Sunshine + 70 degrees + bike = happy girl

I just finished the perfect bike ride. The weather is spectacular, slight breeze, 70 degrees, not a cloud in the sky. It was on my normal trail, which is only ten miles round-trip, with several good hills, but it was just a gorgeous ride today. I stopped in at the gym for a 45-minute upper body strength workout, then I rode home.<br /><br />I can't believe how much the trail has changed in just two weeks since my last ride. Daisies, peonies, sweet peas, Dianthus, lavender, and roses all growing wild and all were all in bloom along the trail. I didn't take many pictures since I was sort of in a hurry, trying to keep my heart rate up. <br /><br />At one point when I was trying to keep up with a couple of skinny guys on bikes, both wearing identical racing gear (like they were a team), the bikes had skinny tires like racing bikes. As I was pedaling my heart out to keep up with them my heart rate was at 161 (my resting pulse is 50, so 161 is high for me). They passed me going up a steep hill but then I caught up to them and stayed behind them for about three miles until I decided to back off. I didn't want them to think I was stalking them or something, and it was wearing me out!<br />Two hours and fifteen minutes, bike ride and gym, I burned 700 calories according to my Polar F6. I can't imagine an easier or more fun way to burn calories. <br /><br />When I got home I grabbed a bowl of cherries out of the fridge. I counted out 35 cherries and enjoyed them, savoring each sweet, icy cold cherry, for 3.5 Points. So good! I can still eat fruit, I just have to count the Points. <br /><br />I feel so much better after my bike ride. I'm still a little upset by the six-pound gain, but I know I can pull it off quickly. It's not here to stay. <br /><br />Vacation next week at my sister's house won't be a foodfest either. My sister is notorious for not eating. She's always eaten like a bird, but since my brother-in-law (her husband) passed away last fall she's lost all interest in food. She even asked me yesterday what she should buy for me to eat, I told her I'd just eat whatever she eat. That's a guaranteed weight loss right there.<br /><br />I've decided I'm here to stay in blogland. I had thoughts this past week to stop reading blogs and stop writing. It seems that lately a lot of people are abandoning their blogs. Sort of sad. I really believe my blog has helped me stay on track for three years. Even if no one reads it and even if it doesn't really help anyone, it helps me. Therefore, I'm here to stay.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Peonies there were growing wild along my bike trail, right among the blackberry bushes. Check out the sky. Remember, this is Seattle. Land of the eternal monsoon season. Summer is finally here and it took it's sweet time getting here!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhefCSEQnQiEnfgMrjwtJtEt3o1shpmEFFO8ZzxYj0pffBrnFgNCsjiYUCyxuxW0C0Xk0DyS47wR9YI0Q5dzeuqNVugdbDQff18BR7MlWx8Tp2FM6r57ggFdflTmk5d66XLHDxbHgQxVAJt/s1600/Peonies+and+green+blackberries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhefCSEQnQiEnfgMrjwtJtEt3o1shpmEFFO8ZzxYj0pffBrnFgNCsjiYUCyxuxW0C0Xk0DyS47wR9YI0Q5dzeuqNVugdbDQff18BR7MlWx8Tp2FM6r57ggFdflTmk5d66XLHDxbHgQxVAJt/s400/Peonies+and+green+blackberries.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some sort of flower, growing wild.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKIzFhQ2u5Lz1qhcxO6RF_a5qJZ03KwZkzF-x8rJIyb9suG1_0lKNzWqNnqBr0L3dhWlw0vpxyqXxHnzO4YncAHKBbxWbhr1SNFAtBj4IVSv8GmOEeLlPJusM-inTEN2bWty6fH_HN-89/s1600/flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKIzFhQ2u5Lz1qhcxO6RF_a5qJZ03KwZkzF-x8rJIyb9suG1_0lKNzWqNnqBr0L3dhWlw0vpxyqXxHnzO4YncAHKBbxWbhr1SNFAtBj4IVSv8GmOEeLlPJusM-inTEN2bWty6fH_HN-89/s400/flower.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A picture my husband took at the Gorge last weekend. It looks better than the ones I took.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1g2h1mEUxWVm9sAVtkbm7ui7jxkcxjRKVEcyMRe6zhzzl3jlUD1i4KVwYfhbb7bKsC3H5R1e19lwqDlCMUbZRNfLxcVxXantSGV6gqcey0FgoppCEp8P9Ky6kNDIwMmmGzv_4gD9NellQ/s1600/Gorge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1g2h1mEUxWVm9sAVtkbm7ui7jxkcxjRKVEcyMRe6zhzzl3jlUD1i4KVwYfhbb7bKsC3H5R1e19lwqDlCMUbZRNfLxcVxXantSGV6gqcey0FgoppCEp8P9Ky6kNDIwMmmGzv_4gD9NellQ/s400/Gorge.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>

Sunshine + 70 degrees + bike = happy girl

I just finished the perfect bike ride. The weather is spectacular, slight breeze, 70 degrees, not a cloud in the sky. It was on my normal tr...

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Danger, Will Robinson!

“Danger, Will Robinson!” is a catch phrase from the 1960s’ American television series Lost in Space spoken by voice actor Dick Tufeld. The Robot, acting as a surrogate guardian, says this to young Will Robinson when the boy is unaware of an impending threat. In everyday use, the phrase warns someone that they are about to make a mistake or that they are overlooking something.<br /><br />I'm not about to make a mistake, I already made it. I stepped on the scales this morning, the first time in three weeks. Talk about burying my head in the sand. I was sort of pretending if I didn't know how much I weighed then it must be okay. It's not okay. I weigh 168.2, up six pounds from three weeks ago. <br /><br />My downfall has been fresh fruit. Yes, you can gain weight from eating too much fruit. I love fruit and had been limiting myself to two to three servings a day. Then summer came, with cherries (Vans and Rainiers), nectarines, raspberry pluots, peaches, blueberries, raspberries, watermelon, and piel de sapo (like a honeydew melon but better) all came into season at the same time. <br /><br />I've been like a kid in a candy store. I love them all and have been eating large amounts of fruit these last few weeks. I completely stopped counting Points. I was using the logic that since it's just fruit and it's only in season for a few months, I should eat as much as I want because it'll be out of season soon.<br /><br />That line of thinking has led me to a six-pound gain. Even though my eating is healthy, fresh fruits and vegetables, chicken and fish, very little processed foods (I'm still eating Frantz whole wheat sandwich thins - I just can't give them up), I still gained weight. Basically, a calorie is a calorie, whether it's sugar cookies or a pound of cherries. Too many calories will lead to a weight gain. This isn't any big revelation, but it just amazes me the crazy logic I can use to allow myself to overindulge. <br /><br />Today I'm back to counting Points and limiting my fruit intake. It brings a tear to my eye, but it's just the way it has to be. I can't eat with abandon, even if it is "just" fruit. <br /><br /><strong>The exercise</strong><br />I'm still going to the gym, doing one to one and a half hour workouts. I'm just not loving it too much these days. I'm doing it more because I have to than because I want to. I've added the treadmill back into my routine and have been doing a little bit of jogging along with 4mph walking. My knees have been holding up well and haven't hurt at all. I'm mainly doing it just to do something different. I'm bored.<br /><br />Strength training is still my favorite part of working out. I sort of hate cardio and only do it because it's required. My cardio routine is a minimum of 35 minutes, yesterday it was 53 minutes of treadmill, elliptical and crosstrainer (I was really bored so did different cardio equipment for 15 to 20 minutes each). My StairMaster is still broken which makes me sad. I love it, but it's been broken for about six weeks. I suspect it's not repairable. <br /><br />I completed the workout with a 45-minute strength training, lower body. Also not my favorite. Working out my quads, glutes, hamstrings hurts the most. Upper body workouts seem easier and more "fun". Again, I do it because I have to.<br /><br />Biking outside has been put on hold for now. The temps here have been running in the high 80's and low 90's. Too hot for a bike ride. <br /><br /><strong>The Lilith Fair</strong><br />I suppose I should mention last weekend's trip to The Gorge at George. It was okay. The day was perfect, 80 degrees, sunshine. The scenery at the Gorge is beautiful. The music was good, especially Sheryl Crow, Sugarland and Sarah McLachlan. <br /><br />Sitting on a 45-degree grassy knoll on a blanket with girls making out in front of us got kind of old after about six hours (we were there eight hours), not fun. Plus our blanket kept sliding down the hill. If I ever go again I'm taking stakes and pounding them into the corner of the blanket. About every hour we'd slide down a foot and have to pull the blanket back up.<br /><br />The place was packed with hundreds of people. They weren't all lesbians, I'd say about 1/3 were straight women, 1/3 were lesbians, and 1/3 were guy/girl couples. It was interesting. :)<br /><br />A beer was $9. I walked around and looked at all the food. It was typical fair food. Elephant ears, a Margarita line that was never less than 30 people in line, hamburgers, gyros, philly steak standwiches. Honestly, none of it appealed to me. We had a cooler full of healthy food and we each had one beer. I didn't feel deprived, nor was there really anything there I wanted to eat. One thing I noticed, almost every person I saw carrying around an elephant ear (deep-fried dough covered with sugwas ar and cinnamon), was very overweight. That alone made them less than desirable.<br /><br />At about 9pm the sun went down and the wind started blowing. Even though I was wrapped in a blanket I thought I was going to freeze to death. It had gone from 80 degrees to proably about 55 degrees with wind. Not fun. We left in the middle of Sarah singing because it was so cold. Walking to our car about a mile away we could hear her beautiful singing. That woman has the most incredible voice. <br /><br />Even though it was kind of fun, it was a long day. When we got to our hotel in the little town of Ephrata at 11pm and it was closed. The owner finally showed up at 11:30pm and gave us our key to the room, which turned out to be one of the nastiest hotels I've ever stayed in. In my youth I stayed in a lot of fleabag hotels during my travels. This one ranked right down there with the lowest of the low. It was old, dirty and I suspect that our room had been used as a meth lab at one time. Not exactly a romantic getaway. <br /><br /><strong>Vacation</strong><br />Sorry this whole post is kind of a downer. On a more positive note I have a two-week vacation starting this Thursday and I'll be heading to Fairbanks (husband staying home). I'm really looking forward to seeing my sister and her family and my brother. My brother has a big adventure planned for me, taking out to the middle of no where on his new track vehicle he just bought. I just look at it as any day away from work is a good day. :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The Gorge, general admission. The grass was nice, but too far from the stage.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7H5YeRe-AcL4Vu1aHJO9sqPoFRxXmfbB4eYRkn201I05Fx9AYAHsddQ7Durbda8x92ydL-YgIg-ooFOChRsIcTss_QF93ucaSExhtjNtJ7_22lxy7UF6kKVr20CBjFrAljS31Cgxvlse/s1600/Gorge+view2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7H5YeRe-AcL4Vu1aHJO9sqPoFRxXmfbB4eYRkn201I05Fx9AYAHsddQ7Durbda8x92ydL-YgIg-ooFOChRsIcTss_QF93ucaSExhtjNtJ7_22lxy7UF6kKVr20CBjFrAljS31Cgxvlse/s400/Gorge+view2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The sky at The Gorge. I was fascinated by the sun because I had seen it for months in Western Washington. Of course, last week made up for it with temps in the 90's.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNrbIq8EGH9aG_5_iHFZMvDqpbTqv2S7Uhkpd8DgU8J1VThMtNdja76eGXzOr3bzD9ztwT11l5zm4WmL09S5uT_Lxj7moPsK7yTLEhG6uI4vBLGrS7PsrjODPjTPxK6orccjGLGkkRoQ_v/s1600/Sun+Gorge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNrbIq8EGH9aG_5_iHFZMvDqpbTqv2S7Uhkpd8DgU8J1VThMtNdja76eGXzOr3bzD9ztwT11l5zm4WmL09S5uT_Lxj7moPsK7yTLEhG6uI4vBLGrS7PsrjODPjTPxK6orccjGLGkkRoQ_v/s400/Sun+Gorge.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me with the wind in my hair</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPShONVNAkXllW-ECOCsM5HOxk2wS0R3AG_uzWYivvMrkfvyNTr6VTzR1Ih2fK0xaAr2ugFBsURApHfgLlwvg0s_Skel1jqsM1j7NCyvMLkVFDKpi5ReYImwzz-PJU2qTxDCun9V7gipEk/s1600/Me+at+Dry+Falls+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPShONVNAkXllW-ECOCsM5HOxk2wS0R3AG_uzWYivvMrkfvyNTr6VTzR1Ih2fK0xaAr2ugFBsURApHfgLlwvg0s_Skel1jqsM1j7NCyvMLkVFDKpi5ReYImwzz-PJU2qTxDCun9V7gipEk/s400/Me+at+Dry+Falls+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dry Falls (somewhere in Eastern Washington)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJs4msLxV8DCBzkA3AYh4ShD1V8hKXYVt98yipEMzKSdQnBeMDM5m8rAgjg-eSUHfnL91_iOgSOFUi84GC-3vny34LnkhcdS4YjLZKKu4TC4_b02Epir5TQrgr6UG11dpC5yxdRlPlUn_6/s1600/Dry+Falls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJs4msLxV8DCBzkA3AYh4ShD1V8hKXYVt98yipEMzKSdQnBeMDM5m8rAgjg-eSUHfnL91_iOgSOFUi84GC-3vny34LnkhcdS4YjLZKKu4TC4_b02Epir5TQrgr6UG11dpC5yxdRlPlUn_6/s400/Dry+Falls.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jack and me at Grand Coulee Dam</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCq-reN4hronRZI7b06jty7hU4J_TqnpugFHBLevoyesYH6IMC0ACLA6hVPvtsOEF9TyRoaNdVxbztSJnjR4AlW3GiuZT_oY96ycRrRP8iITxN50DSwkZu-kuQQP7uI6DReGXdwmgzpphy/s1600/Jack+and+Diana+at+Grand+Coulee+Dam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCq-reN4hronRZI7b06jty7hU4J_TqnpugFHBLevoyesYH6IMC0ACLA6hVPvtsOEF9TyRoaNdVxbztSJnjR4AlW3GiuZT_oY96ycRrRP8iITxN50DSwkZu-kuQQP7uI6DReGXdwmgzpphy/s400/Jack+and+Diana+at+Grand+Coulee+Dam.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>

