Back on Track and well over 50

[BytheSea]

Good Luck on the interview Chris !

[Chris55]

Thanks, Gail! Don't know which is worse, crazy corporate business people or non-profit organizations that don't know which end is up half the time. Survived the interview, same questions as last time with 3 out of the four interviewers being new people. I'm so dizzy I'm about ready to go work in the local deli

Too many beans yesterday, I think. Stomach has been rumbling all day, luckily kept quiet for the interview. Having some mint tea, already hit the yogurt. Tonight's dinner will be roast chicken and veggies, not sure what's left so I may end up with carrots and a salad. DS is making mashed potatoes for him and dad. Trying to keep from eating crackers to calm the tummy, since they will set me off snacking for the rest of the day.

[BytheSea]

Hey Chris, I do so remember the "interview merry go 'round" when I was looking to get back into the outside working world. I feel for you, but You made me smile when you mentioned "deli work" . that is exactly where I started back, at the mom & pop store in town. truth be told, if they didn't sell I probably would still be there! But I went from slicing bologna to hearing bologna ( courtroom deals) Hang in there - it will happen.

Sooooo windy here today and a bit chilly .... I was even thinking about turning on the heat to get the chill out but a sweater took care of that and now a snuggly blanket.

those darn triscuits can set off a eating frenzy! I try to stay away from them, though sometimes they follow me home from the store and then plop down right next to me! tricky little devils!!!

Plan is be on track here, however I have had my fill of sugarfree jello for snac,think I'll have to hit the dessert section on this site for something new.

Take care ladies, enjoy your weekend and I'll catch up with y'all later ~ gail

[Chris55]

My heat is still on, but then it's been in the 30's at night occasionally. I have it set pretty low, but we still need it even with the down comforters on the beds. It's beautiful and blue today, but will probably only get into the 50's. And what is with that wind lately? It's like March!! The flowers are very happy about all the rain, though, and I keep finding hyacinths and other things (did I really plant irises?) that I forgot I planted last year. I think I was at Sam's Club one day and bought a few boxes of bulbs and tucked them in around my other plantings and promptly forgot about them. The grass is tall enough that I think DH is going to have to mow for the first time.

I've been in a triscuit free zone this week. DS picked up some other kind of crackers when we were at TJoe's, but I've been really good about eating veggies for my snacks. I'm even staying away from cheese, except for small amounts of feta and blue cheese for flavoring, maybe 1/2 ounce at a time. Staying away from the grains makes my body feel happier, too. I think this week the only grains I had were a pita and about 1/4 cup of brown rice. I've had some kind of starchy veggie now and then, too, but they don't seem to bother me at all. I don't know about you, but I never get cravings for squash or yams.

I haven't had an desserts other than gelato on Thursday. Will probably hit our custard place this weekend - Sunday's flavor is banana and DH is addicted. My favorite thing to do is to have fruit with lf ricotta. But I've recently discovered that the fat content of lf ricotta really differs by brand. I usually stay away from our local store brands because they're not very smooth, don't like the texture. But I think I'm going to go online and figure out which brands are lower in fat. Of course, I usually buy the ones that are on sale anyway!! Mostly I've been eating fruit, usually a banana and an apple every day unless I pick up some fresh strawberries. And I'm out of chocolate Dove squares, so can't dig into those either. Gotta put those on my shopping list

[lisa0702]

Good Morning Everyone! Yeah it is Saturday!!!! No work.

Sounds like everyone is doing well.

Gail - Congrats to the new grandbaby on the way! I know you are so excited and cant wait.

Chris - I hope you get the job and glad to see that you are really liking the hummus. It is the best way to get your veggies in.

feminist54 - Our Harris Teeter sells fat free ricotta cheese and it really is good. I cant tell the difference. Do you think fat free is better for you than reduced fat? Sometimes I think there is more carbs or sugar when it is fat free. I always wonder if I am better to eat fat free or reduced fat. I would love all of your opinons.

I have the triscuits with reduced cheese from time to time but I can no longer buy the Special K crackers as I could and would eat the whole box they are so darn good. When on WW I think 23 crackers were like 2 points.

I cant believe you guys have your heat on and it is almost May. We have the windows open which probably does not help with allergies but it does feel good and tends to air the house as I do have 3 dogs right now, 2 really need to go.

I am going to Old Navy today to check out their sale on 8.00 sun dresses and then once again clean house but first I will do my run. It is nice to be able to run in daylight on the weekend. I usually go around 7am or 8am.

Talk to you all later. Have a Great Weekend!!!

[Chris55]

Hi, Lisa! Sundresses? Brrrrr. Don't know if I'd ever wear anything from Old Navy. I need substantial fabric to cover bulges

Just completed my online ricotta research. We have few brands here, Sorrento and Sargento, and Hannaford or Shaw's store brands. Here's the deal for fat in 1/4 cup of each:
Sorrento part-skim 7.0g
Sorrento part-skim deli 4.5g
Sorrento low fat 2.0g
Sorrento low fat deli 2.0g

Frigo low fat 3.0g

Sargento part-skim 4.5g
Sargento light 2.5g

Hannaford part-skim 6.0g

[lisa0702]

Good Morning!

