in-australia.html (http://www.funlol.com/pictures/only-in-australia.html)

Beth :dance:

Yuck! Get to feeling better!!! Doesn't it figure you get time off and then you get a flu. Pooh! It's like here in FL we all want a hurricane to hit,(not literally, but hypothetically thinking), during the week so we can miss a few days of work rather than them always hitting on the weekend. lol. :laugh:

Sorry about the meanie gossip lady too. DHs family is really bad about that PLUS they all have this thing where when they pass it along, it gets completely jumbled up into a huge mess and is so disorienated that it sounds worse then the truth. It's horrible. But amusing sometimes.

Anyhoo, I am proud of you though for busting your butt. That's great!! You're always an inspiration!

Melinda :D

i am surprised that can be done in our country too lol..thanks for the laugh though Beth.. i will keep it to show to Jason! he will get a good laugh out of it!
Chum- i increase my weights quite a bit in my PUMP classes..i alternate week to week going heavier on some muscle groups..guess thats why i still get the soreness..if i miss even one week of weights i hurt like heck when i go back to it..that makes me not want to miss a week though so its good in a way!
Mel- i think i had a 24 hour stomach bug..unfortunately i am over it but Riley has it as of 3am this morning..so we have had a rough night..will keep him home from school today and tomorrow to avoid passing it along to the other kids..hoping Cait doesnt get it or if she does its all over by the weekend when she is having her sleepover bday party.
so just a quiet day for Riles and i today..having a nap and just taking it easy..i have to work this afternoon but wnt work tomorrow afternoon unless they are desperate.
hugs bell :)

Oh, a sleepover b-day party! Sounds like fun!!!! :)

I'm sorry you were sick. I sure hope you feel better soon, Bell. It seems like you've been sick a lot lately. Take care of yourself, as I worry about you. Are you over the whole bronchitis thing yet?

Enjoy your nap, and time with Riley. I hope that he starts to feel better soon. I sure sucks to be sick! (but you're right about the losing weight part. I'm always slightly secretly pleased to get sick, as I always lose a pound or two!)

Have a nice week.

Poor little Bell,
She is sick, oh hell!
She's gotta get better
Or we're gonna get 'er
A big bag of socks to sort.

Get well, my friend! :bunny:

Ooof. thinking happy healthy thoughts for ya, and sending 'em off your way!!

well we are in quarantine lockdown here..Riley has been home from preschool since Monday and just when i thought we were in the clear with Jason and Cait not getting sick.....NOT!!!!! Cait started :-& last night at midnight...not very good timing when we are due to have 8 girls sleeping over for her bday on Friday night..so i have had to postpone the sleepover much to Cait's dismay...dont think i would be too popular sending 8 girls home with a stomach virus!!!!!
on the upside of everyone being sick i have got an ungodly amount of housework done over the last 2 days as well as working afternoon shifts... thats the price you pay for going to the gym..it eats up your day..so no gym for 2 days has meant enormous amounts of housework getting done.. still miss the gym though :cry:
need to get back to the sick ones!
thanks for the visits..will check back in between :-& child
hugs bell :)

FINALLY!!!!! Confirmation for what I keep telling Shawn--he can have me fit, or he can have a clean house. But not both at the same time! (oh, wait, but I don't have a job...)ahh well, sending healthy thoughts your household's way...

Jason and i havent had that conversation but considering what i have gotten accomplished the last couple of days whilst not going to the gym i am sure he knows the truth also..ah well..i need to work harder a keeping all the balls in the air at the same time!
thanks for the healthy thoughts.
hugs bell :)

It's like looking at my life.. (minus the stomach flu..).. My house suffers when I go to the gym. Oh well.. ;)

Actually, I have added a lot of chores to Kaitlin and Hope's day and things are going really well! It's amazing what they can do. :) But they're home from school for the summer..

