Yes you are writing in time and I thank you very much! The rest I'm hoping will save me in the a.m.!! LOL! You are doing an expert job on the american "TERMS" but there are plenty more AREAS yet to be covered!!! No pun intended!  Ok now explain knackered!!! I don't believe it's a swear word in the U.S. but what it means may be! I bet your daughter gets a very good work out with the kickboxing?!! Oh to be young.....I didn't exercise much then either! Oh well just to be youngER would still be nice! Hope everyone has a great evening/day! Maybe I will be less a lb or two in the a.m.! I'm hoping its water weight! Will talk to you again tomorrow friends!

OK - out here on the "west coast" (not that Arizona has a coast) it is still only 4 pm so I am officially posting within Connie's preset time frame!

Love your "Americanisms" Alison - frankly I doubt that we Yanks know what we're all talking about half the time! Anyhow, the one I do know is "muffin top" -- it's not exactly the mid-waist fat, but that area that just pooches out right on top of the top edge of your waistband of your pants. Especially if your pants (knickers?) are a bit too tight and they squeeze your middle causing a bulge to come out on top of the pants. There is this hysterical female comedian that I've seen (middle aged woman; clean, Christian comedy) who does a whole routine about trying on lower-rise jeans and the salesclerk telling her not to worry about her "muffin top".

Just picture a really large muffin spilling out of the muffin pan, that's the "muffin top".

Ok - well to everyone else (including our new "SknSue" - WELCOME), hope you're doing good today/tonight. Connie - I'll be glad to send some of our heat your way if you can figure out how to do that. Summer is already arriving here, which means we won't have cool weather again until October.

Alylou- hope you got through that mountain of papers that needed grading. When is school out for you? My kids get out on May 22nd this year (school starts August 11th though).

Bye All - talk to you all again soon, I hope.

And we call our language "English"! Connie, knackered: bushed, wiped, exhausted, tuckered out, pooped out, used up, or just tired.

Funny stuff this language thing: Muffin top started as a teen derisive thing. as in " look out, middle aged muffin top headed your way!". I remember the first time I heard it, the kids (not my own for a change) were so shocked that I figured out immediately what they were talking about! But it is just so  dead on (you Brits would say "spot on")!!  So Alison you can be fixated on USA, I'll stare back at you as a reluctant Anglophile.

My hubby and I love to watch old movies (YEA Netflix!) and we find we like the Brit ones better than many of our own!  Keeping Mum, any thing Jane Austin, and beloved Monty Python are hits in my house. ( I have to admit, we have an overabundance of history degrees  in the family)

Sue, It sounds like you skipped spring! We always say spring is brief here, but at least there is a bit! Frankly if it meant I could spend my days on a chair under a tree reading a good book, your heat sounds nice.  But our school year doesn't end until June 6th. so I will have to slog on for a bit yet.

Movie is about to start in the basement, popcorn is popped (Curves 90 calorie) and I am ignoring the grading pile tonight! 

Goodnight!

Well my night is winding down as well (almost 10pm EST in US), but it seems you have been squeezing in the last conversations of the day and I had to pop out here and catch up even if I don't have the strength of any remaining wit (or brain cells) to reply!!   I hadn't heard the term "muffin top" before myself, so I consider myself more educated as I slide off to bed.  Hope you all had a satisfying day and that tomorrow will bring new blessings to you each.  I have to be up for a 7am meeting and have horse chores to do before that... so I will bid you all a pleasant night or start of your day (as it may be) and I must get a few hours of shut-eye.  

Cheers, skn

Ok ladies! It worked! I'm back to 138 so now I am a believer...LOL Hope everyone is healthy happy and down a lb or two as well! Wanted to ask if any of you have tried the Jimmy Dean de-lites breakfast sandwhich? It's quick only takes 1 minute although it says 2 on the package in the microwave. It tastes like an egg mcmuffin and has (i believe) 230 calories and 7g fat. Not bad if you don't cook it too long. Just thought I would share. Today is one of my "catchildrens" birthday so WE will be enjoying TUNA at some point today!  Aly I kinda figured that was what knackered meant but these days you really want to be certain! so thanks.  Sue I believe you can hold off on sending the summer to me it is supposed to heat up to the 70's today after 30's...that is always hard to adjust to for me with the asthma (and the allergies are driving me a bit crazy right now. ) Skn I envy your being around all the beautiful horses but not so much on all the chores! Alison I'm still depending on that reading material to keep down my snacking so POST POST POST..LOL ONLY KIDDING sort of. Afterall it did seem to do the trick! Later girls!    Connie

