This little piggie went to town

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9k43TJgbya69JANAlQwNQbmYBTgUb-RDqP0BlLxpq37-yl73ANUd-yeO-3eFtkLBhLMYXBVFCf6lFfOOyQrJgVp4aiaPX2uKC8ijIo2zUJFKqEeIbhZC7ZbjgByQcRgouJsPwwzEVi_VO/s1600-h/claimjumperhome_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9k43TJgbya69JANAlQwNQbmYBTgUb-RDqP0BlLxpq37-yl73ANUd-yeO-3eFtkLBhLMYXBVFCf6lFfOOyQrJgVp4aiaPX2uKC8ijIo2zUJFKqEeIbhZC7ZbjgByQcRgouJsPwwzEVi_VO/s320/claimjumperhome_logo.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /></div>My best friend and I went out tonight to celebrate her birthday with dinner and a movie. I seriously don't know what happened to me, but it was like I checked my brain at the door.<br /><br />I had the evening planned, exactly what I would eat, where I would eat it, how much and how many Points I would consume. I'd had my normal breakfast and a light lunch. I'd eaten 11 Points so I had plenty left for dinner.<br /><br />We went to <a href="http://www.claimjumper.com/" target="blank">Claim Jumper</a>, my girlfriend's favorite restaurant (and not somewhere I would chose - but it was her birthday - her choice). This is one of those places that serves portions fit for a lumberjack. It's totally ridiculous but that's their trademark, huge, unhealthy, fat laden, high calorie, delicious food. <br /><br />I looked up the nutritional information and the rotisserie chicken looked like my best choice for 14 Points. I knew it would be half of a chicken, and I would eat half of the half for 7 Points. Then there's the sides, sweet potato without the brown sugar or butter. Roasted vegetables in a ton of oil (no choice here because they're already prepared). I ordered the apple-cinnamon muffin with the intention of taking it home to my husband.<br /><br />All I can say is I think I went temporarily insane. I ate the entire half chicken, all of the sweet potato which was huge (518 calories!), and I ate the entire muffin. It was gigantic, like three muffins in one and it tasted like coffee cake. The meal came with vegetables roasted in oil, lots of oil. I ate all of them.<br /><br />After we finished dinner, the waitress brought us TWO giant red velvet cupcakes with at least an inch of frosting, and a lit candle on each one. She said she saw us opening presents so she thought it must be our birthdays. <br /><br />If you think I turned down a red velvet cupcake you're crazy. I ate it, every last bite. It was on a giant plate covered with little hearts made out of chocolate syrup which I mopped up with the cupcake. Who am I???<br /><br />It gets even worse. We went to the movie, Leap Year (great movie, loved it!). I bought candy! I never buy candy. It was like I was possessed by a demon. I bought a box of Raisenettes and a box of Milk Duds. My girlfriend couldn't believe I was still hungry, but I didn't feel satisfied. It was so weird. I ate both boxes of candy by myself. <br /><br />I'm home now and literally feel ill, like I'm going to throw up. It's like there's food stuck in my esophagus. I'm sweating and nauseous and kicking my own butt for being so incredibly stupid. What the hell is wrong with me?<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />OH MY GOD! I just added up the calories and fat grams for that meal at Claim Jumper (it should be called Heart Attack Central!) and the candy at the movies.<br /><br />3,935 calories and 78 grams of fat!!!!!!!

This little piggie went to town

My best friend and I went out tonight to celebrate her birthday with dinner and a movie. I seriously don't know what happened to me, but...