Corinna

i knew you would be able to relate Cori!!!! i do the basics but things that arent as obvious( behind doors) like cleaning out cupboards etc i put off for an eternity..amazing what i found today when i finally got in and did it!
there must be some balance there..i just need to find it! i am feeling good about what i have achieved over the last few days...more to do and i plan to for the next few days as i am likely to remain quarantined..Jason has come home with it from work 8-|
oh well thats all of us that have had it or are over it..cant get any worse from here!
hugs bell :)

That stomach bug is going around! Hope I don't catch it. My middle DD had it a few days ago, sleeping and vomiting. Yesterday DH had it. Today my 4 month old son has been throwing up. Only my older DD and I have escaped it, thus far. I'm not holding my breath! At least it seems to pass quickly. Everyone gets over it after a day.

yeahbut...what about Casper? :tomato:

Bell, sorry the whole house is sick! I hope you get better. I hope it's not contageous on DT! ha ha ha. Tell Cait to feel better too, and even if she has to postpone her party, I'm sure she'd have more fun later, when everyone is feeling good.

Have a great day bell!

E-gads....I guess this means this thread is loaded with your virus germs now :-& . Hmmmmmm, I should of checked for the quarantine sign before I visited.

Anyhoots, get plenty of rest, don't cough on the dog, hang in there. :)

ech ! I hope you don't get it my friend............ :(

Beth :dance:

Sick kids, sick everyone. I hate throwing up. I think I hate it worse than anything, even if it means I will lose a few pounds along the way. I hope everyone is much better soon!

:)

well i escaped quarantine today and went to my PUMP class then Cait and i did some bday retail therapy..Jason is almost recovered from the virus now so the house will soon be sickness free!!!!
i agree Chum..there is nothing quite as foul as throwing up!
Beth- i was the first to get sick but as mothers do i still had everything to do so i just got on with it..you know men and illness..you would swear they had a limb amputated 8-|
Diz- i dont think you stand a chance of not getting it..of course it can never be everyone with it at once so its out of the way..has to be long and drawn out 8-| you are right thoug..its over and soon as it starts!!! nice to see a new face visiting my journal...thanks!
Jess- luckily the dog escaped it..not sure it would have been any worse than what i have already dealt with..at least it would be outside!
Rikki and Jump you better get yourselves disinfected to avoid getting sick! Riki- Cait and i bought the first 2 HP books today so we will start reading them together tonight.
well promised Caspy a walk/run so i better get my butt moving.
hugs bell :)

Uh oh. I think that means I need to start reading Harry *now.* (then we could have Harry discussions.) (but I'm too busy reading Substantial Literature, like "Leave it to Cleavage" and "The Banished Bride." )

i went and bought a serial killer dismembering type today too..."Live Bait"..feel free to go get that to read and we can have some warped discussion on that if you would rather :laugh:
The first 2 Harry's will be fine to get through but the latest one will take a while to read little by little as bedtime reading..maybe i can pretend i havent read it and read it while Cait is at school...thats sneaky though!!! Not Glenda the Good Witch behaviour at all :D
The personal trainer i was doing the running group with is trying to guilt me into going back to it..snide little remarks about upcoming runs etc that would be "easy" for me..he succeeded in making me feel guilty enough that i did a decent 40 minute interval run this afternoon...just wasnt pushing me enough(the group)..may be some new members now..should look into it or invest in some tape to close Dan's mouth with!
hugs bell :)

balance=hiring a housekeeper! I'm doing that when I get my $$ from the video - just someone to come in once every two weeks to do the corners, etc.. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeee

Bell, I love scary books! One of my favorite authors is Tami Hoag. My favorite book of hers is "A Thin Dark Line" It's very good. I also love Dean Koontz. My favorite book of his is "False Memory" However, I also get the scary dreams, so I have to throw in good books, like the ones Jess is reading right now! Oh, and Harry Potter. I am almost finished with the 6th one.

I just lysol-ed my screen, so I should be safe! :tomato: Seriously, I hope your family is feeling better.

