Post Chemo Spa & Shape Up

PuppyFive

Hi Everyone,

Raye, I too am sick at My Tummy! Sure hope You feel better soon !Mizsis,sending my  best to Beautiful Gina, Hope You

can take Her to Your House, She will be so spoiled and well taken care of! So Happy You are enjoying Your work, You Deserve it Sis

and I know the models are proud to work for You!

Casey, HEHE, Yes it is 5 oclock somewhere!! when You get home

maybe we can meet up, and go to the strip!

Paige, what a beautiful Family, I think Gus looks fine!!!

I have a jackrussel, What Legs!!!

JAZZZ, come back, and let us know how the soda drinking is going!

smoking is becoming my past and I Love it!!

gotta run, put wood on the fire, missing many but know I am thinking of Ya!!!

Puppy

paige-allyson

Hi fellow spa women-

Puppy: nice to see you again. That is SO great with the non-smoking life. I re-quit over a year ago and I so don't miss it. I love Jack Russels...dogs on springs.

Mizzy:Glad it hear it sounding hopeful with your friend. If that was a pic of her with the cats a few posts back, she's lovely.

Raye: Hope you feel better. Casey: Hope you didn't have un mal de cabesa hoy  porque tomas demasiado tequila o cerbaza o los dos juntos!

I am sitting by the woodstove getting ready to write the syllabus for the class I am going to start teaching on Tuesday. This was a sudden development so things will be a little busy for me for a while. Allyson

acgw

Allyson,

I don't think so....

What are you teaching and how did class go today? 

I have now had one more experience I could have done without in this lifetime (The others being mom's early death, my business being flooded out and bc).

I was rear-ended Sunday afternoon about 2 1/2 hours from my beach home and 4 1/2 hours from WV.

The guy in front of me had come rather quickly to almost a dead stop in order to try and merge to the left.  I was slowing down in response to that when WHAM! It sounded like a gun going off. I avoided hitting the guy in front of me who then used the break in the traffic caused by the accident to merge into traffic and drive off.  Ass^*^@.  

Hit by a 70 year old man with no previous accidents. We just looked at each other and said, "Okay, what are we supposed to do now."

He was embaressed and shaken up.  I was certainly shaken up.  The Honda, which my husband and I have not so affectionately called, 'The piece of sh*t car (a lemon), certainly took the crash well. (I  estimate he hit me at 35 mph while I was probably going 10 or 15 mph) .

Long story made short.  My DH drove up to Clayton, met me and brought me back to the beach. Our friends who own a body shop, got the car and now I am driving a minivan until my car is fixed.

Gus and I seem to have weathered the crash well although he did sleep between the front passenger seats on the way home vs sprawling in the back of the van. I am sore in my lower neck and between my shoulder blades but expect that will go away in a few days.

Tonight I am going to see Stomp. (I saw it about six years ago and can't wait to see it again.)

Puppy,

Congrats on the smoking!

I would like to get to the strip soon, hopefully in February!

Ladies,

Have a super day.

Casey 

Mizsissy

It's a new week...and so far, I think it's getting off to a much better start than last week.

First of all, Gina is out of the hospital already;she'll be recuperating at home and taking lots of blood thinners, but she's going to be OK and that is great news.

Went to see my PCP yesterday--she's really wonderful, a lot better than my onc--and she's checking my blood levels to find out what has been causing the cramping.  She's also putting me Fosamax to supplement my calcium AND Vitamin D, which she says is just as important as the calcium.  So girls, listen up, after menopause you not only need 1600 units of calcium per day (no more than 500 at one dose cause your body won't absorb it), but you need about 1200 units of Vitamin D.   And this is the result of new research; almost none of the vitamin supplements have enough.   This is all for your bones.

And she also wrote me out a prescription for "Strength Training."  Not that I haven't been doing it, but I need to do it more.  She says that aerobic exercise and strength training are just the best things you can do for your bones.  So we can use her prescription to pay our fees at the clubhouse, to get access to the workout room, and get reimbursed by Erik's tax deductible medical reimbursement plan. 