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Working Wednesday

<p>Well friends, the storm calmed down and I finally went to work today! And it sure it a <strong>GOOD</strong> thing. I had some <strong>MAJOR</strong> reports I had to get through.</p> <p>Backing up a bit, I slept in a bit and had to make a stop to pick up a gift card for my one of my staff’s birthday today, so I only got in 25 minutes on the treadmill this morning. But the way I look at it is that 25 minutes is <em>WAY</em> better than 0 minutes! I <strong>ran</strong> for <strong>12 minutes</strong> and my legs just weren’t wanting to go much more so I finished it off with a<strong> 13 minute walk @</strong> an <strong>incline</strong>.  </p> <p>After my short workout I made the usual oatmeal. But today the banana was <strong>much bigger</strong> than the little ones I’ve used in the past so I’m counting <strong>5 points</strong> for my <strong>banana</strong>, <strong>chocolate PB2</strong>, and <strong>oatmeal</strong> combo. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrKIZ3M0Vw-vq0CwJ8ijTF2lRvpyquiaePzwsCv07o_hgKn99YhFxsYISCPky81BgwdaAkHNqwNGtPz1T3oeOJCUFlI5l0K0QpwQw08TEF4otFnOuCWLYuE8Y061rI6esyOT2ZWE4KiA6/s1600-h/DSC05862%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05862" border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSB5Np4EDf4xrZqTzpH2fyl5pD5tga_SBYGuXWcYL8TPoPCTlSvtJCLiNTqCqxwPkKl6ING8GI31QyzJ5ZVUKDaz2RRYyhZI1vOhLRWFi8d3gxGOfZ3UD8xF4VAYTNrxKRw94VUsbH69Q5/?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="DSC05862" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Mid morning I snacked on a <strong>sliced golden delicious apple</strong> for <strong>1 point</strong>. Can you see the <strong>2 GIANT reports</strong> I worked on <strong>ALL</strong> day today?!?!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeED0LhNpBJeMkpUG2GXUvKZXeaMRBguh3kgGTA-IUZrvZaSpJt5yaAJ92LSPAc7DoNnBUsIzm_TbVPKVccQoqhufqxoEcjmGr9oynr8NVdXLv0DtYVfRrodTH0O0GdEGo3amMf_10gs1b/s1600-h/DSC05863%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05863" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkgFoZXRRzZJEijh5AXCDcygXATUcCCyIbpZVQgIKX1wJC2JNqY-vWsQOKqJghLZJ1ms9hVdt857lN2fEvPTn5t527uk4DvW-EUvWF7_Pde89kYC8ncdcT7RZgpujrULCmcsyOBF0dSFU/?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="DSC05863" width="404" /></a></p> <p>My 2nd morning snack was a <strong>cucumber</strong> with a side of <strong>ranch</strong> for dipping for <strong>1 point</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6OovWaGKFGnjNBuyFjv-wM-nWiEqOVXN9_kITi51vfAa8w4bNSSgydVZ35qSotqykNE3a9Nznz0O00pLyCzr3x7xmn1OIMgfMFn8ZLKzkGVzKljiZiyZex_mKs20KGVD6N0z93s0AIwY/s1600-h/DSC05864%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05864" border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupoP8XgdDEL0lBUTcgK5WaSYHIfMkQ6uMI_i6iEvGQP424WXd99h0lBu31wTdadQ-E_GxyoM6nFPCqXc6VGgLbtx32R8gSaxvOUybivQLK5-4mxM1ck-_fbM4OA09NvsiyA0BSMWCIhLB/?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="DSC05864" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Kyle got off work early today so he was able to let our puppy out so I didn’t have to go home on my lunch break, which was nice since I had <strong>LOTS</strong> to do today! So I had a working lunch, a<strong> SmartOnes</strong> for <strong>5 points</strong>. Quick & easy! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhReb1UdNKytTRAuDF77rR-6I2PJmyGgHOUoU6R-xyTRKGQkgRNT8jAlq6LaSQ83umkGjsT9CLyKX4uyroyRt6jho8sICus0zXwsYxklrU6WGWD3UK7Xk0u3duOixui1B-BNU_OjCcAzwUS/s1600-h/DSC05865%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05865" border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjko431Of4vwZcPEsaQTJpKduyI_kGwZrAjqOGY8rZ7OP-BUZRNvyxYVMNkNYKOd-kqA3q8hyphenhypheniaMJr3wTEI2prT5Wks8T23-8wYuWOk4mdMW8f6Q34eH4XH001pPgaqu4QxUI8yCb-bMns/?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="DSC05865" width="404" /></a></p> <p>One of my staff members left this on my desk for me! I looked it up before I ate it and it was only <strong>38 calories</strong>, so I slowly enjoyed this <strong>1 point chocolate snack</strong>! :) <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzEUIzfpnrIQbFsspwyqbP8cZpYE1IX5g1ZEAkWPlXoiBNNTxhYjSRboSGBriNGjKdSO6oPi6NRA1SIAXXOjsi1tOCvlfIElhwXoODZ_WxRv612OpJaBTJkA3SCTmb6CBwK7sIZm67mcBf/s1600-h/DSC05866%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05866" border="0" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAb8dsEQhBh_BH8zquC6hcddeDtsgIKNe5YGjj6xJyNRkcFcwRzHmEQeTYO-1eywVeeNhEvneey_YwEtGWcG4ISU9CYc9zJCKEADkixrv-UG0kL3Cz44jHp-dJOgg7829iyg0bF1U7wXyT/?