Danger, Will Robinson!

“Danger, Will Robinson!” is a catch phrase from the 1960s’ American television series Lost in Space spoken by voice actor Dick Tufeld. The R...

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Sunny Saturday

<p>Happy weekend everyone!!</p> <p>If you follow me on twitter you may have noticed an early morning tweet. That’s right, 6am on a Saturday Kyle and I got up and hit the road for a workout!<img alt="image" border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUexIdoJFN4eR9c68kAAgQ1pkpa2oipfAoSp_bYp_eLUzLYzLj7zFVC5Z6o7gcuue3P0Vvkc_5uSLNhvrGTHQzEUL5cwOWR_QnBTUTdMz8FUOKDJ2UFtxYEwDsYs0ya7dQ8r0WMnkMrQh1/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="image" width="404" /> </p> <p>Kyle ran first and I biked with him. We decided to do this because he wants to train a faster pace, but this way we can still <strong>workout together</strong>. Around mile 5 he got a bad pain in his knee and so I ran. I got in<strong> 3.33 miles</strong> in <strong>39 minutes</strong>. I took a few walk breaks because my legs were really tight & heavy. I’m guessing it because of the <strong>45 minute bike ride</strong> I had before my run!</p> <p>After our workout I had a new “try” for breakfast, wild blueberry muffin oatmeal! My friend <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/03/guest-post-2-jenna.html">Jenna</a> had told me about this and I couldn’t wait to try it!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJIhwKdkns8rhbj2GK2j7NvZFxTTmxlCnOCny6E006Dg4B1hvclsf-r_S5TeuoF0JdpYt9IKnpAqHKmk5gmdX75X_vpL0AQdYBO4HqcwSotZ1wrEQI7bejyfRDC4OVXkWpRypBRdjWtKNR/s1600-h/DSC07841%5B6%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07841" border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkem8aEWT8OT5FNQ-knuS81r4tcXsuEBFp29I0SQTfjemSwylB29gKnQfdmmjXWrTbPjbnCdvHhPlhLesBUyVKTIdAoNJLvRyApnp5ZCbMH3VrvYYJafFzmqBOl1gUWgPrvorlzO7hLury/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07841" width="279" /></a></p> <p>It worked out perfect because <strong>blueberries</strong> were <strong><u>on sale</u></strong>, so I added <strong>1/4c</strong> to my oatmeal for a total of a <strong>2 point</strong> breakfast. Oh and I loved the oatmeal, not only did it totally smell like blueberry muffins just came out of the oven, but it also had that taste too!<u><font color="#c94093"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcvkGAWkxhYD-u-w0ILRtx2h03NsJF0GsIH6Ttkwn7EFbdhPALu6AI4DM_oGZz4PtYRoTgXNLQN4Iu9poBYfjpvU4H18RXmbrbC8-WP0xyZZ_YWAJb1tJrXqSJmZxDk9vUakGVDGbIEF1o/s1600-h/DSC07842%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07842" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4xl4Cb63lGh2oS8NMzsEEyujpV3uwG-rtuAe3uTqNwqyQfZyiV-JymW3GenrKjrMRowo86lzrtuIiD_u85XRKerd0JrHvGyqXdIkRxrgqVVgyfEhWfDgnEhg4FjRvymxr48wAytZFzV_/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07842" width="404" /></a></font></u></p> <p>It was sunny and 88 degrees so the rest of the day was spent at the pool! My sister did have a quick dress fitting we had to do on the way. I snacked on an <strong>apple</strong> for <strong>1 point</strong> while the girls were doing their thing!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDH0ApuHqe-jJT553sXGBOdohQijgPuubuvlVhYyEvemzGkGEn5UPGs_jg-_hooYIEAe9ap8JvQQ4tWvTYMb0dTFFnYNdal0X95OhAEM8kZBxe9_IS6Beph3HdDxxfLDekWgwKSAfOQ1n/s1600-h/DSC07843%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07843" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2HUW7JWTWBwONjAQdD3vyekE46Kugvzyp8f0UEAJSnvnop17HblgF1-5BY39w3aPFx_1VeaCcnisn3KY-L8S5oXGHgnG11FNUtBZyJ3Ae3Ok-pliaTMBs-2UKE6NDWY2g31zeK4IfpFQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07843" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Then I had some fun in Claire’s! :p Don’t worry I didn’t buy the spectacles! <img alt="DSC07844" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8WshzUw_4rcWsxOmsI8hObeJ8RscJNyzaqriwbA22sgBAlMDlHKgdrDSdCNKFKavoNxEvpV_pSWNWAmu3fl-lQz_CA8aamOdHNhnwvOpi8RYyzdJhPpnSXSrjKf8FetagrGRu_DX10gh/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07844" width="404" /></p> <p>We ended up spending more time than we thought with the dress fitting and it was already around noon so we stopped for something to tide us over while we were at the pool. <em>Gas stations are not ww</em> friendly, but I did find this <strong>bar</strong> for only<strong> 3 points</strong>. It was pretty good!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSnexwRqV6dbzDVG_TpUGri2AcNgdi9nQ9WfjBzTpCZy1JkAIv2UTfodRcXrw9yHuCk08SeSIP-6I6J_unC6eCnL8vhkksFzjQh7A3bNG4VjaSCBsycMrdHGrFN63kWlb4862MOaL0_NJ/s1600-h/DSC07845%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07845" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7ehxkFXNLBhKJ7iSWo2rZAEpetH4lMuyg8SaBsYi0n5IedRCMQJoOg7n0KhRRAJbYCs4ilUINCqk-V0YSVpduyrr3R9ZlrlfAkheQFXyEoNU-MGiGHm24LNGvbtLyITA_wFICLIm3aU5/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07845" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Wendi and I spent the rest of the afternoon lounging at my cousin’s pool! It was <strong><u>wonderful</u></strong>!</p> <p>After our pool time we came home and got ready to go out with another one of my sister’s and some friends for some <strong>mexican</strong>!!! <img alt="DSC07850" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKTID5B4mVHrs1llqSG_ljXlZsysK3WF65overhmCnfvfvV0AwZOwXXPuizktWGY7GtsAY4ayW3Qu6KW3-l6tiNJOZmUwwi1z6nkVNQ9RVcyWpqjlGx42YNtBF50mSUP0sjn5aQXoHxEi/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07850" width="404" /></p> <p>I went with <strong>chicken fajitas</strong>, but <strong>split</strong> them with my sister! So I ended up making <strong>2</strong> and my estimate after checking nutrition facts online was <strong>7 points</strong> (estimating high). <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jSRks43iAhCsQ73vdqZ_pvtfnZfO7fKWb0PVwEOV0B9KxATcEL4mVeNjQcA3uFrXFtrvWAGrchY68k1bqNsqZVuvpMaMRe7EUjuCO_B7wJCTKdl3Tf6S7q7TpQS5zqHcnTT6lYfoZTZG/s1600-h/DSC07848%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07848" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCbaHXFBZoawA_Yj7WZrHr6RDiXUTnNsgWYUc31nCbnq_hzuJwLzo5zShShOBxCosNo31e7ljpHkfA9aYrEBSqZpS9ilNj2-NVGSLxMlwzR4P35R27XWLkOylpQVbH1xp6Zp7Hshsuc6G/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07848" width="404" /></a></p> <p>But before our main course I did have those awesome <strong>chips & salsa</strong> that are always at Mexican restaurants. I tried to keep count of how many chips I had, but I lost track! I am going to estimate that I had <strong>2 servings</strong> for <strong>6 points</strong>.    </p> <p>Wendi & I called it a night and came home to lounge on the couch w/Kyle. We ended up watching an intense movie, Law Abiding Citizen. I had a pretty similar <strong>ice cream sundae</strong> as <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/07/feelin-better-friday.html">last night</a> while watching the movie except I added a few <strong>animal crackers</strong> for a total of <strong>5 points</strong>. </p> <p><strong>SATURDAY’S STATS</strong></p> <p>POINTS = 24/23 <br />WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 1 used/34 remaining <br />ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED = 6 today/17 week <br />WATER =  136 oz <br />EXERCISE = 39 min run & 45 bike ride</p>

Sunny Saturday

Happy weekend everyone!! If you follow me on twitter you may have noticed an early morning tweet. That’s right, 6am on a Saturday Kyle and...