And to put the icing on the cake, Erik and I are GIVING UP DRINKING FOR LENT.  We've already started and we already feel healthier.  I realize that the buzz I get from having a drink only lasts about a half hour, then it's all down hill from there....we started yesterday and it was so nice to have an evening with all my wits about me.  Not that we every "overdid"...never more than 1 1/2 drinks at a time, but we were just getting sick of doing this day in and day out because we'd established a habit.  Life IS possible without drinking, and it might even be better! 

So that's a lot about me. 

I just got off the phone with Puppy; we had a nice catch-up call after not talking since sometime since the middle of last week. Puppy is down to about one puff per day; we are soooooooooo proud of you Lady...to quit despite everything else that has been happening lately!!

Casey, very sorry to hear about your car mishaps, thank God they were just that and no one was seriously hurt.  There is nothing worse than a car accident to upset your day in a major way.  At least you get to spend a little more time at the beach now. 

Allyson, this teaching business has me very excited.  What subject?  My guess in English lit; am I wrong?  Did I miss something here?  Just hope it doesn't take you away from us too much.

Raye & Allyson...to think that you had to go through a BC diagnosis at such an early point in your marriages...that was quite a test.  I do think though that it can be a positive thing and bring you closer; I had been married almost 20 years, and surprisingly enough, I think our marriage has been strengthened in the last year.  Love the pix!!!

Mary...nice to see you again, but you know, we aren't seeing enough of you!!  You promised us pix!!!  Do you need a lesson?!!!

Tina, hope you're over the flu bug...BTW, how is your butt?!!!   Just kidding ...posting stats is not a requirement here but it is an incentive.  It took me about two weeks to get on the scale and I was up to 135, but now I'm down 2 1/2 pounds.  Raye, and Mary have updated our Spa Weights doc, but I haven't seen anybody else there yet.  If you have trouble making it work, let me know.  I don't think you will if you click on the link in the email I sent...

Dottie, you're making yourself scarce but we know you're busy with Union stuff, and that's important.

Hey Jazz, come back whereever you are...hear things have got a little stormy round the campfire....we want to hear about your resolutions and your exercise...we're here to help!!

We've got a picture perfect snowy day today; I've got half a mind to just forget about drawing and put on my skis and go for a little run on my own. 

Sorry for such a long post..I've still got a lot of news to tell but I want to hear all or yours...

XXXOOO Mizsissy 

Anonymous

Hey I'm here!  I've done really well these last 5 days on the soda.  Not a single one.  I also broke a weight barrier that I haven't been able to get below for about 6 months.  I've lost a total of 4 pounds now so far since the first of the year.

Mizsissy

Congratulations Jazzzz...that's great to hear!!!!!!!!!

You know, we do have a chart where we can record our progress and you're welcome to try it out.  In fact, I'm going there right now to record my loss before I get tempted to gain it back!!!

Miz 

Anonymous

Has anyone here used the new diet aide named Alli?  Its supposed to be FDA approved and a friend of mine said her pcp recommended it to her.  She's lost 13 pounds on it.  I guess I'm reluctant to try diet aides anymore since having an adverse reaction to metabolife.  Yes, I knew all the bad stories about metabolife going in but I had my head stuck in the sand with the old 'that won't happen to me' theory.

Raye99

Hola Casey - how are you feeling? Just a bit shaken up? What an ass that guy was who drove away. I saw Stomp in the late 90's and loved it. Very entertaining.

Miz - Yes, weight training. It is so important as you know, but LORD it is boring (I think so anyway); I've been trying. Glad to hear that Gina is doing better. Giving up drinking for Lent? That is great. I have to admit I had 3 Mic Ultras after my run last night. mmm. tasted so refreshing.

Allyson - Congrats on the teaching position, but I too hope it doesn't take you away from us too much.