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="DSC05866" width="430" /></a></p> <p>Kyle called me and said he was going to hit the gym. So when I got off work I headed over and joined him. I got in another <strong>22 minutes</strong> on the <strong>cross ramp</strong>. So overall I am <u>pretty happy</u> with my 2 short workouts today!</p> <p>For supper tonight I made <strong>ugly fries</strong>! I haven’t had these for a LONG time. My sister made them for me when I first did weight watchers back in 2005. I modified the recipe a tad because I couldn’t find vegetarian chili. Mine consisted of <strong>16 crinkle cut fries</strong>, <strong>2 ff hot dogs</strong>, <strong>1/2 c Hormel turkey chili</strong>, <strong>1/4 c ff shredded cheddar</strong>, and just a <strong>tad bit</strong> of <strong>sour cream</strong>. All for<strong> 7 points.</strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xa0om-4PGgAcM5pLTs4R1UUCEK_OCddbwlIHOrIlito-5FiPUoJiCxd1wHyzOdFAWrxQX8DsYZAtrOzvaTi42b7Js7K6s54xz2N17OYULSgrmOeuNDpOhn3TFgNDqfmeBAiwRSTz9KWH/s1600-h/DSC05867%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05867" border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWscAKgVi8TnTDtG4rJWQLHrn9-yTmRktXdHeZVKw5dYLgqiKZxwgiL-Z6Agw008mys4wjgP4lgr7cP6jCX4iqBsq6PPCHwLcdNwLGO1zFFwDCCGWVCD2eH2IY_-o9_bo_FqDhmjyzDj0j/?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="DSC05867" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I would say this is the ultimate “<u>kid food</u>”…hot dogs & fries!! :) It is <strong>WAY</strong> too much though for one serving…look how much I had<strong> left over</strong>:<img alt="DSC05868" border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_F7hv0YFqqvFj660xoCHYWAerjtBafeYDaTKS6V-KmvokogZiNJrGgj0CRdoI0Jkwntfz8cE2AmNhwxiWvZAs-dDT9qJkqXFckGhxBDgYQ4h1ls5pPfPXwCFMObjwzEfFW5AIGF-kMOCx/?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="DSC05868" width="353" /></p> <p>Here is the recipe from my ww cookbook: <br /><strong>UGLY FRIES <br /></strong>16 large crinkle cut french fries <br />1 cup Hormel vegetarian Chili – low fat <br />1/4 c ff shredded cheddar cheese <br />2 TBS ff sour cream <br />2 ff hot dogs <br />2 TBS onions <br />1 tomato <br />Bake the fries. Cook hotdogs. Warm chili. Chop onion & tomato. Place fries on plate followed by hotdogs, chili, cheese, onion, tomato, & sour cream. </p> <p>A little later on I had a “<u>hankering</u>” for something sweet, after all I my lunch & supper was quite sodium packed! I peeled an <strong>orange</strong> and it did just the trick for just <strong>1 point</strong>.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYrdqHc9V88QZ5oPFPeTPjuv8bUn2nibjBUmRiaCGtJ4uIC7G3FOeXUIvPMraC6TCcq-YUaXYwaCAZIqS1Vy7-AN35o2jjg1e1DZyTfFZ9qAlus8QDXPDXDmwU78uVuuuIPil_tAFxHgy9/s1600-h/DSC05869%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05869" border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_cYaxLddbweYgbASsUVDer2o2oc4pEOnG2nVgaDW83myw0aCVqLBJtyP_SEGjtSnFzXjxDwhhPxGNexFuPK2MblkWPyHcrWjC5T1zW366x5AlJrHC3-J9Ge_EyuOIUF4FmdZBN5UbzqIz/?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="DSC05869" width="404" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>It’s barely 9pm and I’m already ready to<strong> hit the hay</strong>!! Hope everyone had a <strong>wonderful Wednesday</strong>, tomorrow’s ‘<strong>Friday Eve’</strong>!! :) </p> <p><strong>WEDNESDAY’S STATS</strong> <br />POINTS = 21/24 <br />WATER =  116 oz <br />EXERCISE = 25 min treadmill (12 min run/13 min walk @ incline) & 22 min cross ramp</p> <p><strong><u><em>EDIT</em></u></strong>: <em>I can’t believe I forgot this</em>. But today is the end of my first 2 weeks and the scale went <strong>down 1lb</strong>!! I was pretty happy with this because it was TOM 5 of the past 7 days! So total I’m down 6lbs in 2 weeks, not too shabby! (PS Thanks for the reminder Kelly!!) 9.5lbs to win the <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2009/12/sister-challenge-is-on.html">sister challenge</a> and 18.5 to goal! </p>