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Planning de la semaine du 12 au 16 juillet 2010

<BR><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Permanences<br /></span></strong></h2><ul><br /><li>Le <strong>Conseil Général du Loiret</strong> sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans<br />- le lundi 12 juillet de 9h à 12h30,<br />- le mardi 13 juillet de 9h à 12h30 et de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le jeudi 15 juillet de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le vendredi 16 juillet de 13h30 à 17h.<br /><br /><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2007/11/boutique-de-gestion.html">Boutique de Gestion</a></strong> - vendredi 16 juillet de 09h à 12h30 (sur rendez-vous)</ul><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Ateliers</span></strong><br /></h2><br /><ul><li><strong>CV</strong> - mardi 13 juillet de 9h à 12h30<br /><br /><li><strong>Lettre de Motivation</strong> - mardi 13 juillet de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong>Pôle-emploi.fr</strong> - vendredi 16 juillet de 10h à 11h30<br /><br /><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2009/07/atelier-situtilises-tu-trouves.html">Sit'Utilises tu trouves</a></strong> - vendredi 16 juillet de 14h à 16h</ul>

Planning de la semaine du 12 au 16 juillet 2010

Permanences Le Conseil Général du Loiret sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans - le lundi 12 ju...

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Feelin’ Better Friday

<p>Since I didn’t get a workout in on <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/07/pain-in-mymouth.html">Thursday</a> I knew I HAD to get up Friday morning and burn some calories! I skipped the gym though because it was a beautiful morning and <strong>ran outside</strong>. I got in <strong>2.5 miles</strong> in about <strong>30 minutes</strong>. It was pretty rough though, I could feel every step pounding in my head/mouth. But I <strong>pushed through</strong>, <strong>finished</strong>, and was <strong>proud</strong>!</p> <p>Being home on <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/07/pain-in-mymouth.html">Thursday</a> did <strong><u>NOT</u></strong> help my desk! Check out what greeted me when I got to the office! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesHFm4q-97FC-Ps_CZndOPF_IzZfwkUnfpBXThEESS-kZbUMjbi13HfDdQb6rMJnMEOb1KHdMBNAtwDXHdTtEGEqbrtmXzBa4-UrhBeP62U3GEkIaayEWmGoyFpu6QjIpQ7HbJtkjLzR2/s1600-h/DSC07826%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07826" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikL6XxZ8EthxRiR6Hr1mn8pc33TWOrY9MKzb5W7OXzyvMeKItBm_PkCtXdAHfXt8lLhrxxAoOHD92EDnAhEMF3trb-NuXTCAepdNXvQle4Aaa4dT7yjwdoL4o8lBGIBU1Ys1qm_V_lMw9G/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07826" width="404" /></a></p> <p>But I got right to work getting it clean off! So much so, I completely forgot to make my breakfast and my stomach reminded me about 10:30am! I had <strong>1 c cantaloupe</strong> and <strong>1/2 c cottage cheese</strong> for <strong>3 points</strong>.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_zQHd-fv5JcNJScBfVKxo2eTUbuob7F09bHmI2-kKcRIjYvI42-8jFoxunl730aXZ5Zzt0e-lJL8DRO3dlxKGL7j6TxQK5Y0c1d9Yv6RmZcstd1u57O3yNbTrl1Zb4rF-tNDQpXQWUet/s1600-h/DSC07827%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07827" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7sg4etULDfN2Yql8mid3o4QSG8VSXxD9QG81C_aKsqPppcPHBtTzGVt5-fX7-Zw9W0FIY1Et3DYuiZ4exL47mKJL0U3ioj2KKDKV33p4BacMif_V21nc4VD34q23sw_jrKQpI1Ixcc51/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07827" width="404" /></a></p> <p>My day flew by, mostly because I left at 1:30 for a dentist appointment to fix the big hole in my tooth that was causing me horrible pain! I was never more excited to go to the dentist before! </p> <p>Before I left though I heated up some <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/07/pain-in-mymouth.html">leftovers from Thursday</a> for lunch,<strong> creamy chicken bake</strong> for <strong>6 points</strong>. Just as good the 2nd time around!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeuN9De6xurHhibYys5VglzoQRR7XXX_sRjZeHRlTamFcnMqDnNbfFpSzppqNL_wVvKv22CTfxkpSrwUxWHeHWug0fBEy-iX9hV7P9Wfk_1fp5Rz5KI74epHpe28OYB_zt17I2Cl-fpG9r/s1600-h/DSC07828%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07828" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMy2UezSt8Fv6_wShCmnPsntch4zednPPfhFM_3nwombivo4vrM05zZnWK_c2PEQWdFCqbWc2wztZ28fZGaR8eZyAsjCMIXtFS6POzpNkULX7QZ-VENNTNz-37oSBC0pgE7cwcXv0bzYe/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07828" width="404" /></a></p> <p>The appointment went fairly well. My dentist was concerned about my nerves though. Even though my mouth was numb, when she drilled in a certain spot I got this jolt of pain. So I have to wait it out, but the filling (I’m sure being numb helped too!) definitely helped relieve my pain!</p> <p>After the dentist I met up with Kyle to get some groceries. There were some killer deals on fresh fruit that we couldn’t pass up!</p> <p>When we got home I whipped up a quick <strong>supper</strong> for my sister, Wendi, Kyle, and myself. My serving was <strong>1 c cooked whole wheat</strong> <strong>pasta</strong> and <strong>1/2 c meat sauce</strong> for <strong>7 points</strong>.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5QirzrS5yAKce0iHE0yjxe_QGBhpzDDlGm54bMomrUprIxBBMqoYhE9stKOikl2sWQhdmyKNQkE937d4oPOvKugi2OFPo9CKZd5x_6LB3ds67OUUaS-tf-mOWq6OU7cw1iksk5yjCKXY/s1600-h/DSC07829%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07829" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGiOpEcxZ4ALBt_o1Wa29rab7eGAguRwOk-6B9kWgYT4AnJH774iDxwReeAnrY307u_2dCjjwZ7fJcqttGsbcaYtUtFr5tFgXcdF6fz2O-TAZWMsU1-7JywovxI-K2PjFX_G8iwCKEQ3WW/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07829" width="404" /></a></p> <p>After supper we hit up the <strong>bowling alley</strong>! I had a coupon for a <strong>free game</strong> for up to 4 people, so we only had to pay $2/each for our shoe rental!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4iLV1N2Yik9XRBBPztMNV2pbVN3Z6BqL8Krb8SbkABhcHPqKgfvVevT8dmVFgumQol5pMCjn4giy308XT3_E-ucPR5YzF5nK3jQ1QNkc229GCgwl-oojxG0pZzmWjhau5mRbSqpizW7t/s1600-h/DSC07831%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07831" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7BH0oKjY-VfDiDMDtAIWhOmVOUoJwGtTUxoS75amQbHGok2KlvAh_YSC2Qc8M19bXocgw0XNmEDVbj9JihyHXQuIEmS-HxeydFbMbXNZd34NK8BAPsVaesJ3IzQZpGyZxhorut0OR0TW/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07831" width="304" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvl7BjE0TbLb-aOqX_UapubtL7CT4z2K1Ll9rOXQ6OpgyrM4Zr6H6MpkKNjUWa-xuPQREbX1EGXg2_keNmxELb1AQ2IV7PC9KViC4bYBsy-7gWfABzgMDCgMmN6iQ_zDivNbQmd4-qJHjd/s1600-h/DSC07837%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07837" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKW-dsBt5NoY7N8em5XKB8gSAoQpW0rXxSNE2qpzrns795UlKaXBR-JUd4qkbV5cFLHmWFd0jBknNo7KeuJorIu5a8tFHAD_VlkkNnqp_DNEic5Nob91ph1rSbwdO6Docg9XLPIFZRcNi-/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07837" width="404" /></a></p> <p align="center"><strong>We aren’t that good, but we had fun!</strong>  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJqviTHEYDuXGmSSE-rab98iqhc_ft4idUNEnkKWOZoLvdseOsuSnShCKYiIzwH5_XagHg2s06-I0NNjMP0WGXwCIqvsphBhQwSv8LqExdvDYIqaVSYLEl0P-CSxrmiXpa75Mild6Y1aj/s1600-h/DSC07836%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07836" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUPRs1DdS6UOkR0pPegJZq-qYeV1nrFCrxO6OwjC-tc_mInJbtyMXfQGxZtiLwUJ9BgpcWRL5X1up5mo_JGoSarBsQDmCC5I4hGXPcs_Ybu9SUiHoNSDQqiF3L0uzChrWczjcCXTv-5PO/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07836" width="304" /></a></p> <p>Last weekend, while bowling with Kyle’s family, Kyle learned how to put a spin on the ball when you bowl and he wanted to practice!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-MdpcPtQGpyEPAfI5CmKeMHwIbPGD5k6TV-fYBwnibIuTi8-qgfPLN8-tmeoyjZG1mOqHE5vtlKo21gMcg1kOvc4LnOyfmTno62NBIrNGDbIPc-H0sbUo1dv4u1P09_J1lGbux6I-u0M/s1600-h/DSC07838%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07838" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUHK3i25CrN7QNSgbWj3GEwhO7_DhjafiqhoWzvwYHZCRC3eqbSPvj4oxf1YJbdvwuq-TrbyfBAyvaXepl5Y_MApj8srqP_umoi6R6WRL3m1h-F889n5gJGQtYLgfOpNKXWFglFmZBjD1/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07838" width="404" /></a></p> <p>After bowling we rented a movie and got some <strong>ice cream</strong>! But I made a good choice. We stopped at the grocery store and I picked up some<strong> ff frozen yogurt</strong>! I had <strong>1 c</strong> topped with a few cut <strong>strawberries</strong>, and some <strong>lite chocolate syrup</strong> for <strong>3 points</strong>! <strong><em><u>Delicious!</u></em></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9mH6RcIOtD6bipDPNnZZsHBjxg_7-mXhoiJyw2tun6_phMKw_0SXq3PMpRF5ri9B0DPpw4_t1Hb-OyNljEpVzdP3forlLucyhoj6creO0oz5oyI8gz6L5gsIg7qI1PREVkO3rBcoIIW0/s1600-h/DSC07840%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07840" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqI-bqMHcValq_7gyD8Fdagx3p9ATXQpzI2m1HLjnIYO9laURQfHrKg4bKK2mZEnEXMuMweAZXQvDHfgtJABHNB7vN6V8dlcN-VIPzWxoAZ5G4Jg40mkVa47jpb6dGc5Y2HA7XLAoUwlNR/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07840" width="404" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><strong>FRIDAY’S STATS</strong></p> <p>POINTS = 19/23 <br />WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 0 used/35 remaining <br />ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED = 4 today/11 week <br />WATER =  104 oz <br />EXERCISE = 30 min run</p>

Feelin’ Better Friday

Since I didn’t get a workout in on Thursday I knew I HAD to get up Friday morning and burn some calories! I skipped the gym though because ...