Jazz, great job on the soda. As I type this, I am on my 2nd Diet Dr. Pepper of the morning. But I haven't smoked.

Puppy - speaking of smoking, you have soo much to be proud of. What a strong woman you are. Giving up the cigs is tough! Tremendous job.

Raye

abbadoodles

Miz, I'll thank you to keep your mitts off my butt. LOL  Actually, where did you send that email?  I have not received it.

Did not have a flu, just caffeine w/d.  And, yes, I'm fine, thank you.  Boy, my DH sure makes strong coffee!

Is it already Lent?  I remember one year I gave up beer (my drink de jour at the time) and I lost a lot of weight.  You might be on to something there.  But, that regimen requires sacrifice.  Ah, back to that Lent concept.

Since you asked, my butt is just about the same, thanks.  When my bs asked me why I wanted to lose weight (after I'd made some remark) because I was quite thin already, I pointed out that he just didn't notice my weight gain as I was sitting on it.  He looked appropriately thoughtful.........

Tina

paige-allyson

I am having a crazy busy day but had to stop by. Hopefully I can catch up tomorrow. Mizzy I'm really flattered by your guess but no- I'm teaching Abnormal Psychology, I love lit though and am a very literary minded psychologist (if that makes any sense). I am very excited re: teaching the class- a lot of topics I enjoy and am interested in. Raye and Tina glad you are feeling better. Casey- Glad you and Gus are in one piece (or actually 2 pieces unless something really weird happened in the accident ala National Enquirer). Mizzy glad your friend is recovering!!! Jasmine and Puppy excellent on the soda and cig quits respectively! Miz- on the no alcohol for Lent. You might remember that I said early on that I quit alcohol with the bc diagnosis. I'm actually happier, feel better with out it- rarely miss it despite being quite devoted to it at one time. Wish I could have discovered this sooner without the BC part thrown in. Oh well...Also- have found it to be a real help in losing weight- makes it easier. I imagine it's the same with the soda. Major payoff. Allyson

Mizsissy

Tina...I forgot what your resolutions were, are...and getting off caffeine is a good one.  No, it's not Lent yet, I just couldn't wait...I am so looking forward to cleansing my system...no IFs, ANDs or BUTTs..!!!

Speaking of which, Tina, you have to send me your email if you want to have access to our stats.  It's a private Google document and that's the way it works.  Google will also make you sign up for a *free* account with them,  butt that's no biggy...

I've never heard of Alli, Jasmine.  I've always stayed away from diet aids because most of them have some sort of speed that is not good for your heart.  Strangely enough though, Femara is a great diet aid!!!  We all know that estrogen causes weight gain, so anything that is anti-estrogen will help you lose.  I don't know how this actually works in the body,  but I do feel I have a heightened metabolism and things are always moving...inside and out   my diet motto, is if you aren't Movin your aren't LOSIN!!!

I could go on, and on, BUTT you've probably had enough!

Mizsissy

Good Morning Spa Girls.  Well it was barely 6 am when I decided I couldn't stay in bed any longer...I'm wide awake and feeling great and am not the least bit tired.  Is this one of the SEs of not drinking???  Problem is, what do you do when you are up this early and it's still dark?!! I guess that's a life style change I'll have to make.

I was very good yesterday.  Got in some walking and went to the gym...yeah Raye strength training IS boring, but my trainer told me (years ago) that when you are working with weight machines, you should start with the maximum weight you can do only eight times.  Keep that up until you get to 12 or 14 repeats, and then it's time to add more weight.  At that rate, I can do the whole circuit in about 15 minutes and I come out feeling like I had a really good workout...muscles singing.  Casey, you're the expert here...am I on the right track?

I think I have tendinitis in one of my knees though, so I'm just going to NOT exercise today and give it a chance to heal...perish the thought! Finally gave in and took some Darvocet last night...the pain wasn't that great but it's been nagging so long I just wanted a break from it.  And it worked like a charm..