HI girls! Well, I put in a 4.0 mile walk today. That's the 3rd, yes count 'em, 3rd time I've exercised this week. A new world-record for me! I do love to walk and it brightens my day. Why I don't make time for it everyday, I don't know. . . I guess simply because it really does take a lot of time; and that isn't available everyday. Once my kids are out of school, I plan on walking at 6 AM, until it gets too hot for that.  Believe me - in Arizona even 6 AM can be too hot.

Well, the weekend is just around the corner. Any plans you'd all like to share? This is May 1 - when I was a child growing up in Suburban Chicago, we celebrated May Day by picking flowers, bundling them in little baskets, delivering them to the neighbors and ringing the bell and running away to hide. I don't suppose anyone does that anymore, do they? It is a fond memory. We were especially delighted if we could find Lilies of the Valley growing - but that weren't usually in bloom yet.

Happy May Day to you all. "Ding-dong" {me delivering flowers to you}

Good for you on the walking! It is definitely warming up here so I should be doing the walking myself.....anyway Thank you for the may day flowers they are beautiful! I think that is a wonderful memory to have and it's too bad that things like that are (for most) never seen. You have a wonderful day! As for my weekend I have one of those tempting cookout/parties with friends planned IF it doesn't rain all weekend! I promised myself I would really be good this time so cross your fingers for my success ok?!! LOL 

Sue, *eyes closed* they are beautiful! And I just love violets! you are ever so thoughtful...

Good for all of you and your exercise, I fear I am the slouch here... I love to do things, ski, hike, kayak, ice skate, and  ride bikes!  The idea of dancing around or rowing some machine is enough to drive me mad. Oh well, last night hubby and I rode our bikes, so maybe we will try to make that a regular event. and now that summer is looming, I'll get out and do more.

This weekend is pretty quiet, but next weekend my son goes to U of Chicago for a campus visit..I'm thinking the Palmer House and Bergoff's ...Sound familiar Sue?

Connie: plenty of MMEEEOUWWs to your birthday buddy! Do you eat the Jimmy Deans for breakers or lunch? I might try some for lunch...I like that idea!

Skin, what kind of riding do you do? My eldest rode dressage and eventing as much much as she could through high school, she even worked at the barn for a year or so. College has gotten in the way this year.  I love the animals, but I haven't ridden since I was a kid.

Alison, How are you doing? Is your daughter all back to normal? and hubby doing ok still with the running? and your Mom? am I asking too many question? help! I cant stop......

An early night for me, hormones are flaring and I've got to be in charge tomorrow, so SSSLLLEEEEEEP is on the menu!

Well girls I am holding on this a.m. to 138.0 so I am headed in the right direction...Aly, Tyler said thanks and that he had a PURRfect "tuna" birthday dinner with his siblings. One thing that keeps me busy other than my sweet liitle Mom is cat "catching"!! You see I seem to have some very irresponsible neighbors and about the time I befriend, catch spay etc the strays around my neighborhood it seems someone else brings in a kitten that grows up and NATURALLY ends up in heat...thus what happened this a.m. I call her Ebony she is a beautiful long haired solid black beauty that had kittens 2 months ago but I couldn't figure out where she had them....well friends guess what I saw this a.m.????? So far three little puff balls all long haired mewing their little heads off but scared to death of me! I have some work to do don't ya think?? They are precious. I try and find homes (which I have been very successful) but am running out of people/family/friends....MONEY! I enjoy so much taking care of animals but with no job at this time and taking care of my mom (who by the way is still cancer free YEA!) anyway I'm beginning to take on more than I can handle. You remember from the beginning post I do have 5 inside only babies of my own! So boy do I wish some of you lived closer I could really use some kind helpers to find these babies homes. Wish me luck! These are wild at this time so maybe I'll get my exercise in this way!      Have a great weekend! Oh by the way I added a couple of you to my friends list that I didn't have!

Connie - The Jimmy Dean de-lites sound like a nice treat.  I have been eating 1/3C of oatmeal for the last few months, but it is eventually going to get warm here and I think oatmeal will not be so appealing at that point.  I have also tried scrambling an egg with some water in it so it is pretty light and adding some chopped snow peas and about a tsp of light cream cheese for a breakfast that tastes more like I am letting myself indulge!!