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SNC de retour en septembre 2010

<BR><br />La dernière permanence de Solidarités Nouvelles face au Chômage (SNC) à la Maison de l'Emploi a eu lieu le 30 juin 2010.<br /><br />Les permanences de Solidarités Nouvelles face au Chômage reprendront un rythme régulier à la Maison de l'Emploi à partir du mois de septembre.<br /><BR>

SNC de retour en septembre 2010

La dernière permanence de Solidarités Nouvelles face au Chômage (SNC) à la Maison de l'Emploi a eu lieu le 30 juin 2010. Les permanences...

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Pain in my….mouth!

<p>My day started at about 2am this morning when I woke up with <strong><em>splitting pain</em></strong> in my mouth. A day or so ago when I was flossing a <strong><em>chunk</em></strong> of my tooth or a filling came out. So I ended up with a huge hole in my tooth. It didn’t bother me too much unless I had something really hot or really cold…<strong><u>until this morning</u></strong>!</p> <p>I couldn’t get back to sleep & Tylenol didn’t help. The pain made my head just throb…I’ve never had a migraine before, but I’m sure that is what it felt like. Because of all that I didn’t go to work or the gym this morning. I stayed in bed and rested. </p> <p>For breakfast I made<strong> ff pancakes</strong> with <strong>1/8c lite syrup</strong>.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPNzgNCsbvkmjbWSRMOL4WbiUUuUZI4Oc9nqbmO1SDv8-J09mvV-a2bBq_j5bKoX4ZVXiqCIxhW869XKZVyjscQRN3oguMwl8IEJgFOjxLZgVs5G6O0-xKU23SJ-Eq67dU0yJiGCRy6zw/s1600-h/DSC078203.jpg"><img alt="DSC07820" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdU-DekzMTI57sAnW6VyQ13AS0v55kyhy25l8_9NMRVCHW5aiRIK_oq9bdEISnkCQPv83jOY9cEpQliQ9sPCe2_cQ6Uy7ZZC9s4QX8Sl_05lQ4Shlq141dIxyNa7Y1DjD0BJiOMwY36_R/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC07820" width="404" /></a></p> <p>On the side I had <strong>1 c fresh pineapple</strong> for a total of<strong> 5 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mTV8-uMjLo-jdYIGEcRfNAph4fbmXCAO-vPi0OkhGn19fCuye4vubJYZfvY0zEetQDOqT14lrGdunf2luSs466eS3rp3m_RVkpUupAJ37cf-V-QcZAdO_aj3DmkGCdpEoxas27W_Q_lv/s1600-h/DSC078193.jpg"><img alt="DSC07819" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7JfP9CXDY0iH_lNUTQGP-UX0ELIyvBZuc4SxVOU3-ypDaZpd3CCORlDO6uRJMZSHpJ4-ohDSxWTpO3TxaD9_QPs7YWJKb7vGqUu7Ra-WG3Pp6BnboHwxcWOdJlQbCFcaI6c2YXTPp0Oz/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC07819" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I <strong>slept</strong> from about <strong>10am-2pm</strong> and woke up <u>hungry</u>! I had a simple, but yummy lunch. I roasted <strong>1 c potatoes</strong> and had<strong> 1 T</strong> of <strong>ketchup</strong> for dipping. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ZGvXZI0n0cN9O-PPoZ9HwFjsifEu_QGFQM6vgtvHx-pp7ZQXO7MkxEG3Pl1SnCfdsdCTAXtViIqo_UTcTwIJ0mPY4YVIzx4YHKgmS0HOFGuIBoQVqs4Neb8TDfbo_GpbAE_fUz3PZ71j/s1600-h/DSC078213.jpg"><img alt="DSC07821" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNCyAHt5kcZW7i_CW6IeF5bLFn7QZ5zLK5I77fEbitBrlR42IlkMjnVtATrVidChmUPn3RAz1Ji1fOzO1O28fwydgrwV1Kgir4Gv5c70265DYujlQyD72XtcQqQa52mfmxZhFZU1RIK8_3/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC07821" width="404" /></a></p> <p>On the side I had <strong>1 c cantaloupe</strong> and <strong>1/2 c cottage cheese</strong> for a total of <strong>6 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWG3IQvsW09FYH9YvThvEFsaiHmtzqWz8AYed7zJqhbR53KvvcbTooyLnAdXQ5Qfq1hG7tVKU1mIb3F5Zeg-OI0-fQkKC2eFYPcXtOgya3MtOrW0vFI_G878cKcxmx0q587lKuc4ppyFWQ/s1600-h/DSC078223.jpg"><img alt="DSC07822" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPiTv9EzAnYTSxoTYGe74HeP-OtSwC0-lBLvyLZMLpjGsadcE0kpx87NlLzGUEJWQEeDAV3Sr9TQpvf9690jBk79SbEPWIJokJqFpnMVrobLIUQnDRUFR47zNf8yrNThgL5X2dOQIeMOD/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC07822" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I just lounged on the couch all afternoon. The pain seemed to be a little less after resting, but I still didn’t feel better. I think sitting around all day made me just want to get up & do something. It worked perfect because it was supper time!</p> <p>I made a favorite in our house…<strong><u>creamy baked chicken</u></strong>!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzo6RNg4tTAZyqFDM5miYhtHvQra68qj4u2AsJ-T5Xdb2PZUpSraq6b4ScpC4zMyg18HZE3z0eFBbFNvu9uG3Sv4lzExiqQ2S08Iyse_Tpq0xQGBwzVlWe_mCqd25rRi4HdhG3HFKZe4zR/s1600-h/DSC07823%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07823" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBg43PO0YEuxwwmAmtXiqU1eemCAdJXVWuWBv2jIUugj_6qFKIl8MUEulk-9VUC-SKsuZj5nLdimZSij0fLnT1rnABdtPXd-IRcziKyfvDYhrhwEDtLChKt4HZlYNkLDO4ymvgrzpFWo3/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07823" width="404" /></a></p> <p><strong>Creamy Baked Chicken (4 </strong><b>pts/breast)</b></p> <ul> <li>4 6-oz chicken breasts </li> <li>1 can 98% fat free cream of chicken </li> <li>1/4 cup water </li> <li>2 cups Stove Top stuffing mix </li> <li>1 c. fat free chicken broth </li> <li>4 oz. low fat (or fat free) swiss cheese </li> </ul> <p>Cut chicken breasts in half so you have 8. Place in 9x13 pan and preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix soup and water. Put Swiss cheese on chicken breasts. Pour soup over chicken. Sprinkle crushed stuffing mix over chicken. Drizzle chicken broth over. Bake for about 45 minutes or until done. Check it at 40 minutes </p> <p>My serving of <strong>creamy baked chicken</strong> was <strong>6 points</strong> and I also had a serving of <strong>green beans</strong> on the side for<strong> 0 points</strong>!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bEJjRkyvSokAoZw_piZUadgTyuWs2hTt32mDz3V1491PPzGgMr7QqXc2SY7JZXBIBhSZ2Gqw3GxxenNYutwFbTGqSpCXne59nbZnv68x0_lbDz3igyZ48ZdhfD1xopszfyCFR4kq_Kzy/s1600-h/DSC07825%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07825" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8tZjCJjQv5wcq7lw58yNwFeN_oNppeOey6HImMYsUoNDN08E_O4P4NM9bOzRF1GV0VPZGPL3jDIOpSXJBeUBAlnaPmgFxOTuLapeIiTHTt3sEpfXmxIuCmCNgvxHGcOe6ufdz4JrHtYuH/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07825" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Well friends I’m going to call it a day. I’m hoping for a better night’s rest tonight and less pain! The good news is that I have an appointment at the dentist tomorrow afternoon to fix this!</p> <p><strong>THURSDAY’S STATS</strong></p> <p>POINTS = 17/23 <br />WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 0 used/35 remaining <br />ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED = 0 today/7 week <br />WATER =  128 oz <br />EXERCISE = none</p>

Pain in my….mouth!

My day started at about 2am this morning when I woke up with splitting pain in my mouth. A day or so ago when I was flossing a chunk of my...

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Coming Out on Top of Salary Negotiations

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/77/ar5f7lz6gk4080lsn277.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/77/ar5f7lz6gk4080lsn277.gif" /></a></div>While some employment opportunities clearly state in black and white what wage an applicant can expect if hired, other positions are grayer in terms of salary. Talking about money with a potential employer might feel a bit awkward, but coming to terms that leave both sides content is crucial. Below, experts offer suggestions on how to prepare for salary negotiations.<br /><br />Timing<br /><br />Not wanting to look like they are "only in it for the money," job seekers are often hesitant to be the one to break the ice on the issue of salary. Is it OK for a candidate to bring up the topic?<br /><br />"I get asked this question by friends all the time, and the honest answer is that it depends entirely on the position," says Paul Peterson, national talent resource manager with Grant Thornton in Toronto. "If you are a campus hire, you do not ask up front (first interview) as it can give the impression that you are solely money-focused. For experienced candidates, it's perfectly appropriate to bring up the topic, especially if you want to ensure that you are at least close in range."<br /><br />Anastasia Valentine, a product strategist and career coach from Ottawa, agrees that it is fine to bring up salary during the initial meeting -- but not as the first point in the conversation. If the employer doesn't eventually broach the subject, a tasteful approach is to ask for a salary range.<br /><br />The dreaded question<br /><br />Perhaps no question scares candidates as much as "What salary are you expecting from this position?" The last thing the applicant wants to do is sell himself short, but he also might fear pricing himself out of the running.<br /><br />Jen Rallis, author of "Ugly Résumés Get Jobs," suggests turning the tables by asking "What salary range are you willing to pay for this position?" Once the employer provides a range, the candidate can simply respond "that's suitable" if the numbers are in line with his needs.<br /><br />Likewise, job seekers being pressed for figures can offer the employer a suitable range. To avoid making an uneducated guess, candidates should find out before the interview what similar positions in the field are paying. "Being prepared and understanding market rates for the worth of experience and skills not only demonstrates confidence and preparation, it also keeps the discussion on a factual vs. emotional level," Valentine states. "This speaks volumes to an employer beyond the request for a specific dollar amount."<br /><br />Peterson advises choosing numbers carefully. "Candidates need to remember the cardinal rule when giving ranges: If you give a range, for example 60-75k, the employer generally remembers the 60 while the candidate remains focused on the 75. Be prepared to give a small range."<br /><br />Proving worth<br /><br />Candidates who land offers at the higher end of a salary range are ones who can demonstrate to an employer that they are worth the price. Some ways to do that include:<br /><br />Quantifying past experience. ("My client increased sales by 8 percent after implementing my marketing idea.") <br /><br />Researching the company beforehand so that you can cater information to its needs. ("I see the company is interested in becoming 'greener.' Here are some ways I might be of help.") <br /><br />Pointing out any extras that set you apart (advanced training, special certifications, knowledge of a second language, etc.). <br /><br />Reaching an agreement<br /><br />Ideally, both sides should have similar expectations regarding salary by the time an offer is issued. Yet sometimes there are surprises.<br /><br />Lisa Martin of Vancouver, a top talent consultant and coach for Lisa Martin International, suggests this diplomatic approach to dealing with an unfavorable offer: "Call back the next day (do not use e-mail or any other electronic format where your intent can be misunderstood) and tell the interviewer all the reasons you'd like to work with the company but that after due consideration there seems to be a misalignment with their needs and the value you bring to the organization. Ask if there is a way to bring the two into better alignment. If there seems to be interest, make a counter offer."<br /><br />Rallis agrees that most employers will leave room for negotiation -- if not on salary then on other benefits. "Ask if a car allowance, cell phone allowance or extra vacation days are available to compensate for a lower salary." <br /><br />Finally, try to view negotiations as seeking a win-win situation for all involved. An employer with enough interest to go through all the stages leading up to an offer has already invested a fair amount of time and energy. The company may be just as eager as you to make things work!<br /><br />By Beth Braccio Hering, CareerBuilder Writer