Allyson, I really had you pegged as a literary person or a scholarly person of some sort.  Is DH also in psychology?

You girls have been such an inspiration to me with what you're doing..Puppy I know how hard it is to quit smoking and I am so proud of you...and Allyson, that is such a great weight loss...and all of you...just wanted to tell you that.

Miz 

paige-allyson

Good morning -

Missy you're up at my favorite time today. I LOVE being up early- especially when it's still dark. The only annoying thing is that I ALWAYS wake up early no matter when I get to bed. Last night I was up till about 10:30 after getting home at 8:30 from my class- did not get quite enough sleep. I need to get used to this because the class normally goes till 9:30 and it's a half hour drive home.

The class was great- I totally enjoyed myself- nice students who are really interested in psychology- including the history side of things which is great because I like to teach that. I had been bored and miserable for a few years working inpatient in a situation where there was not a lot of autonomy. With the bc I took a medical leave and used the opportunity to change my work life. Now I do private practice and the teaching, both of which I LOVE. I occasionally cover at the hospital but only if and when I feel like it . I am trained as a clinical health psychologist (how ironic is that!) but am doing a lot of general practice right now.

Mizzy in answer to the DH question- he's not in psychology- he's an IT Manager- funny because he does not fit the sterotype at all. He used to be an environmental chemist- didn't fit that sterotype either. He's the kind of guy who still as an adult wants to bring home lost dogs or will get up 4 times a night to feed kittens with a bottle- and he can help me with any computer problem imaginable which is great because I am not to good in the tech skills department. Okay thisis definitely enough about me- hopefully not TMI.

Interesting re: Femara as a weight loss aid- I had not thought of it that way. I certainly have not had a harder time losing or maintaining with it, despite all the stuff about menopause and weight gain. Re: recording those weight losses before you gain again- no kidding. I am up 2.0 this morning. I blame the saltly but very good whole wheat pretzels I ate yesterday- we'll see if those pounds go back to where they came from over the next couple of days.

Jasmine-I saw an ad for alli- I'd pass on it myself- no such thing as a free lunch as the saying goes- so much stuff that the drug companies put out there end up having some nasty hidden cost. Quittng soda is a great way to lose weight- saves $$$ and helps by keeping something bad out of your body versus adding an unknown drug. Good for your bones too- carbonated drinks and caffeine contribute to bone loss so you are doing your body a huge favor to quit the stuff.

Unlike many of you I have not been so good in the exercise dept- between the busyness and the cold temps we've had here. Will attempt to right this today. I am definitely going to do some stretching. The only bad part of my class last night was that toward the end I got a severe pain in the a**, literally, I've had this before but now with the BC I was a bit freaked out by it. Usually it's been triggered by driving for long periods and goes away with standing walking but last night I could not get rid of it no matter what I did. It's a bit better this am. I did drive a lot yesterday. I think it's muscular but not sure- if stretching helps that would be a good sign.

Raye- loved your pics on the face to name thread! Puppy how's the  quit- how are you feeling? Casey- how's the stiffness from the car crash? Allyson

Raye99

Hi Ladies, a quick post today to say hello- I am quite slammed at work today (which is good - muy bien).

I hope everyone is doing well -Let me try the bolding of the names technique, I like it.  Casey, I hope your feeling ok? Miz - love your motto about not movin' and not losin' - ain't that the truth. Allyson - your career sounds fascinating, I'll try not to come to you for counseling *wink*. Pupster, Mary, Jazz, Dottie, Carol, Cathy, Tina, hope you're all well and happy (I hope I didn't forget anyone). House hunting lately and it's freaking and stressing me out.