Sue - Thanks for the thought of May-day flowers (albeit I am catching up a day late).  I also remember picking the little purple wild violets or trilliums for my mom on Mothers day which is right around the corner.

Alylou - Although I haven't found time to fit riding into my insane schedule for years (except when on vacation and we do the rent-a-beast thing), my QH's are reining bred; so *western dressage*.  I rode Western as well as a little Hunt seat and sidesaddle when I was young.  I had a horse with me at college, but after college when "work life" begain, it seems I ran out of time for riding <sigh>.  I used a trainer to show and put earnings on our current stallion.  Similar to what your eldest did you probably know -- reining is a judged pattern -- but with a bit more speed. <G>   For those not familiar with reining - there is a really nice freestyle youtube clip at  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxUGEN9kS9o  or just look up "Stacy Westfall Brideless"  Gives you the gist of it and I also emotionally connect with that clip as I lost my dad recently too.

Exercise -- well I have not been into any structured exercise program yet; unless we count the horse chores <G>  I REALLY wish I could be out there walking or hiking.  However I have pretty "limiting" pain in knees & hips so that has been my road block.  My best form of exercise would be swimming, but the closest pool is ~15miles and the time factor (well, procrastination too) has kept me away.  Feb '07 I spent over $800 on a membership and perhaps used the facility 30times.  Very expensive swims to say the least!!!!  However,  I do need to start thinking of some toning types of things though (abs, arms and thighs -- what a surprise) and that I can do even at home if I put my mind to it.

My weekend is regular work (moving hay & grain plus reg chores) and my daughter has two soccer games.  Hopefully the weather will be kind.  Hope you all have a great weekend too.

skn

Hi ya Ladies.

Rain+storms+thunder+lightening=no walk.

What a big disappointment.

Connie, I would love to take your excess kitties but my pair of fierce Westies would gobble them up!

Alison: I miss you!

gotta run...more later

Well, obviously I am having a much duller Friday night that the rest of you exciting chicks!

We did go out to dinner, a new Thai place that was much more upscale than I thought! but an awesome meal...and I am still under my goal for the day!!

So a glass of wine and off to bed.

Skin, I plan to look at that youtube tomorrow...today was just whacky!

PS did buy some of those JD de-lites...looking forward to them!

YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA I weighed 136 this a.m.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But I didn't have dinner last night..um well...I had 3 pina coladas........so It will show up in a day or two I bet! Have a fun weekend. Oh remember not to microwave the JD breakfast for more than one minute! I tried the lean pocket bacon egg and cheese and they are also good. I have to eat two of them to be satisfied but they are only 140 calories a piece so still not bad for breakfast and something is working!!!!!  Later girls!

Good Morning -

Well, I just came home from a 4 mile walk. I tried to push myself a little faster today - we'll see how the ol' calves feel tomorrow about that! I worked the snack bar (of all things) at my daughter's band bingo night last night. Cookies, chips, pizza, oh my - but I only drank water and came home to eat a decent late dinner.

I had to get up at 4:30am today to give my husband a ride to the airport. He is off to Roatan, Honduras for a week to go on his "was-gonna-be-once-but-now-its-an-annual--thing" scuba diving trip. No . . .I don't dive. And, I don't travel without my kids, either, so this week of his is always a hard one for me. Anyhow - in previous years I ate and drank, this year, diet and exercise. Hmm?? How's that gonna' work?

Connie - good luck with the kitties. I have soft-hearted friend here named Callie (whose sister's name is Connie) that takes in all the stray kittens, too.

Alylou- hoping you get some nice weather to get outside and enjoy this weekend.

SknSue- you said you don't really get much "exercise" but all that work with the horses sounds like A LOT of exercise to me.

Alison, oh Alison, where are you? We miss you.

bye, Sue

Hi everyone.  Sorry I haven't posted for a while - I thought it was only a day but its been several days.

Hope you are all doing well.

Aly - sorry about your walk - its a real bummer!  (Am I allowed to say that moderators????)