Coming Out on Top of Salary Negotiations

While some employment opportunities clearly state in black and white what wage an applicant can expect if hired, other positions are grayer ...

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6 Questions You Should Never Ask at the Interview - Candidates who ask these questions remain candidates

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/yj/ar5f5cc6hxtrhjwjp9yj.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/yj/ar5f5cc6hxtrhjwjp9yj.gif" /></a></div>What were they thinking? Whenever I talk to an HR professional or recruiter, I always ask them to tell me the worst question they were ever asked on a job interview. How could any applicant actually believe questions like these are in their interests?<br /><br />Unfortunately, job seekers continue to ask dumb questions every day. These questions demonstrate very poor judgment and effectively ensure their rejection.<br /><br />It's hard to generalize about such stunningly bad interview questions, but they all are forms of "Me" questions. These are questions that appear to put your needs before those of the employer. The best interview questions focus on what the applicant can do for the company, not what the company can do for applicant.<br /><br />Be certain that the question you ask doesn't raise barriers or objections. For example, don't ask, "Is relocation a necessary part of the job?"<br /><br />The very question raises doubts about your willingness to relocate. Even if the person selected for the position is not tracked for relocation, the negativity of the question makes the hiring manager wonder whether you are resistant in other areas as well.<br /><br />If the issue of relocation is important to you, by all means ask, but go with a phrasing that reinforces your flexibility, not challenges it. A good response: "I'm aware that relocation is often required in a career and I am prepared to relocate for the good of the company as necessary. Could you tell me how often I might be asked to relocate in a five- or ten-year period?"<br /><br />Here are five more bad questions you might be tempted to ask and what hiring managers will hear:<br /><br />What you ask: Is job-sharing a possibility?<br />What they hear: Possibly, but does this mean you can't give us a commitment for full-time work?<br /><br />What you ask: Can you tell me whether you have considered the incredible benefits of telecommuting for this position?<br />What they hear: Why do you want to get out of the office before you have even seen it?<br /><br />What you ask: I understand that employee paychecks are electronically deposited. Can I get my paycheck in the old-fashioned way?<br />What they hear: You are already asking for exceptions. What's next? And are you afraid of technology?<br /><br />What you ask: I won't have to work for someone with less education than I have, will I?<br />What they hear: You clearly have a chip on your shoulder. Why should we take a chance that you don't have other interpersonal issues?<br /><br />What you ask: The job description mentions weekend work. Are you serious?<br />What they hear: We're serious about the job description. We're suddenly less serious about you.<br /><br />By John Kador author of 301 Best Questions to Ask on Your Interview (McGraw-Hill, 2010) and other business books. He can be reached at jkador@jkador.com

6 Questions You Should Never Ask at the Interview - Candidates who ask these questions remain candidates

What were they thinking? Whenever I talk to an HR professional or recruiter, I always ask them to tell me the worst question they were ever ...

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Are You Shooting Too Low in Your Job Search

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/7z/ar5f3y67425pc6lm9n7z.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/7z/ar5f3y67425pc6lm9n7z.gif" /></a></div>Does your application secretly have the words "overqualified," "desperate" and "likely to be bored stiff within a month" written all over it? If you are aiming too low in your job search, chances are employers will read between the lines and notice -- and move on to someone else.<br /><br />According to Duncan Mathison, co-author of "Unlock the Hidden Job Market: Six Steps to a Successful Search When Times Are Tough," there are two primary reasons why people aim low:<br /><br />1. They want to increase the number of opportunities. (There are more lower-level positions available than higher-level ones.)<br /><br />2. They think it will raise their odds of being hired. (They believe they will appear more qualified compared to other applicants.)<br /><br />Lisa Quast, author of "Your Career, Your Way!" and founder of Career Woman Inc. (a Seattle-based career development consulting company), adds that workers who are laid off or fired may get in the mindset that they just need to find a new job as quickly as possible due to their economic situation. Beyond money matters, she notes that sometimes people "lack internal confidence about their skills and abilities" and "don't have a clearly defined strategic career plan," both of which can lead them to apply for lesser positions.<br /><br />The dangers<br /><br />At first glance, it might seem that being overqualified would be a good thing. Wouldn't an employer like to get somebody who is even "better" than the job description?<br /><br />Don't bank on it.<br /><br />Overqualified candidates raise concerns in a hiring manager's mind. Will the person insist on doing things his own way? Can he accept instruction from somebody who is his superior at the firm but his equal (or less) on paper? Will the worker jump ship as soon as he finds a better job? Will he constantly be jockeying for more money and a higher position instead of focusing on the job for which he was hired? Will he get frustrated with this lower position and quit?<br /><br />It's not just employers, though, who face risks; it's job seekers, too.<br /><br />"The biggest danger is that you will not be hired if you shoot too low and then think to yourself, 'Good grief. I can't even land that crummy position. I must be a real loser!'" Mathison says.<br /><br />According to Quast, other key dangers for the applicant include:<br /><br /><br /><br />Losing money. (Accepting a job that pays $10,000 less per year than you're actually worth totals $200,000 in lost wages over 20 years.) <br /><br />Stifling progress. (You'll be less likely to be doing work that will allow you to grow and develop in your field.) <br /><br />Boredom. (Frustration from job dissatisfaction can escalate stress and negatively impact health and overall well-being.) <br /><br /><br /><br />Upgrading your job search<br /><br />Instead of downgrading a job search in order to try to increase the likelihood of landing a position, Mathison suggests coming up with a more fruitful plan of attack.<br /><br />"When the economy is tight, a lower percentage of open positions are actually advertised as employers rely on less expensive recruiting through referrals and informal word-of-mouth advertising," Mathison states. "This 'hidden' job market actually becomes a bigger share of open positions. This means that networking plays a bigger role in uncovering unadvertised leads."<br /><br />To maximize potential opportunities, Mathison recommends job seekers spend more time researching employers and asking people in their network and at professional organizations for leads. "Directly approach people who could be your future manager and tell them of your availability. These are the people who care most about what you can do and how you can make them and their teams successful."<br /><br />Quast suggests spending some time on self-examination. <br /><br />"Clearly define your career aspirations. If you don't know where you want to go, how will you determine how to get there? Know your strengths and weaknesses when you search for a new position so you can avoid targeting jobs that are beneath your skills. Identify those things you do better than other people. These are the things you do that will set you apart from others and that make you special."<br /><br />Above all, hang in there and exude confidence. After all, if you don't believe you're worthy of the job you really want, how will anybody else?<br /><br />By Beth Braccio Hering, CareerBuilder Writer

Are You Shooting Too Low in Your Job Search

Does your application secretly have the words "overqualified," "desperate" and "likely to be bored stiff within a m...

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20 Jobs That Pay Big Without a Degree

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/5r/ar5f54t6pzxg497mh55r.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/5r/ar5f54t6pzxg497mh55r.gif" /></a></div>That the job market has been tough for the past two years is no secret. Job seekers suddenly struggled to find work and find industries that offered some security. Many of these people became job seekers after their companies began laying off workers, not because they wanted to change jobs.<br /><br />As a result, education became the best option for job seekers who wanted to improve their résumés and gain a competitive edge in their hunts. Although earning a degree is an excellent move for several reasons, it's not the best choice for everyone. For one thing, education is expensive. If your problem is that you need to get a job in order to pay bills, school might not be your answer. Earning a degree is also time consuming and takes one or more years, depending on whether you want an associate, bachelor's or higher. Therefore, waiting to see the benefits of years of hard work isn't appealing to everyone.<br /><br />That's why we've put together a list of jobs that don't require college degrees and pay well. In some cases on-site training or a certain level of experience might be necessary, but the minimum requirements for these positions don't involve a college degree. <br /><br />If you're in the market for a job that doesn't require a degree but does come with a nice salary, here are 20 jobs to consider and their average annual salary:<br /><br />1. Aides supervisor$62,094*<br />Aides supervisors typically supervise home-health aides, monitoring quality of care and setting work schedules.<br /><br />2. Assembly supervisor $61,208<br />Assembly supervisors oversee workers who put together products by using power tools or other dangerous equipment.<br /><br />3. Assistant site manager$87,614<br />At a construction site, assistant site managers report to head site managers and plan, direct and coordinate the necessary tasks to complete that day's activities.<br /><br />4. Automobile service station manager$82,398<br />The manager draws up guidelines for gas stations and automotive repair shops and decides on hours of operation, assigns job duties and sets prices for services and products.<br /><br />5. Cable supervisor$72,701<br />Cable supervisors monitor workers who install, maintain and repair cables, and also perform related services.<br /><br />6. Carpenter supervisor$71,404<br />Carpenter supervisors oversee carpentry work on a specified project to ensure that workers are on schedule and executing plans accordingly. The supervisor also performs some of the carpentry duties if time permits.<br /><br />7. Chemical supervisor$68,071<br />Chemical supervisors oversee workers who make chemical products, which involves handling dangerous substances and following strict guidelines.<br /><br />8. Construction equipment operator$51,386<br />These operators are in charge of the large tools and equipment used during construction projects and they also inspect the equipment for safety and performance issues.<br /><br />9. Credit and collection supervisor$61,962<br />Credit and collection supervisors manage employees who calculate credit risks and collections, and they sometimes review client credit history to grant or deny extensions of credit.<br /><br />10. Data control supervisor$61,691<br />Data control supervisors manage data entry workers and are responsible for the completion and accuracy of that work. On occasion they help with assignments.<br /><br />11. Electrical repairer $55,605<br />Electrical repairers disassemble and fix problematic electrical equipment and their components, which can range from small mechanisms to large technological systems, depending on the specifics of the job.<br /><br />12. Flight service manager$68,572<br />Airlines hire flight service managers to ensure that flight attendants adhere to personal appearance and preflight requirements. They also compile flight reports.<br /><br />13. Gas plant operator$64,608<br />Pipelines that produce and transport gas need to stay at certain pressures to function safely, and that's what these workers do.<br /><br />14. Home care aide supervisor$67,032<br />Home care aides assist homebound patients with daily activities and some rehabilitation exercises, and the supervisor ensures that all patients are being taken care of properly by their aides.<br /><br />15. Housekeeping manager of a medical facility$61,304<br />In a medical facility, the housekeeping manager sets the schedules and tasks for his or her team. Housekeeping duties vary depending on the type of medical facility, but managers must work with other hospital staff to ensure they are following health and safety guidelines.<br /><br />16. Illustrator $54,565<br />Illustrators design fonts and images for a variety of media, from Web sites to print campaigns and video. They often work for advertisement agencies or freelance.<br /><br />17. Lead carpenter$69,431<br />Lead carpenters ensure that construction projects are completed on time and correctly, and they perform some of the labor themselves.<br /><br />18. Locomotive engineer$70,116<br />Locomotive engineers drive electric, diesel-electric or gas-turbine electric trains that transport passengers or freight.<br /><br />19. Payroll supervisor$64,223<br />These supervisors oversee payroll employees to ensure that all pay calculations follow company policy, government regulations and tax codes.<br /><br />20. Route sales manager$66,362<br />Product and service delivery teams have to achieve goals pertaining to customer satisfaction, efficiency and personal performance. The route sales manager monitors their work and keeps them on track to achieve their objectives.<br /><br />*Salary figures based on data from CBsalary.com.<br /><br />By Anthony Balderrama writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter attwitter.com/abalderrama.