Been running at least 3x per week.

xoxo

raye

paige-allyson

Raye- You seem to have an endless supply of gorgeous photos and/or endless supply of gorgeousness. Re: the psychologist thing- I hesitated to say anything about what I do for work intially but then I saw that there were other people in healthcare- nurses etc. who are open about what they do, and it didn't seem to create any problems.  Hey- I might come to you or anyone else here for counseling/advice/support-I leave the psychologist thing at the office and classroom. Casey, Puppy, Mary, Jasmine, Dottie, Carol, Cathy, Tina, Mizzy- hope all is well- hope you didn't all flee in horror when I said what I do for work. I doubt ,this but I did "talk" once with another psychologist on a quit smoking site back when I was smoking and trying to quit- she said she had an experience where she mentioned her work on a dieting thread she was part of and it seemed to weird people out. Exercise has not been happening for me these last couple of days- it's been crazy with work, the sudden teaching thing, a radiation onc followup, a great lunch out in Mystic today with daughter and her grandmother. On the way back we saw all sorts of ducks and swans fishing in the Mystic River. When the swans heads were down they loked llike hunks of snow floating on the water. MizS I have had this idea about incorporating some short stories and essays into the readings for my class- you did have me pegged after all. One thing I am thinking of using is Best American Essays 2006 for the part of the course that focuses on stress and illness- my son's gf had recommended this volume to me- several stories about people's adventures in Cancerland- some not so cheerful but very very engaging and in many ways connecting with some of the things that I have felt/experienced/ thought about since I was diagnosed with bc. One of the essays is by Susan Sontag's son- very thought provoking and very moving. Allyson

Raye99

Allyson - Your ideas for reading material in class sound wonderful. I would recommend some for you, but don't know if they'd be appropriate or relevant - what class are you teaching? Sorry if I missed this. Thanks for the compliment. The pic was actually taken last night after a few beers. I clipped on some faux hair and took a pic. Totally weird, I realize, but I miss me some long hair.

Night ladies.

paige-allyson

Raye- Thanks- it's abnormal psych, so will cover the whole spectrum- mood and anxiety disorders, PTSD, stress and illness, psychotic disorders, violence. I would like to incorporate readings that take people inside the experience rather than just talking about symptoms and blah blah blah- which have their place but don't give the big picture. In addition to the Best Essays selections I was going to include The Things They Carried- by ...Tim O'Brian (I think that's his name- have the book upstairs) very intense short story that puts a human face on Vietnam experience. I love book suggestions period and if you have any ideas of things I might consider for the class that's even better. I'm looking at the pic trying to understand where the hair is clipped on- it's pretty convincing. Allyson

Raye99

Allyson - the class sounds truly interesting. Something I would really enjoy. I read a book, which I consider the best bc story I've read thus far - "My One Night Stand with Cancer" by Tania Kattan. It was wonderful! Not only did the author hold NOTHING back, she was forthright, honest and funny, I mean laughing out loud funny. Not sure if it is class material, but as a survivor, I highly recommend it. My 2nd fave (not bc, but cancer in general) would have to be "It's not about the bike" by Lance Armstrong. Such an inspiration.  

The hair. ha. Two separate pieces, one clipped on in the back of my head, the 2nd clipped on sideways to cover the top of my head and sides. As I mentioned on another thread, the pic looks convincing (thanks) - real life, no way - we're talking BIG HUGE hair.

paige-allyson

I am going to check out the Tania Kattan book- read the Lance Armstrong during the summer- it is inspiring. For the class I can only use short things- the textbook is a ton of reading just on its own. It is an interesting class which is why I'm so psyched about teaching it. Allyson

acgw

Good evening ladies!

Raye,

I love the picture! 

I am going to get my hair cut tomorrow. I am trying to grow it back into a semblance of a bob.  It just however, may get seriously chopped if it looks stupid because my hair, minus the flippity ends, is fine, limp and just plane ugly.

Mizzy,

I can't claim to be the expert in the weight lifting dept. because at work we are unable to come up with a concensus. It is absolutely true that weight bearing exercise is important for the lower extremities but with regard to the upper extremities there is some research out there suggesting that slightly lighter weights lifted at very high rates of speed produces more stress at the musculotendinous junction then a heavier weight lifted slowly over 8 to 15 repetitions.  I figure something is better than nothing.