Working Wednesday

Well friends, the storm calmed down and I finally went to work today! And it sure it a GOOD thing. I had some MAJOR reports I had to get t...

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Programme 2010 des formations financées par la région Centre consultable sur internet

<BR><br />L'ensemble des formations financées par le Conseil Régional est consultable sur le site <a href="http://www.etoile.regioncentre.fr/" target="_blank">Etoile</a>.<br /><br />Il s'agit d'actions de qualification, d’insertion professionnelle et de savoirs de base et ce programme concerne à la fois les demandeurs d’emploi et les salariés.<br /><br />L'article <a href="http://www.etoile.regioncentre.fr/GIP/cache/offonce/accueiletoile/seformer/formation/actualites_formation/Suivre-une-formation-financee-par-la-Region_1;jsessionid=9E822F9E6039CF291C50014AE015526A" target="_blank">Suivre une formation financée par la Région</a> publié sur le site Etoile fournit quelques clés pour pouvoir bénéficier d'une de ces formations.<br /><br />L'espace <a href="http://www.etoile.regioncentre.fr/GIP/site/etoile/rechercheformation" target="_blank">Rechercher une formation</a> permet d'accèder à l'ensemble de l'offre de formation :<ul><li><a href="http://www.etoile.regioncentre.fr/GIP/cache/off/accueiletoile/seformer/formation/rechercheformation" target="_blank">Recherche simple</a> qui permet de combiner 2 critères de recherche : mot clé et lieu<br /><br /><li><a href="http://www.etoile.regioncentre.fr/GIP/accueiletoile/seformer/formation/rechercheformation/cache/off?url=http%3A//www.etoile.regioncentre.fr/metier-formation/rechFormation/recherche_formation.asp¶m=modeAcces%3DGRP&displayscreen=full" target="_blank">Recherche avancée</a> qui permet de combiner plus de critères de recherche.</ul>

Programme 2010 des formations financées par la région Centre consultable sur internet

L'ensemble des formations financées par le Conseil Régional est consultable sur le site Etoile . Il s'agit d'actions de qualific...