20 Jobs That Pay Big Without a Degree

That the job market has been tough for the past two years is no secret. Job seekers suddenly struggled to find work and find industries that...

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Busy Day

<p>Happy Hump day!! Feels more like Tuesday since I didn't work on Monday, but hey it's Wednesday, I'll take it!! </p> <p>I started my day out at the <strong>gym</strong> again!!! It was a little harder this morning to get going, but I did!! I got in <strong>32 minutes</strong> on the <strong>cross ramp</strong> and then finished with <strong>abs</strong>. Nice morning sweat session. </p> <p>Breakfast this morning was a repeat of yesterday, but still "oh so good"! I had <strong>oatmeal</strong> with a<strong> sliced banana</strong> and <strong>1 T</strong> of <strong>peanut butter</strong> for <strong>5 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvSFfulni86IQV8wHm4ad70wuNUmFfpkn3-BB5AbllW7anifWH5u3FLvDDr16e0HUMGiZ8MufekXRau1-SrX9J1E2Ah1IpRwUJo799ljHsjVzHJTkMdQ5RhojaNwmvvjq1qWLnxb0P9ZV/s1600-h/DSC07813%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07813" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4mfUiPU15TtuFzqJgXdxkjojBBHLmhJqGfDvdDXQTB0oXrOPP9gMB08YVJJ-NLqLyitCrCWVgcUJuazayuzDgkwzqTYeyzKHZjM0RJw5kwXFlOynKY1RW1PwLwywRC8-PLc3uxHRkVtg/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07813" width="404" /></a></p> <p>My morning at work FLEW by, but that is always a good thing, right?!?! It was already after noon when I had my morning snack of <strong>1 c watermelon</strong> for <strong>1 point</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLEPRgBe8iHH2kged1efs0rFbIscZkpVwpQgqU_5d7EO13OrJYj8SsAwmGqw1InxzbShH7ZsS-eA4hv2wVmxxcTnzqRyGHgHqCLlJtpqsB3cPTfO_b7469Su2y6gEFGEMXZ7FCktB1oESA/s1600-h/DSC07814%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07814" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrVB-UQs24PFcKkg3rK5I5KpQPYEwQUtOR-SCquCp4uHZKOZtdbnbSe6u1iO6BzcN8z-jBvQksf7lSaAdWHqzZ9hKuyy9118PGGl4keUoLSsdGtmPQ68nhH0koORpbeG-Sxwi_1kjd4H8/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07814" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Before I knew it 3 o’clock was already here and I hadn’t left for lunch yet. So I decided just to grab a quick <strong>sandwich</strong> from <strong>Subway</strong> just across the street. I had a ham & turkey for <strong>6 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglpVjEW5q4v1zuFx85JhR84hBD8iXc9mlh2OX4Bm2f4eee3AhsVFGhwEh2doekcPSKfu9satDPJBLVQYOUvTESCXfi7cxkSBZ0Mu4-1Ol8AYLGgYCvFK9HPNz900rWWhnXUfP4VivcDjuj/s1600-h/DSC07816%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07816" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3s9pjhv4seiv5zhQeecNymp8VMrdaaVBHGU5uVKeV0ot72TN8JUIvMIYwEYTiR8I4ftkUAzEO7Ek43bM8v84CDdyvM1DkUyYFqXaGD_Fhqj8mOM5SPWj_0z8bVLSsH0weKYZvHl5LLr4i/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07816" width="404" /></a></p> <p>My work day flew by and before I knew it time to call it a day! I had plans to go with a friend to a class, but before we did I had a quick <strong>snack</strong> of <strong>1 c cantaloupe</strong> and <strong>1/2c cottage cheese</strong> for<strong> 3 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5X68O-4bnQdqLfZrVWJtYIpzA3UwUg4HQn95gtlWkUivEBqok7lTAUSyHd2GseNSZITHr98TQ96api-1NAJStKRg82X8p_QKABdDrQXBblnicgUQqHTmu9z48w3stLGl1gAof6TpZgqS/s1600-h/DSC07817%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07817" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8c-BEnmGCBgU-LZwv-WlL-FEiEI4ZNtJMXllbkEiayOAuUB1bvaMRKV-UQOY86UYnha_Xqo4mGh7JHT1DYMWrh9aoguha-F4q-0b-ksXB_gUcUPOyXC6ukSU52g6MBQNJ7Os0U_f76fPP/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07817" width="404" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>The class went well, but I didn’t have much of my evening left. I got home around 9pm and snacked on some <strong>chips & salsa</strong> while packing my gym bag. Not the best option, but it was quick & easy. I am estimating my portion would be about <strong>7 points</strong>. </p> <p>Ok guys, I’m gonna hit the hay! But I did want to say again thank you so much for all your encouragement. I know this 8 week challenge isn’t going to be easy, but I know with your support <font size="3"><strong><u>I can do it</u></strong>!!</font></p> <p><strong>WEDNESDAY’S STATS</strong></p> <p>POINTS = 22/23 <br />WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 0 used/35 remaining <br />ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED =    2 today/7 week <br />WATER =  104 oz <br />EXERCISE = 32 min cross ramp & abs</p>

Busy Day

Happy Hump day!! Feels more like Tuesday since I didn't work on Monday, but hey it's Wednesday, I'll take it!! I started my da...

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Back at it!!!

<p>First of all, <strong><u><em><font size="3">THANK YOU</font></em></u></strong> so much for all your encouraging comments from my <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/07/8-weeks.html">post earlier today</a>! You guys are seriously the BEST!I think the thing that helps the most is knowing that I'm not the only one out there going through this! </p> <p>Monday night I was a good girl and got my gym bag ready. When the alarm went off at 5:30 this morning I hopped out of bed and hit the gym!! I got in<strong> 30 minutes</strong> on the <strong>cross ramp</strong> while watching Boy Meets World...I used to love that show! ;) After cardio I finished up my workout with a few weights. Felt so good to be back in the gym. </p> <p>I headed to my office and whipped up some <strong>oatmeal</strong>. I mixed in <strong>1T</strong> of <strong>peanut butter</strong> and sliced a <strong>banana</strong> for a total of <strong>5 points</strong>.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGkVb06dKG8_30dUMy1strOiTHuAmX9PDcb4DmN-9NkgD4u9IirIrT3U5sBzqPveCBvwpKLa5O9nVUvt79kEQOonKs2RQV_WxzT5kBlBsAVghS1AspwFMtbCleH2kNiFMhKs7r2-fa0EI/s1600-h/DSC07801%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07801" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjCOYd53P-VlG-pfYYWipohXbqPBPZQ8TxEBAYzXZ0mvH0Dg_NoeWKnuTurGsXSILyAm_-ZaOqXEARGsrMXbLiOv11WFK5PMMJrRNRQrlkqrnjWsEE9hirgYq9_imY79q9frUbE06X3Vr/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07801" width="404" /></a> </p> <p>Mid morning I snacked on <strong>1 c</strong> of fresh <strong>pineapple </strong>for<strong> 1 point</strong>. I always thought strawberries were my favorite fruit, but I think pineapple is right up there!! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieXNrU9bQPWABcHP41UyxWDF-z3fg-fkr6TbN-DmeRiYYGOnLbzkDhyRCt9BNX0qot0pkvg1IsBmcZ-6wrthpRniYyFt9moKr0wwqu_UAT5Ighht1su_Tvd1zMve40CqN3MmCQZlZBEHuI/s1600-h/DSC07802%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07802" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WXy0PJ4oWj1mVWBSrhKPJ3uOA6e_9VojnXXbMHUJ_iUrJMYXjlyHSio-z-l-qJgJe9pK_WoWYCZ0MPSefL0xl9vo8nKZu_8bSK-7xqjEY8VQL2b_RQMyCgjl0CAMEveqKEzBPOFtbZIn/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07802" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Lunch today was at my desk because I had a full afternoon of meetings & presentations. But I came prepared and had a <strong>Smart Ones</strong> for <strong>6 points</strong>.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggh_rvPluzY-SPmv0KtE_9udvi6V6p_7tYSkwADrbSblL0lW0t16zIMsa6Dz4g4nEqdUjxRu608c9o2cXZ4uUd9mFO1Ie5Q89NIXcLuV-5oYF2n5tdYiw2tjmRdZMvaCwW6atabnmWSvLg/s1600-h/DSC07803%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07803" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRjQOOP9ICBa_zLgd8RY80DV_iSZlzikv-TcJHBG5osebXp48rtA8HjRb2pno3BYwuQHB3KnyTAlRh_MQtmP3lr9QVdY1W0Ia1zoUiHdGn_QmAD_F3Mm91rnlLD5GyDPHem4ZPnGjcPQgZ/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07803" width="404" /></a></p> <p>After my full afternoon at work I headed home and Kyle and I hit the pavement right away for<strong> workout #2</strong> of the day!! <em>These 20lbs don’t stand a chance!</em> We just went <strong>2 miles</strong>, but I felt like we ran 5, I was super sweaty and my legs were toast!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyR_8zvkK0-FmmaoFSE99ABkJGc9x7bZ794yDqIydGS9Qm5Bz9asoB7fIJTFcXvQK4Me3AwBwIWJBhBvw4ROrEO7baYNlYWesjtLBtGP8djuS6JaKW42tkIsSuIpYPYNbLZuhgIAFekVqu/s1600-h/DSC07809%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07809" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFEAfS5OATpYCxW5BohIpjKhIlKGyuCa2CzEJyTC0fnKfDq9BudpSv3towfgSx9cAd5WlBSFpnX-PqSCEAyOp_b4VD3nTNzBnO9DQfTmA7C1HdNhCBWqaMlMl14lOSagub3s7hsZ2xOBA8/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07809" width="404" /></a></p> <p>After our short, but sweaty workout we made a quick <strong>supper</strong> together. Kyle grilled the chicken and I got the sides ready. My plate consisted of <strong>3oz chicken breast</strong>, <strong>1 T bbq sauce</strong>, <strong>1 c watermelon</strong>, <strong>1/2 c cottage cheese</strong>, and <strong>1 c green beans</strong> for a total of <strong>6 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovxYXTIbwi6w7cnfSIL1HxRStwtIUt-b-ZpPQ1NaiGr3srGD7dQM0C1xakmOo9ZUrVO-oQ2m9jQcN8QCff13SMz8BTg6IXNT0XJfIEA5oqumz07ILGxKf9YRDc5bc3bdcoEEWxFSgxyTt/s1600-h/DSC07810%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07810" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3BGEqh1W89G8BP385GGBc93k3nQPNP7sCyUZiU7h6Pm4NwpMsk8uWwJgtwjKDav3dNxtG2LrOCSats2wa3zTiebzspi16_-HDHKx5ImX9ewaSz3OKH_POqXZVgoPTT0fNl4TGLpxNtxUB/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07810" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I’m off to address baby shower invites for a very special Mom-to-be!! But that story is for another day! ;)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-zHXTuoeciYj9xJptpcYDie7rXT-tmEjMyqBn5qVQhotgfQMsaT8AfVokTSRM_nbk_X2rcmPPfM0UrKP1g2PyDRzaGYHwgu4diZZ5PFBEPP3nICD7v0BXXE6GI6c3DbOsZZul2aagnQC/s1600-h/DSC07812%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07812" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGUBixeQLHs5sE1DreASfjCJe-PQHSUAMJDKmUMbiYtC2VpfOL-UuRrmF9LVbYn3mE0K2vYVWNLEFMbEYBjoBObZnOAXUdexCEMVRFtWgGare9P9wZVQsgvNaEk7NAOcK-MDII1t4fOasZ/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07812" width="404" /></a></p> <p><strong>TUESDAY’S STATS</strong></p> <p>POINTS = 18/23 <br />WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 0 used/35 remaining <br />ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED =    5 today/5 week <br />WATER =  112 oz <br />EXERCISE = 30 min cross ramp, weights, & 20 min run</p>