Jasmine,

Good going!

I agree with Allyson.  There are no free rides and the bottom line is you just have to burn more then you take in.  I have a number of morbidly obese patients and I always tell them, "Everyone has something in their diet that they can give up and just not miss."  I think giving up soda was a wonderful step in the right direction.

When I was a chunky teen and young adult I decided to take control by taking small steps.  In all honesty, it took me about four years to really get this food thing figured out.  For me, I stopped eating after 8:00 at night.  Then I stopped buying junk food with the exception of pretzels. I started to eat a lot more veggies.  After a while I just didn't miss the less healthy foods and found that when I did eat them, I could eat them in moderation. I now eat anything I want (except for bacon 'cause I just don't have an off switch for that)because I have figured out the input/output thing that works for my body.     

Allyson,

I love psychologists!

There have been two times in my life when I sought counseling.  Both women were the right match for me at the right time and helped bring me to a very good place. 

I cannot sing enough praises for those in your profession and I only wish we put the emphasis on mental health that we do on our physical health. 

Tina,

Be thankful for your posterior.  I have a flat Irish ass.

Hello Puppy and Cathy and Dotty and Carol. 

DottieW

Hello ladies! I was out of town for a week with no internet access. I was in Sarasota for, yes, union stuff, and then met Cathy in Orlando for a few days. I must confess we have been planning to meet since last summer, and it finally came to be! We had a blast. I was going to post a pic just now, but the photobucket site is down... hmmmm.

I had to catch up with over two pages of posts -- you girls are such active writers! Loved all the cat stories, movie listings, not smoking updates, praising the DH's (mine has put up with me for almost 28 years), and Allyson -- bodhisattvas?? I thought that was just a word Steely Dan made up! Mizzy, glad your beautiful young friend Gina is doing well, and I laughed at all your BUTT references!; Casey, hope no ill after-effects from your bang-up. Raye--love your pix... Congrats to everyone who is ticking off those resolutions! Whew... gotta hit the sack. I spent 12 hours at the office today... ick.  Dottie

Mizsissy

Good Morning Spa Gals..

What a morning! Got up early to go to Life Drawing (an hour's drive away) and it's snowing cats & dogs outside. I'm pretty chicken when it comes to driving through snow, so I decided not to go. There goes my life for another week!!!  But dh will model for me.

I've been busy organizing and re-organizing a life drawing group in Pinckney,and it looks like we're back in business now that Gina is out of the hospital and been recovering well. 

I've been having a hard time with all the resolutions.  The decluttering one was great...but I haven't been doing so well on losing weight.  I've been inactive and preoccupied...and NOT MOVIN!! I also stayed away from running a few days to try and heal my knee tendinitis but after a couple days I start feeling like a vegetable, so I ran yesterday and it felt so good, but my knee is awful today!!!

Well, I tried taking my first Fosamax and I think it's going to be a no go. You have to take it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach and stay in an upright position for thirty minutes. And if you have any problems with your esophagus you have to stop taking it...wellmy esophagus was bubbling and gurgling all day and I felt like the calcium had turned into a rock that wouldn't move...don't want to do that again.

Had a relapse on drinking too...it is so hard to get through a Friday night without a little celebration!!!  But I'm enjoy the nights we don't drink.

So many interesting posts here. I want to read that book Raye, My One Night Stand with Cancer. BTW, you look utterly georgeous. When are coming to my modeling class?

Allyson, psychology is a great field and you're class sounds like a lot of fun. I think it will be a great way to recover from this past year.

Puppy's internet service is down so she hasn't been able to get on the internet this week, but I can tell you, she is Still not SMOKING.. GO PUPPY!

Casey, thanks for the advice on the workouts...BTW, do you have any advice on tendinitis? 