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It's all about the attitude

<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Yesterday I posted about my binging, how I obsess over it. I also mentioned how Velda's <a href="http://theclimbandsometimesthefall.blogspot.com/" target="blank">post</a> put my problems in perspective.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">What really stands out about Velda isn't the fact that her problem is worse than my problem, it's her attitude. Even though her prognosis is grim (4 to 6 months to live), she is still positive and upbeat about her life. She's fighting as hard as she can to live her life to the fullest. She has hope that just maybe she'll beat the odds. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It really is all about our attitude. None of the weight loss experts can help us if we have a bad attitude. If we constantly tell ourselves we're going to fail at losing weight and maintaining the loss, we'll be right.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">That's exactly where I've been for the last few weeks. I was feeling like this was just impossible. My binging was getting the best of me.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When I got home last night I decided I wasn't going to obsess about my binging anymore. I had to let go of that thought process. If it happened, it wasn't going to be the end of the world. So I eat late at night, so what? It might mean I won't lose weight, but again, so what?</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Last night I talked with my husband. I confessed my late night eating. He had no idea, which kind of surprised me. I told him it was a serious problem, and I didn't know how to fix it. Just sharing it with him was a relief. It's funny how I can tell complete strangers I'm a freak, but I struggle telling my own husband.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We didn't argue, he didn't say I was a bad person or crazy, and he wasn't judgmental. He was kind and understanding. He's never had a real weight issue himself, although he is currently 50 pounds overweight (and he hates it). He knows how hard I struggle, but I know he doesn't really get what I go through since he doesn't have food issues himself. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Afterwards I felt relaxed and not stressed out by the thoughts of binging. I really didn't care what happened. I couldn't keep fighting this thing tooth and nail, and then lose the battle every night. I decided it wouldn't be a battle. I'm not giving up, but I'm not going to war with myself night after night over whether or not I should eat.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I fell asleep early and slept through the night without waking up once during the night. It's been months since I've had a good night's sleep. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My attitude isn't super happy, with rainbows and butterflies, but I'm feeling kind of happy, hopeful. It's more of an attitude that I need to let some things go, things that aren't really that important. Things like binging.</span><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><span style="color: blue;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>A shoutout to my dear friend Pamela who is back among the living. I've missed her so much. She was the first person to ever comment on my blog. She's followed me for almost two years and has helped me tremendously. </em></span></strong><br /></span><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em><span style="color: blue;">Now it's my turn to return the favor. Please stop by Pamela's <a href="http://www.uncoveringpamela.com/blog/"><span style="color: purple;">blog</span></a> and offer her support. She's a wonderful person and she needs help right now.</span></em></span></strong>

binging It's all about the attitude

Yesterday I posted about my binging, how I obsess over it. I also mentioned how Velda's post put my problems in perspective. What reall...

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Yet another snow day!