Connie - want your kitties! but I have a rescue moggy - ginger and real anti social!! and he may just sit on them (I don't think he could muster the enthusiasm for anything else more active)

Skn - oatmeal - I guess is the same as porridge oats.  If so, I'll be eating it when its 100 deg I love the stuff!!  Anyway - whats the likelihood UK will get that warm??

Sue - thanks for the flowers!  Well done on the exercise as well!!

I've been ok - doing turbo jam now for my cardio and having a lot of fun with it.  Haven't lost any weight but my clothes are fitting better so I'm ok with that.

Speak to you all soon - when I can fight the children and husband for a "turn" at the computer!!

Hey all, rain and storms still, but I just got a DVD of workouts from the biggest looser, so I'm working up my courage to give it a go! anybody know anything about the "airdine' machines? neighbors have one for sale at their yard sale.

Connie: CONGRATS!!! you made me LOL over your "dinner" last night. I did the same thing a night or two when we were on vacation....

Sue, impressive walk! Diving is not for me either, but I have gone out on the boat as my two youngest dive...I snorkel, they dive, thats enough for me! maybe add some shopping to the diet and exercise! After all, he is spending a ton this trip....(does that help justify a bit of shopping?)

Alison, Hi and congrats on the inches lost...after all that is the real goal!

by the way: 131.8 this am!! I FINALLY broke the plateau...I hope...

Well my friends the pina colada night caught back up so I went from 136 back to 138 but its ok! I'm getting ready to spring clean my house (going to be 78 today) so it's open all the windows and clean clean clean! THAT will be my exercise for today! I'll probably let in all the pollen and sneeze for the next week but hey that probably burns a dot of a calorie each time so lets calculate how many times I need to sneeze to lose those 2 lbs!!  LOL Hope everyone else has a relaxing fun day! My neighbor is from the Honduras and wants me to go with him and his wife the middle of this month which I would love to do but I can't leave my poor little Mom or my cat kids for that matter for two weeks so.....I'm off to spring clean girls! Gosh I just realized what an exciting life I lead these days!!!   Later friends          ; Connie

Original Post by cantlose:

Well my friends the pina colada night caught back up so I went from 136 back to 138 but its ok!

Ahhhhh, but it was worth it -- maybe, doncha' think? I wouldn't mind a pina colada dinner one of these nights either.

Speaking of food - Mother's Day is a week away - anyone have plans? Did I tell you my (lovable, but sometime clueless) husband wanted to surprise me by taking me to an all-you-can-eat brunch! Hello - what was he thinking? (Sort of like when he brought me a Snickers bar to 'celebrate' my diet). Oh, the perpetually skinny ones just don't know how hard this is, do they? Anyway, we aren't going to the brunch. I told him it would be like bringing an addict in recovery into a crackhouse. We are going to go out though, and I think I'll just order one meal without worrying about the calories. But, hey, that's a week away. Lots to do before then.

Enjoy your day everyone, (even the house cleaning, Connie). Loved your comment about losing weight by sneezing! LOL

Sue

Hi all taking a quick break but um, guess what? I am doing the cleaning thing, have been since this a.m. but realized i had had no lunch but .....guess what???? I fixed another pina colada pitcher so am enjoying my house cleaning and have my honduran neighbor gonna help with some outside stuff and my other neighbor is gonna help me flip a mattress and put on a dust ruffle....i know you girls are all married but I swear u can get men to help even with household stuff (just for a pina colada) if you give 'em a chance ! I have actully gotten so much done! By myself, till now when the drinks came out!!!!!! Am I terrible???? The Honduran is married but his wife gets a drink for just chatting!!!! Fair??????  I'll let ya know what the scales think of this whole weekend in the a.m.!!!!!!!....right smiley add the horns!!!!!!   Connie

Well Connie, your weekend sounds like a fine mix of work with some fun thrown in.  Boy, a Pina Colada sounds scrumptious!! 

Alylou, it sounds like the new Thai place was terrific.  Wish we had more resturant choices in my neck of the woods.  Oh well, less temptation I guess.

Sue, your "walks" sound like they are adding on the miles for you.  I sure wish I could do that!!  Keep up the good work.   I did have to chuckle over your husbands all-you-can-eat brunch suggestion!! 

It was a cold rainy weekend here in VT, but the weatherman is predicting better weather tomorrow.  Figures!!  Weather gets nice just when we have to go back to work.  Oh well... I am thankful enough that the snow is gone.
I trust you all had a pleasant weekend.
skn