Back at it!!!

First of all, THANK YOU so much for all your encouraging comments from my post earlier today ! You guys are seriously the BEST!I think the ...

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8 weeks!

Hello everyone! I'm still around!! Life has been CRAZY, to say the least. There are so many things going on right now and in the midst of it all I let my running & eating go by the way-side. Bad, I know! Here are a few confessions, I need to get this off my chest!<br /><br />1. I've eaten whatever was most convenient, not the most healthy.<br />2. I haven't been tracking my food. <br />3. I can count on 1 hand how many times I worked out in June.<br />4. My clothes are too tight.<br />5. I don't feel comfortable in my own skin.<br /><br />I can't continue on this path. I have to find a happy medium. I don't not want my weight & health to be a roller coaster for the rest of my life. So I'm going to make a change <span style="font-style:italic;">*once again*</span> before it gets too bad. <br /><br />I wish there was a way to bottle up that determination I have at times to save for days where I have the "I just don't care" attitude". <br /><br />I was thinking about my weight and this horrible roller coaster I keep getting on and I have decided I need to get 100% serious about it. It is 8 weeks until my 26th birthday and I would love to be under 160lbs by then! I think that would be the best gift of all!<br /><br />I know hitting goal [150lbs] by then is not possible, but I think I could really buckle down and lose some major lbs in 8 weeks. I guess it would be helpful if you knew how much I had to lose, huh! I weighed in this morning at 179.5. To be honest I was <span style="font-weight:bold;">SO</span> glad that it didn't say 180 or higher! So here's to the next 8 weeks and losing 20 lbs! I know it's a lofty goal...but I think it's more than possible! Wish me luck!

8 weeks!

Hello everyone! I'm still around!! Life has been CRAZY, to say the least. There are so many things going on right now and in the midst o...

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Planning de la semaine du 05 au 09 juillet 2010

<BR><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Permanences<br /></span></strong></h2><ul><br /><li>Le <strong>Conseil Général du Loiret</strong> sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans<br />- le lundi 05 juillet de 9h à 12h30,<br />- le mardi 06 juillet de 9h à 12h30 et de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le mercredi 07 juillet de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le jeudi 08 juillet de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le vendredi 09 juillet de 13h30 à 17h.<br /><br /><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2007/11/boutique-de-gestion.html">Boutique de Gestion</a></strong> (sur rendez-vous)<br />- lundi 05 juillet de 13h30 à 17h<br />- vendredi 09 juillet de 09h à 12h30</ul><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Ateliers</span></strong><br /></h2><br /><ul><li><strong>CV</strong> - mardi 06 juillet de 9h à 12h30 et mercredi 07 juillet de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong>Lettre de Motivation</strong> - mardi 06 juillet de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong>Pôle-emploi.fr</strong> - vendredi 09 juillet de 10h à 11h30<br /><br /><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2009/07/atelier-situtilises-tu-trouves.html">Sit'Utilises tu trouves</a></strong> - vendredi 09 juillet de 14h à 16h</ul>

Planning de la semaine du 05 au 09 juillet 2010

Permanences Le Conseil Général du Loiret sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans - le lundi 05 ju...

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Concord To Southwark: Reflections On Unity And Freedom

July 4 feels different to me this year thanks in large part to the efforts of Canterbury to rein in our Episcopal Church. I have observed the 4th by watching the HBO mini-series, John Adams, and it has renewed my appreciation of what a complex and life-tearing soul-twisting ordeal the American revolution was. It also led me to the following two, somewhat churchy somewhat political, reflections.<br /><br />Reflection 1: The American revolutionaries appealed to a tradition of freedom and dignity which was their inheritance from England. The Declaration of Independence echoed the themes of Article 37 of the Articles of Religion, “The bishop of Rome hath no jurisdiction in this realm.” Of course, the Declaration of Indpendence (and the Constitution after it) echoed the democratic themes of the Magna Carta and Elizabeth II’s policies of toleration and freedom of belief and conscience. How ironic that the source of our freedom-tradition had become our oppressor! More than ironic, this is telling. What startles me is that England declared its independence of the political-legal-ecclesiastical authority of Rome in the late 16th Century, then spent the 17th Century becoming a colonial power and wound up being, all too often, a force of oppression.<br /><br />The American impulse to freedom, inherited from England, found expression in the Declaration of Independence and is heard today in the witty blog title, “The Archbishop of Canterbury hath no jurisdiction in this realm.” But we are no less human than our English brothers and sisters. We spent the late 18th Century claiming our freedom, then the 19th century buying and conquering our way to the Pacific Ocean, then the first half of the 20th Century establishing our own colonial dominion beyond our borders. The point: it is a tricky thing this claiming freedom. When we exert resistance to oppression, the energy of resistance can go awry after the oppressor is out of the way. That same energy can become oppressive. Freedom is good, but a spiritually vulnerable thing. It is guarded not by the continued assertion of the power that won the freedom in the first place, but rather by its restraint.<br /><br />The defense of freedom with self-restraint was taught more deeply, wisely, and theologically by Reinhold Niebuhr and Langdon Gilkey. It was best practiced by George Washington after the war was won. His army was sick and tired of the ineptitude of the politicians in Philadelphia who had consistently failed to supply them or to pay them. The army officers decided to march on the city, impose a coup, and run this country right. Washington asked the privilege of meeting with them first which of course they granted him. He was after all George Washington. He took out his notes but was unable to read them. Fumbling for his glasses he said his eyes had grown dim in service to his country. And that was the end of the coup. Washington could and would have been the new king if he had wavered ever so slightly in his refusal. But he was adamant in resisting power and so became the American Cincinatus and we became a republic.<br /><br />Reflection 2: The American identity is rooted in two wars: the Revolutionary War and the Civil War – one war to take a body politic apart; the other, to hold one together. “There is a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them together.” Ecclesiastes 3: 5. Ah discernment – knowing what time it is. One cultural legacy of Martin Luther’s bold stand of conscience is that we tend to make solitary stands of conscience heroic per se. We have a societal tendency toward secession. We like to stand up, make a heated statement, and stomp off. It proves we are brave and of sturdier moral stuff than the rest of the group. Churches, art councils, college faculties, and garden clubs fly apart with the centrifugal force of this self-enhancing assertion, a curious blend of conscience and pride.<br /><br />Watching John Adams, I was struck by the divisions in the Continental Congresses. There were voices for independence from the get go (like Sam Adams), voices of conciliation and unity to the end (like John Dickinson), and folks who valued peace and unity but ultimately decided that authentic freedom demanded revolution (like Washington). The tension between peace and freedom, mutuality and independence, is a delicate dance performed in families, churches, and nations. Authentic relationship is not achieved by servility, dominance, or stomping out of the room. It starts with being our authentic selves and striving with care and compassion to find how we can be relationship with other authentic selves.<br /><br />That point has implications for all our relationships. But in the limited context of the Anglican Communion, the question is how can our Episcopal Church be its authentic self and be in relationship with other Provinces that share our history but not all aspects of our polity or theology. Here again, it helps to remember our history. If the English bishops had been willing to consecrate an American bishop, Samuel Seabury, our relationship with Canterbury might be decidedly different today. But precisely because Seabury was an American believing in our independence, that is to say he would not swear allegiance to the king of England, they refused to consecrate him – a refusal echoed recently in the Southwark mitergate incident. Scottish bishops, who already did not swear such allegiance, consecrated him. Hence, we are not the Church of England in America. We are the Episcopal Church which shares history with the C of E, just as the United States shares history with the UK. The concept of a network of churches with this shared history (the Anglican Communion) was the idea of American and Canadian clergy in the late 19th Century. We began having periodic gatherings of bishops for prayer and fellowship, then more recently formed other ways to collaborate in mission. Having ourselves begun this informal spiritual network, constituted by “bonds of affection” not rules and power structures, I am confident we will continue to relate to our fellow Anglicans in a spirit of authentic care.