<p>Happy Tuesday everyone! It sure was a good one for me! I started out with just a<strong> 2 hour delay</strong> for work, so I got a few extra zzz’s!!! Then around <strong>8am</strong> I got the <strong>notification</strong> that we were going to be <strong>closed</strong>!!<u> Hooray</u>, I love snow days!! I’ve heard reports that there are<strong> 5-8 foot drifts</strong> out in the country! Wow!!</p> <p>All of our<strong> snowed-in guests</strong> got up though and headed to work. Kyle had a meeting in Des Moines today (about 90 miles south). So he headed out early and only made it about 20 miles before<strong> turning around</strong>. The roads were not good. And the main one we take to get to Des Moines is closed from Des Moines all the way north to the Minnesota border! So I got a <strong>snow day</strong> at home with <strong>my honey</strong>! :)</p> <p>We made a nice <strong>big</strong>, <strong>warm breakfast</strong>! I had <strong>cinnamon apple french toast</strong> with <strong>sf syrup</strong> for only<strong> 4 points</strong>! Mmmm!!! I <u>peeled</u> an apple, <u>chopped </u>it up, put it in a bowl with a little bit of water in the bottom, <u>sprinkled</u> with cinnamon & spelnda, and <u>micro-waved</u> for 2 minutes. I used the warm apples & sf syrup to top my french toast! So delicious!</p> <p align="left">We invited our neighbor over and him & Kyle had chocolate chip pancakes, scrambled eggs, & sausage links! He was full of stories about working out in the storm! I ate a few of the leftover <strong>scrambled eggs</strong> that the guys couldn’t finish. I’m going to estimated <strong>4 points</strong> for the serving I ate. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOSzzsfY4-aD-PDNufOswx7Tyg67olR0QAmkCIkf_6PKFgwchaHNIH2NFVGev2T-fuH2Y6sUyGefXfwucxOfia-nVXsZaQXK6DC_5fJ_dg_r-vsLFDC2cuIdlpAzGcT_8nrw6kclBSpMt/s1600-h/DSC05857%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05857" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkb71kyJRNpOc3ZBn-NTJMeWv0xXRw_yqfkAPpibCyHqRs7HSeg6V7xWQ3n572u0wNn8sYGzTu76bcNZKA5tDuDL547ntaP2sEcof-pOLLCxbBleJZjNKoh1llN6YZeRPP7jxsyQKkYDvj/?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="DSC05857" width="404" /></a><em>In case you are wondering, I used 2 egg whites, an 1/8 c milk, a dash of vanilla, & a sprinkle of cinnamon for the coating on the bread. It was the perfect amount for 3 slices. And all of that & a 1/4c sf syrup was only 1 point! My other 3 points came from the apple and the 3 slices of bread.</em> </p> <p align="left">Later on, a snacked on an <strong>orange </strong>for <strong>1 point</strong>. <img alt="DSC05827" border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzv-JCfetM1kgUIQqih-QfsCWdhKZIcEuCpq1Sz72KOV5vu5bEqig1FcnWwe2S4Vt_WLNvxXmKw3u5p20ZBgAmb9h45KjmdFltPQ6SZR56djb7-iZZV9QjfGbPmF95bDCTkMTlJ-zPTZ9x/?imgmax=800" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="DSC05827" width="400" /></p> <p align="left">Our neighbor went home and Kyle decided to take a nap. He was up LATE last night chatting with my BIL. While he was snoozing I was busy going through my recipes. If I’m going to stick with this menu planning this each week, I know I’m going to have to ideas easily accessible, not printed on random pieces of paper just stuck in my cupboard. Or saved somewhere on my computer! So I got them all nicely organized either in a 3 ring binder w/page protectors or written out on a card in my recipe box!  