Chris you are so right about Old Navy - I did not buy a thing. That was a joke. I do not shop at Old Navy but the girls were talking about the sale. It was awful. Oh well.

I did not get to make my Shirataki noodles yesterday but I am definitley going to make them today for lunch. I can not wait to try these. Hopefully it will not be like Old Navy.
I hate clothes shopping.

Enjoy your Sunday.

[feminist54]

Morning: Found the shirataki noodles by the tofu in my ShopRite (go figure, right under my nose)...they are the tofu ones...had a package last night (1 pck= 1 serving for 20 cals) with brocolli & quick peanut sauce...they hit the spot, seving as a pasta stand in.
Bought my herbs for my deck pots yesterday, along with mesclun and nastruim seeds I plant in the big planter...I think I'll be able to leave them all out over night later this week (I did lose some of the herbs I nursed all winter, put them out in what I thought was a wind/frost protected spot....).

This is our last week of classes--this semester has whizzed by. This pile of grading, not so much (but it'll be done by tonight to be replaced by more papers tomorrow--if only I thought students learned something with multiple guess exams, by life would be way easier)...that students do not read is reflected in they lack of writing skills. Plus, they think they can just make a claim and it is so, with out substantiation......

ciao & I'm off and running (soon to be sitting and grading)

[Chris55]

Thank goodness my walk buddy was available this morning. I cannot seem to get out by myself, never walked this weekend. It was cold and windy, postponed walking until later in the day and it never happened. No exercise usually leads to a lousy night's sleep, so I was groggy this morning. We've been walking near my house, up to the end of a dead-end street with gorgeous homes. I always stopped at the last driveway and turned around, but people have been telling me for years that you can walk in the meadow and along the water. So finally I had someone show me where to go, past the very friendly dogs in the driveway of the last house. Turns out it connects to a series of trails that I usually would drive to. So now we can walk for well over an hour, part on the street and part in a gorgeous area.

I also did some snipping and breaking of lots of branches in my yard this morning. DH trimmed many fallen branches in the fall and left a huge pile in the middle of the yard. We can't really burn them like people with large pieces of property can do, and our town dump charges by the pound (!) to toss them, so we've decided to cut everything up and get a small fire pit and have some summer fun in our yard. One pile is 80% done, and I needed a rest!

Food was good this weekend, except for pasta with heavy rich sauce last night - my splurge for the weekend. I think I need to allow myself one fun meal a week. Next weekend we'll be at NP and eating at our favorite Italian restaurant and also going into the city and eating our way through midtown. So I want to be very on program this week so I can enjoy myself while we're there. DS's finals don't start until the 15th, so it should be a low-stress weekend for him as long as he gets one paper finished this week.

[BytheSea]

Good Morning Beaching Babes!

A good steady rain here this morning - a little thunder mixed in for good luck. Hopefully this rain will melt away a lot of the pollen hanging around. I, fortunately, do not suffer from allergies, but DH and DS do and they have been yucky!

Chris, looks like this weekend is shaping up to be a nice one....good for your trip to NP. A nice break for your son prior to the final week(s) of school. does he have any plans for the summer? On a different note, I see you mentioned about the grittiness of some ricotta cheeses. Have you tried to run the ricotta thru a food processor. I have a small one ( glorified chopper) and about 30 seconds whirling thru that and the ricotta is as smooth as sour creme. I learned that back in my cake baking days to make a faux custard filling. It's great that you have a walking buddy and such great places to walk about. makes the time enjoyable .

I hear you ladies on the Old Navy clothing. I do find that it can be hit. Or a REAL miss! Most of the time for me it's the July 4 t-shirts and tank tops for summer. I did find a fairly decent summer dress at the end of last year, something easy for a warm summer night.

well, to our week 2 of phase 1 -- DH & I lost an additional pound. we'll hang here for another week before adding the phase 2 items into the mix. at least the thoughts of bread, cookies, snacks are no longer consuming my mind!

Time to turn my attention by to work. Hope you ladies are all doing well and I'll catch up with y'all later~ gail

[Chris55]

Finally booked our hotel for the weekend, nothing like waiting until the last minute! The place we stayed at the last time was booked, so spent 3 days reading very scary hotel reviews, looking at every B&B, motel, and campground from Mahwah to Kingston on both sides of the river. Trying to spend a minimal amount without being eaten by bedbugs, grossed out by mold, or dealing with party central. The New Paltz area really needs some upgraded lodging (other than Mohonk!). $120 a night for a Super 8 is not acceptable. We're ending up staying in Fishkill, right off the highway, and will commute to campus and then into the city on Sunday.

Rainy and nasty today, so had coffee with my walk buddy instead of walking. Resisted the pastries at the cafe. Finally felt guilty about sitting on my butt all afternoon and did some Total Gym. Hoping the sun comes out a bit tomorrow since it's the first Wed of the month and the Botanical Gardens are free for county residents.