Dottie, nice to see you. I know you're busy, thanx for checking in with us even so.  Carol, Cathy, Jazz,Mary...don't forget to check in too...we miss you!!

Geez, it's only 9:30 and I'm ready to go back to sleep!!!

Mizsissy

thomcat

Hi spa ladies:

Just checking in to say hello and let you know I check the posts almost everyday but am usually on the run so I haven't commented lately.

Exercising this year has been slow going because of my son's time off from school, my walking partner being sick, training my new pup, etc, etc, etc.  I know excuses, excuses, excuses.  Anyway, this week I got back on track and have walked 4 days.

As far as resolutions go, I'm in the process of decluttering my dh's office.  It's a small bedroom with a desk and boxes of old photos, momentos and the such.  I'm cleaning it out because we're going to set up a bed in there for my mom who is coming to visit Feb 4 for about a month.  Yikes!!!!  I'm excited yet apprehensive because she does not know about my dx.  She's 91 with heart problems and I thought it was too much for her to handle.  So, I'm packing away the bc books and stuff.  I'm donating my wigs to the ACS so it's a cleansing process.

Better run so I can be productive today.  It's gorgeous here in SW FL and ds and I are planting a garden.

Cathy

MaryGLA

Hi All!



I'm enjoying reading your posts, but it's been a while since I replied. Here's an update.



On Friday I got my nipple tattoos. I just did areolas at the ps's office. When those heal up, I may get a 3D nipple tattoo by a guy I read about who works in New Orleans. Today I got my first hair cut since October 2006. I will post a picture when my husband gets home. I only worked out once last week. Still holding at 130 pounds.



It is freezing here, and the Mardi Gras parades started last night. My husband is braving the cold for two today, but the kids and I are sitting in front of the fire reading books.



My best to you all. RAYE-that new picture is just glamorous, glamorous...

Mizsissy

Good Morning Mary & Cathy (& anybody else who might be enjoying a nice lazy morning)...

I am sitting here drinking tea with my laptop and dh, and enjoying a relaxed morning for a change.  Yesterday I tried to get up early to make it to a life drawing studio, made coffee and tea for us both in the dark, even though we were both tired.  IThen when it got light we saw it was snowing and unsafe to drive...but by then we were too wide awake to go back to sleep...had a tired day.  Next time this happens I'm going to dump the tea and coffee and waste that instead of entire day!!!

We were too loopy to get motivated to do much of anything so we went to see a matinee...Atonement....what a georgeous movie!!!...beautifully shot, a story beautifully told, full of human truths. A must-see...I think it's a candidate for best movie of year. Don't pay any attention to the reviews. Allyson, this is a must see for you, one of the best examples of psychological realism I've ever seen.  I've heard the novel is more powerful than the book.

Cathy, good luck with the decluttering.  Decluttering did more to llift my mood than anything else that has happened this year!!!  And congratulations on donating your wigs.  I'm still hanging on to mine.  My hair color has gone from light brown to black brown to strawberry blond in the past two weeks and last night I dreamed I had striped hair...Oh, just to have normal hair again!!! 

Mary, what's happening in New Orleans?!!  What neighborhood do you live in?  It's one of our favorite places. 130 sounds like an ideal weight for you.  Glad to hear of the reconstruction progress, as well as progress on the hair.  When are we ever going to see any of the promised pix!!

BTW, I found a wonderful new Google feature sharing pix...it let's you create a photo or slide presentation.  I've started a document with my pictures and it's very, very easy to edit.  I'll sent you all an invitation..

Puppy has strep throat again, but this time it's milder.  Seems that it's a new version of the bacteria that is more resistant to antibiotics...these new antibiotic resistant drugs are a little scary!!!  Hope you're feeling better today, and let me tell you, it's gets dull around here when we don't hear from you....!!