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigO1Ypi3_gHEi0ksE2CN7ANrA8knVI5xJ6eaP8cxifTZHEnWAbrIKw2ilj_TRfRG1bs_dlr-RH3UEEEVOEFItS7ubksZQqRtUo_VlsBzwO4zlwfz2ZlLvhN5wSwKrZ1wlozqMv2hzw-he_/s1600-h/DSC05859%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05859" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiooPfvUKfeAXL4HeH5U3EbpC3HqXbzTPBhydE2ZWsHo0Pv40WyuNpiFMhmuvrAHbvID2Xmq2oOH93b_KD8QR6gqMhLXubqlFLyScUMMlUdi21MsBDRCyQpWHVseY7gWoL26wegVzIbbwFT/?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="DSC05859" width="404" /></a></p> <p align="left">Mid way through I decided I wanted to make one of the many recipes I was going through. I made<strong> </strong><a href="http://weight-watchers-points-recipes.blogspot.com/search?q=souffle"><strong>chocolate banana soufflés</strong></a>! (<strong>2 points</strong>) If you follow the link it will take you to the recipe from <a href="http://weight-watchers-points-recipes.blogspot.com/">Gina’s WW Recipes</a>. It was really good, but I don’t think I baked mine long enough. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2GvBFYxYLKk3pCZho51QEQbjXe-2yVZFAyJbM5-hL6pBdPFlmoW5yCn0f9KMGx_AR-LMkrklmASIgVAes48vtoCY_cJfY-uiD1Q9Vp7tUIFw27-zP8bo19rWudWZvb3k7G3ZotiZRhsZ/s1600-h/DSC05860%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05860" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA83whxEk7QgNbLjaPH2xLaGmFET7N2UFdpDDJx61lp8pduWAZKYJYo2oEzmLOvLVmoWd9VPIuwU3Tls9DlyB_0bMXgdAWo1HdRcGNluo9Z6jrXUSKNO9P-YXOLyy2HyhC_QADfsEfeCDU/?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="DSC05860" width="404" /></a></p> <p align="left">Around 5pm Kyle and I headed to the gym. I started out on the<strong> elliptical</strong> for<strong> 30 minutes</strong> and finished with a<strong> 12 minute run</strong>. I should have done it in the<strong> reverse order</strong> though, that run was<u> HARD</u>! My legs felt weak after working them out on the elliptical!</p> <p>We came home to a <strong>wonderful smelling</strong> house, thanks to the crock-pot! Cheesy crock-pot chicken was just about done! I made some brown rice and heated up some green beans and I supper was ready in a flash! I can’t remember where I got the recipe, but it’s really good, easy, & simple. Here is my plate:<strong> 2/3 c rice</strong>, a serving of <strong>cheesy crock-pot chicken</strong>, and some <strong>green beans</strong> for <strong>8 points</strong>. I’m estimating high because of the extra sauce…once again, just to be safe!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjk4QzLWKc-lM_KcU5N-9HzDUAciQXjBj-Zq9_QF2XP-zL9DN0u2pYNtwvTnq8KiemMkfdN2CV6_l0PaIOzBZLOfa_tBY2IgJLKwR-01s6jY3kNlUJvzo2rrUZ7muzquPrhdAfhjpL399n/s1600-h/DSC05861%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05861" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1q9MreeujNnIBK_af4VdNAfuTUcRqcxNZX68pgGEF-nDZN-Zs6x76d1od5MvaFiuv2VbIF_oi8nh4eoNPIRULki1Y4FWgT-AcUY_b75foK794MpNLMuSy3OU-yZd3tI5YZ1rnEqLD3JA/?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="DSC05861" width="404" /></a><strong></strong></p> <p><b>Cheesy Crockpot Chicken (3 pts)</b></p> <p>2 pounds Chicken breasts without skin </p> <p>2 cans 98% fat free Cream of Chicken soup </p> <p>1 can condensed cheddar cheese soup </p> <p>1/4 teaspoon garlic powder</p> <p>Place chicken breasts in the crock-pot. Mix the undiluted soups together with the garlic powder and pour over chicken. Cover and cook on low 6 to 8 hours, until chicken is tender. Serve over rice or noodles (don't forget to add these POINTS). Makes 8 servings.</p> <p>Kyle and I are now settled in<strong> watching the Biggest Loser</strong>! Hope everyone has a great night. I think the storm is finally over, so I’m sure I’ll be back at work tomorrow! ;)</p> <p><strong>TUESDAY’S STATS</strong> <br />POINTS = 19/24 <br />WATER =  96 oz <br />EXERCISE = 30 min elliptical & 12 min run</p>