Concord To Southwark: Reflections On Unity And Freedom

July 4 feels different to me this year thanks in large part to the efforts of Canterbury to rein in our Episcopal Church. I have observed th...

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Mise à jour au 1er juillet 2010 des "Chiffres sociaux utiles"

<BR><br />Le 1er juillet 2010, les allocations d'assurance chômage (ARE, ARE formation) ont été revalorisées suite à la décision du Conseil d'administration du 29 juin 2010 <br /><br /><a title="View MDE chiffres sociaux 072010 on Scribd" href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/33780209/MDE-chifhttp://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1212442185969720175&postID=1827352603195410696fres-sociaux-072010" style="margin: 12px auto 6px auto; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; display: block; text-decoration: underline;">MDE chiffres sociaux 072010</a> <object data="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf" height="500" id="doc_566753779039421" name="doc_566753779039421" rel="media:document" resource="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id=33780209&access_key=key-lkj9e0iljhr39q2067x&page=1&viewMode=list" style="outline:none;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="100%" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/searchmonkey/media/"> <param name="movie" value="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf"> <param name="wmode" value="opaque"> <param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff"> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"> <param name="FlashVars" value="document_id=33780209&access_key=key-lkj9e0iljhr39q2067x&page=1&viewMode=list"> <embed id="doc_566753779039421" name="doc_566753779039421" src="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id=33780209&access_key=key-lkj9e0iljhr39q2067x&page=1&viewMode=list" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="500" width="100%" wmode="opaque" bgcolor="#ffffff"></embed> </object> <br /><BR>

Mise à jour au 1er juillet 2010 des "Chiffres sociaux utiles"

Le 1er juillet 2010, les allocations d'assurance chômage (ARE, ARE formation) ont été revalorisées suite à la décision du Conseil d'...

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The Gorge at George - Lilith Fair this weekend

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFP4nkHfMAzDDoNBotYqRjjFSuwdBA1mzbUiOqd0na_ylJh76bxBcG3Rwnf3hpNAQ5i_Z0QxrGdgAdV0oL64gXAS60os_49kp_IU7_5BApWLDj3u009wFFuOkWPobPKTgK5Zd8T_D3njWJ/s1600/lilith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="357" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFP4nkHfMAzDDoNBotYqRjjFSuwdBA1mzbUiOqd0na_ylJh76bxBcG3Rwnf3hpNAQ5i_Z0QxrGdgAdV0oL64gXAS60os_49kp_IU7_5BApWLDj3u009wFFuOkWPobPKTgK5Zd8T_D3njWJ/s400/lilith.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />My company gave away some tickets to the Lilith Fair for this weekend at the Gorge, WA amphitheater. I've only been there once before, about 15 years ago to see Carly Simon (free tickets from my company then too).<br /><br />It's a super fun place for a concert. It's going to be 79 degrees, and I'm so excited. I really had no idea what the Lilith Fair was all about, just that Sheryl Crow was going to be there, and I love her.<br /><br />I won the tickets, and told my husband we were going to see Sheryl Crow, Sarah McLaughlin, Colbie Caillat and several other female artists. <br /><br />When my girlfriend at work asked me who was going with me, I said Jack of course. She giggled, and asked me if I knew what the Lilith Fair was all about. I told her of course, it a lot of female musicians singing at the Gorge. She said yes, but mostly women attended, mostly lesbians. That doesn't bother me, they're just women. <br /><br />I was pretty sure this wouldn't bother my husband either, but I asked him about it last night. He said he could care less if it was mostly women, straight or not. What was the big deal and why did I think he'd care? He just wanted to see Sheryl Crow, because, well, you know, she's a really good singer (translation...yes she sings great but she's also hot). <br /><br />It's a three-hour drive from our house, and we're staying in nearby Ephrata, WA overnight. It should be fun , and I'll have tons of pictures to post when I get home. Now I can't wait for the weekend!<br /><br />Then in a another ten days I'll be Alaska bound to visit family! Things are looking up!<br /><br />Plus, I have vacation starting July 15. Woohoo!

The Gorge at George - Lilith Fair this weekend

My company gave away some tickets to the Lilith Fair for this weekend at the Gorge, WA amphitheater. I've only been there once before, a...

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Hello and goodbye Portland, Oregon

I was in Portland today, all day. Well, not actually Portland the city, more like Portland our offices near the airport. I was working with another developer to help get her to speed on a project I'm working on. Super sweet lady, with a EE Masters (Electrical Engineering). In other words, much smarter than me, and really nice.<br /><br />It's always sort of awkward trying to teach someone something when I know they're light years more intelligent than me. It all worked out, and I have no doubt she'll quickly figure it out.<br /><br />This really messed up my day since I didn't have time to get the gym this morning. I had to catch an early flight and working out before the flight wasn't possible. I was so drained afterwards that going to the gym wasn't really an option either.<br /><br />I also didn't take a lunch and only had a twenty minute break, which meant I couldn't leave the office. I bought a tuna fish sandwich out of the lunchroom vending machine. It had an expiration date of today. It was disgusting with dried up tuna salad . I'd rather starve than eat it so it went right into the trash.<br /><br />My coworker had some whole grain Goldfish graham crackers that she shared with me (delicious, taste like little cookies), which had 8 grams of sugar per serving. Along with a V-8 juice, that was my lunch. Not the healthiest thing I've ever eaten but it was better than nothing.<br /><br />I'm just glad today is over and back to my regular schedule tomorrow. The whole airport experience and traveling, even a short distance, just exhausts me. Early to bed and tomorrow the gym and healthy eating.

Hello and goodbye Portland, Oregon

I was in Portland today, all day. Well, not actually Portland the city, more like Portland our offices near the airport. I was working with ...

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Istanbul Of The American West

Austin, NV – named for Austin, TX but that’s where the resemblance ends – got its start when Wm. Talcott, a Pony Express agent, discovered silver at this point along the legendary trail that is today Highway 50, “the loneliest road in America.” The silver boom is long gone, but Austin remains the richest source of entertainment in Nevada. I say this with all due deference to the Strip. This weekend was my annual visit to St. George’s, Austin.<br /><br />Saturday evening began with dinner – a meatball sandwich – at the Last Chance Saloon on the east edge of town. Despite its name The Last Chance is “a clean well lighted place” (Hemmingway) with a homey atmosphere. The proprietor gave me a favorable review of our new priest Darla Cantrell’s first time officiating at a wedding and gave me the card for her bed and breakfast, which is a castle 12 miles out of town. I later learned her husband is building an actual water filled moat around it. It sounded eccentric to me until I learned Austin has another castle, this one built in 1897, modeled after a Roman watch tower. A few weary gold miners were dining at the Last Chance as well. When they left, the miners gave me all sorts of brochures for local archaeological sites, caves, petro glyphs, pictographs, etc. That was pretty hospitable for tired miners on a Saturday night.<br /><br />I then made my annual pilgrimage to the International Bar, not “a clean well lighted place” – a deliberately darker ambience. Odo the bar dog remembered me – or feigned recollection with the pastoral pretense common to bishops and bar dogs. The crowd was thin this time, but the television was showing The Magnificent Seven so I settled in for a long slow drink watching the complex heroism of Yul Brenner, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, James Coburn and the ptsd/ alcohol afflicted Robert Vaughn (the character, not Vaughn himself) unfold for the cause of justice in Mexico. The other patrons were well drillers. Austin is home to quite a gathering of well drillers this year since they discovered a hotbed (so to speak) of geothermal energy. There was much talk of virtues of geothermal in contrast to oil and coal. But the conversation also drifted to Emiliano Zappata and Pancho Villa. I am not sure they noticed the connection to the movie.<br /><br />At one point a driller from California discovered that someone had written “(expletive deleted) yeah” on the wall. He was greatly offended – not by the expletive per se – but rather because he believed he had coined the term “(expletive deleted) yeah” 30 years ago. He regarded the graffiti as an infringement of his intellectual property rights in the expression.<br /><br />Back at the Pony Canyon Motel, I fell quickly asleep but was awakened early by the television on the other side of the paper thin wall. It was saying “Thirty-three dollars and thirty-three cents. That's right. Only thirty-three dollars and thirty-three cents a week.” I hastily showered, dressed, and headed off to breakfast at the Toiyable Café.<br /><br />The Toiyabe is a wonderful place complete with deer heads. I sat there waiting for my breakfast reading the emotivist rather Zen verse of Alberto Caerero, a heteronym of the Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa – poems written in 1914 generally about how things are only what they are but that’s just fine. Reading Pessoa/Caerero in the Toiyable struck me as perhaps somehow out of step. Then a couple sat down in the next booth. The man was large and white bearded; the woman a bit younger and subtly artsy, but very subtly. They began talking about visual arts in conceptual terms I did not understand. Their conversation turned to matters of technique which I also did not understand, but I could tell the woman was making a case for simplicity. She said something like “I just used pieces of purple cut glass. Some of them were pie shaped. Some were carrot shaped. I put them in triangles and that was enough.” The last part captured my attention. “That was enough.” Caerero’s Zen simplicity seemed right at home.<br /><br />Then I stepped next door to St. George’s, the quaintest of quaint old brick churches with ancient gnarled poplars in the front yard. You may recall from earlier posts that St. George’s, a building on the historic registry, is also distinguished by its bell tower which doubles as the restroom. Worship at St. George’s was warm and engaged. Their veteran priest, Estelle, has been away quite awhile now with health problems. But their new priest, Darla, the Lander County dispatcher, fighting crime by day and preaching the gospel on weekends, is doing a magnificent job of holding the community together. They sang out the hymns with gusto accompanied by an ecclesiastical karaoke machine. They nodded and facially encouraged me through the sermon. They said the responses with energy and received communion with reverence. The morning could not have been better.<br /><br />Then it was back to the Toiyabe for lunch with about half of the congregation. The server spoke to each and every one of them by name. One of the congregation, Frank Whitman, is working on a pictorial history of Austin and likes to wander the cemetery looking at tombstones. He described the tombstone of one Kee Lee whose epitaph read “Here lies a good Chinaman.” Ethnic sensitivity had apparently not made it to Austin by the time of Mr. Lee’s death. But the “unfortunate language” (Barak Obama speaking of Sen. Reid) was redeemed when it turned out most of the people at the table had actually known Kee Lee and remembered him with affection and respect as a wise and artful story teller.<br /><br />Austin refuses to be reduced to any simple characterization. It is a post modern mountain mining town where geothermal green energy is discovered and developed among the ruins of played out silver mines and archaeological relics of human habitation 8000 years ago. It is pride in crude expressions set alongside sophisticated artistic minimalism. This is surely the Istanbul of the American West compressed into a village -- all this without broad band access. Every visit to Austin amazes me and I know I have barely scratched the surface.

Istanbul Of The American West

Austin, NV – named for Austin, TX but that’s where the resemblance ends – got its start when Wm. Talcott, a Pony Express agent, discovered s...

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