Yes, Gail, I've whirred my ricotta in my tiny food processor, but usually only when I'm mixing it with something to fancy it up. Most times I just have a glob with some fruit on top. I've been craving sweet things tonight, don't know why. Had two Dove dark chocolates and wanted more, but put the brakes on since I've been eating 4-6 of them the past few nights. Had a handful of dried cranberries instead. Don't know if that's much better, but it satisfied me.

Weight is coming off very slowly. Still not fitting into a lot of my jeans, don't even want to think about my capris which I won't be able to get past my knees. Maybe I'll start wearing skirts with elastic waists! I do not want to invest in a new summer wardrobe!

[lisa0702]

Good Morning Everyone!

Our air condition went out Sunday and they just fixed it last night, litterally last night. They came out 10:00PM. It has been 88 for the last 2 days. I cant wait to get a good night sleep tonight.

feminist54 - Did the Shirataki noodles taste like noodles? I still have not made mine and am dying to try them. Mine too has the Tofu as I could not find the ones without Tofu. The ones without Tofu are zero calories. I saw a recipes that calls for Soy Sause, ginger, cilantro, green onions and cucumbers that looked good.

Chris I hope you have a wonderful time on your trip this weekend.

Well have to go and get ready to run.

Hope everyones week is going well.

[feminist54]

Good gray damp morning--this weekend should be beautiful though Chris, up to the mid 70s on Friday (tho chance of rain Saturday morning)...Yes, I know that the hotels are expensive around here--they charge because they can get the rates because of the colleges, IBM, etc.
Lisa: Air Conditioners! We have our heat still cycling on at night...and oatmeal still is a go to breakfast
Save for a few tortilla chips , I have been relatively 1.5...need to pump up my exercise, but (old lady voice) I have to wait untilthe weather is a bit drier--my ankle aches & on the other foot so does that poor toe because of the dampness....I never thought I would be able to tick off my maladies like we parody our elders doing, but here I am.
Chris, I am sure you have gone on Idealist looking for jobs....also check jobs.gov for federal agency positions...

Well, off to a day of meetings, at least I have to walk back and forth across campus in order to be bored to tears...faculty meetings are exercises in futility: no real power.

ciao

[BytheSea]

Good Morning Ladies,

Another gray day here (and not just my rapidly growing roots ) but perhaps sun this afternoon.

Lisa, AC already ?! I imagine it must be quite humid during the summer months. I can take heat, but that humidity just wrecks me.

Well, I had a "OMG" moment last night, I tried a piece of dark chocolate, which is not usually my favorite, that had sea salt in it - WOW - I think this might have been a mistake on my part, I can't stay away from it!!! The sweet and salty combo was perfect ! Should have never stopped for the sale --

Going to try to make the "mock mashed potato" tonite. DH is already wrinkling up his nose at it - "Potatoes are potatoes and Cauliflower is cauliflower" blah blah blah.

Chris, I remember went we went to DS graduation at Marist. We stayed at some dive hotel on the other side of the river. It was clean place but when I tried to blow out my hair in the am, I blew out the electic breaker for half the hotel! What a mess - Like Feminist mentioned, lot of colleges in that area all with the same time schedule, and we tried booking our rooms in March for the May date and most places were already filled.

Ladies, have a great day, stay out of trouble and I'll catch up with later ~ gail

[Chris55]

I can just imagine you knocking out power when everyone is frantically getting ready for graduations! It's amazing how insane the prices are in that area, even compared to places like Mahwah, where for $99 you can get a brand new Fairfield Inn with pool, real breakfast, and totally non-smoking. Usually if it's just one or two of us, we stay with my sister down in Bergen County, but having her put up 4 of us when we're just there for the beds is kind of rude!! Next semester I will try and plan a long weekend in advance and stay someplace nicer, maybe just 2 of us in one of the B&B's.

Still job hunting. I never checked idealist.org before (actually nothing current listed within an hours drive), but we have a wonderful non-profit association in the state and I check their job board at least twice a day. That's where I found my United Way job and where I've gotten most of my interviews. I did check in with my temp agency - was warned that they need to be nagged. Strong possibility of an open-ended job in our small mom and pop phone/internet company less that 3 miles from my house. Keeping my fingers crossed that my spotty resume passes muster with them. They pay well, never advertise positions anywhere so most are hired through the agency. Wouldn't mind doing something there since I believe they're actually supposed to be nice (DH has met the owner quite a few times and is impressed). I'd be close to home, hopefully get some experience, maybe get my foot in the door for something permanent. Then I'd get my social justice jollies by being a Big Sister or something fun. I could live with that.

It's cold and rainy here, was hoping for a walk at the Botanical Gardens this afternoon, but it does not look promising. I don't mind the wet ground, but it's cloudy and damp and probably buggy! The black flies are just starting to come out and I don't want to be their lunch! Maybe some yoga stretches instead. I noticed how stiff my left leg is when I was trying to do side leg raises on my Total Gym yesterday. Need to work on that joint a bit.

Dinner will be sirloin tips, broccoli, salad or another warm veggie. I'm thinking soup for lunch - something warm and steamy. Just what you DON'T need, Lisa! Gail, I'm going to have to try that dark chocolate with the sea salt. I've seen it a few times and almost went for it, but I try not to buy whole bars because I have no control once I open the package!