Have a great day!

a housekeeper would be heavenly Cori!!!! i would probably be the sort of person that would clean before the housekeeper came so it wasnt too messy!!! LOL...
Rikki- Tami Hoag and Dean Koontz are 2 authors i have read a while back..havent read anything from them for a while..i really like Jeffery Deaver, Patricia Cornwell and a English Author Martina Cole.. i am always on the lookout for new authors..i have been reading a lot of lighter comedy type books lately..i am overdue for a decent scary one.. i never get scared by them though..same with scary movies..havent found one that scared me too much!
Looks like we are a sickness free zone as of this morning..both kids will be back at school today and Jason is feeling better. i will head out to STEP class this morning and then catch up with my best friend for coffee afterwards.
hugs bell :)

Have had a very enjoyable stress free day..went and sweated buckets at STEP class..there was a new lady trying the class out for the first time and came and started asking me all sorts of questions..i answered as best i could and told her the instructors name..she then apologsied as she thought i was the instructor..i will take that as a compliment :o wish i looked like the STEP instructor she has abs of steel!
I was getting sick of the shaggy dog hairdo i had happening so went and got a fair bit cut off..bought some hair color so i will do that this afternoon too.. a good haircut and color always makes me feel good.. busy weekend coming up with Caitlin's bday plus she has her school fair on the same day also..we are going to get her ears pierced tomorrow for her bday..hopefully it wont be too traumatic!
hugs bell :)

My sister's heavily into Patricia Cornwell.

Ooooooooooh!!! Ears piercing!!!!! how fun for her, all grown up and nig girl-ish!! That's so awesome of you to do with her (and props for waiting until she was old enough to decide to do it!)

How very cool, to be mistaken for the step teacher!!! :D (and how very cool to be at the gym, and free from sick, sick sick-ies!!)

Thanks Jess,
not sure why i went to step today as we just went out for dinner and i didnt make the healthiest choices..ah well you get that..i am over the guilt thing..i have been eating well all week and one days calories never quite stayed in my stomach so thats not so bad..plus i will be hitting the gym tomorrow morning for PUMP class plus some extra cardio time on elliptical or bike.
cait is excited about getting her ears pierced..she wanted them done last year but i thought it was more that her friend had just got them done..so i am finally convinced that she is doing it for the right reasons.
Caitlin told me my red hair is beautiful..she clarified by saying i was always beautiful...Riley on the other hand wants to know where my brown hair has gone..the kids and Jason are sitting down to watch The Pacifier..i will watch the football..may jus sneak out for a drink in the scene where Vin has just a towel on :D
Yay for no more sickness!!! Touch wood!
hugs bell :)

Glad the family is feeling better! :D

I am with you. I always feel like a superstar after I get my hair done!

Wow, I think I got my ears pierced when I was like 5 or 6. My mom wouldn't let me do any more while I was living at home. I added two more to each lobe, and 2 cartalige piercings when I got to college! I hope I don't look like an over-pierced crazy person! I tried to keep it classy.

Have a great day, Bell. I am with you on not beating myself up over a meal here and there that is higher in cals. I don't think a day off here and there are bad things. It's when we justify weeks off! :) Have a fun birthday party!

afternoon friends..
well the ear piercing went off without a hitch..there was a glimpse of a back out at the last moment (when the gun appeared)..but she is loving herself and catching a glimpse of gold in the mirror at every opportunity! i got my eyebrows waxed at the same appt so Caitlin got the better deal and thought so herself after watching my eyes watering as the hair was being ripped to within an inch of its life.
Felt pretty good this morning and increased my weights at back/hamstrings and triceps at PUMP class..had a 2 hour nap and now am revitalised and ready to embark on some housecleaning before inlaws and parents both turn up tomorrow for bday activities..as usual its all about getting half of Jason's family in the morning and then shipped out before the other half arrives in the afternoon!!!! ah well some things never change.
am working on the face painting stall at the fair tomorrow..dont think the kids know quite what they are in for..hope i dont need my face painted too!! maybe i