The tendinitis seems to be healing and I'm back to MOVIN & LOSIN...we may go for a ski today before the rain ruins the snow....  Love to hear from you Jazz, Raye...Dottie...Casey.... How's your weekend?

Abbadoodles..where've you been?!! 

Miz 

PuppyFive

Hi Ladies

just thought I would drop by and say "HEY"

XOXO Puppy

paige-allyson

Hi spa ladies-

I have really enjoyed reading the posts- want to respond at length- will get back ASAP. Mizzy- we are definitely going to see Atonement- that's for the review and for thinking of me- I am pretty sure you are right on that I'd love it- my mom mentioned it the other day- rave review and she's a real movie buff. Allyson

Mizsissy

Hey Gals,

Anybody who did not get an email to the Spa Gals Pix doc please PM me...I may have mispelled your email address or maybe you didn't give it to me.

Hey Puppy great to see you...how's that throat and WHERE ARE YOUR PIX????!!!!!

Did you get the email I sent?

Miz 

Raye99

Good Morning Ladies,

Casey - On the weight lifting issue, I have found that less weight and more repetitions (fast or slow) help me burn the fat more quickly. I use lighter weights for my arms and heavier less reps on my legs.

I am with you on the hair. My hair is not to my shoulders yet, all over the place and I wear clips in it to keep it in line. With a business trip to Chicago coming up, I am very nervous about what to do with it. Needless to say, it does not look very professional. Oh, and thanks for the compliments ladies, but it's a big farce, fake hair does wonders!!!

MizS - Received your document today - thanks. You and your hubby are so cute! Great pics -  and that Miranda, what a nice looking kitty, just a beauty. I didn't do that well last week with the drinking either, and I don't typically drink. Went to the gym and after I got home, had a couple Mic Ultras. Something about running and beer - nice combo.

Mary - You must be so excited to get your tattoos. How do they look? Is there much pain involved? I was thinking of getting a little tattoo myself on my breast (or lack thereof).

Cathy - good for you walking 4 days. Love your avatar. Is that a pink boa you are wearing?? ooh la la!

Dottie - you've certainly been keeping busy. Nice that you got to go to florida and see Cathy!

Hi Puppy - Great work on the non smoking!

Not much new with me. We brought some carpet for the basement and new blinds for the kitchen. I am trying to think of what color to paint the kitchen and spare BR. Ran 3x last week - about 3.5 miles each time. Getting better. Even did some crunches on the mat beneath the rock climbing wall. Quite ambitious for me.

Have a great Monday all.

Raye

Mizsissy

Good afternoon & help !!!...I have the strongest desire to bake up a batch of Homemade Scottish Oatmeal cookies (flavored with a teaspoon of scotch whiskey), OR some Oldfashioned Chewy Ginger Snaps!!  What is wrong with me?!!!  I  haven't made cookies since I was about twelve (& fat)!!!  I'm having a few ladies over for "tea" this week and it would be so nice to serve them something comfy & old fashioned. 

Dang!!...what would I ever do with all the whiskey leftover after I flavored the cookie batter with a teaspoon?!!!

Cookies are my downfall.  I made a batch of 104 sugar cookies once when I was about seven (I was an early baker), and locked myself in the storage room with a friend and we ate all 104 cookies.  My mother found the two of us groaning in there mid-afternoon.  We were too bloated to move!  So now I never bake or buy them, but sometimes I buy them one at a time.

A few thoughts on boobs....I am pretty flat chested and I never minded it and I personally think there is this wierd thing about American culture that puts too much emphasis on boobs.  Women come in all shapes & sizes and that's cool...vive la difference!!!   I've heard that in Brazil, breast REDUCTION is the most common plastic surgery...and take a look at Kiera Knightly in Atonement.  Nothing was done at all to hide the fact that she's quite small!!! Nothing feminine or sexy lacking here!!!

..the only really essential part of breast anatomy seems to be nipples, so Mary, I can understand why you are so excited!!!  So much for my lunchtime thoughts...more later...

Miz