Yet another snow day!

Happy Tuesday everyone! It sure was a good one for me! I started out with just a 2 hour delay for work, so I got a few extra zzz’s!!! Then...

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Partial Snow Day!

<p>Hey everyone! I started out my Monday at the gym! It took me a while to get there though, I wanted to stay in my <strong>warm bed</strong>!! It snowed all night and the wind was<em> BLOWING</em> like crazy!! But<strong> I didn’t</strong> and got in <strong>30 minutes</strong> on the <strong>cross ramp</strong> and did <strong>abs </strong>as well.  </p> <p>Afterwards I had my <u>usual breakfast</u> of <strong>oatmeal</strong>, a<strong> small sliced banana</strong>, and <strong>PB2</strong> for <strong>4 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpouRX2Zx6MWJhHI_28JPXdjHdE99siYCjAPw7etG5QpwnKANtpuZ8M5UYxhY0-BHUH4OEDM3ySUPWS2JPpEPjKaf3Qx6XspMmNqQQrccfpajhhC53m3MAGMLRwz-s4vFAhYgjwdXRO-i/s1600-h/DSC05847%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05847" border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohHP1cdlBTLa_id4StpVv9FOoxtbNUrFpgLtAL_KfLbTfs_iQ7u8jgseA1EYV6YvdrFfy1dzVUc_f0WnKTVq0cliF5XcUZc1CBLQf0pTU8Dc4IOqxQhQZbXhpDymHeEYmo-qhbDMGduLv/?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="DSC05847" width="404" /></a></p> <p>It wasn’t long into the work day and we got the <strong>notification</strong> that we were going to <strong>close</strong> at <strong>11:30</strong> for the day because of the weather. I had mixed feelings about this. I had a <strong>HUGE</strong> project I need to get done, but I split it up between my staff and I think we finished around 11:32! ;) Mid morning I did <strong>snack</strong> on a serving of <strong>grapes</strong> for <strong>1 point</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilL6na4tAbfb_FYJrXR0GGqiXPK5wQKrssRfbjWIdRkrUVVBbqNJMy5HWDBO-fICWSMvEtwmdwvxhVcaIJwDcOFOO1CLUH3UN8OXz2nFe3MWkj5VQoU0BiXyq9mkppbQQ8SRcakoAn2wVK/s1600-h/DSC05848%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05848" border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvi1bJKxhQ34Bd9UYMgNy6HIC3N_UgLnKIHafn9PGReluXUy55aHK_qYrrDv2GU4laYYp9S2R7Vtlc9zTt0qKIuwEPv0zRwoTvvC6JmAcjqgWBLpy4Y-bp0Zi_PXKwrmOnuV46zy4KApZE/?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="DSC05848" width="404" /></a></p> <p>After work I headed <em><strong>back to the gym</strong></em>! Yep you read that right, I got in <strong>2 workouts</strong>!! I walked on the <strong>treadmill</strong> for<strong> 45 minutes</strong> at an incline! My legs were feeling it, for sure!</p> <p>I headed home to find something to eat! I pulled in my driveway and there was a <strong>3-4 foot drift</strong> in front of my garage! Luckily it was light snow that had just blown there so I could <strong>plow through it</strong> with my SUV! </p> <p>Lunch today was a random mix of food. I was in the mood to empty containers in my fridge! I started out with 1/2 c cottage cheese and pineapple for 3 points. Then I had the last little bit of <strong>chicken parmesan</strong> <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/01/finally-friday.html">from last week</a> for <strong>3 points</strong>. While my <strong>sweet potato fries</strong> were baking I couldn’t resist a <strong>chocolate chip cookie</strong> from <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/01/finally-friday.html">Sunday</a>! I’m estimating my cookie was <strong>3 points</strong> (i have NO clue) and then my <strong>fries</strong> were <strong>3 points</strong> as well. So my lunch totaled 12 points, which I think is a high estimate, but I would rather go high than low! Oh and from all that I emptied 3 containers in my fridge! :)<img alt="DSC05849" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVR7ThrC37wiMS1wyy7D_PBnPAvYLdrdxzc6Sn3lirfWPEs6LdE59wtFb84ugwJ-fJQMMADy-Gx8e6Z-fuOGkAjXA9cMuAdmkF9772x8xCUZHwA271Td7IrvtN4iVjxI244txUMYEvNKe/?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="DSC05849" width="404" /><img alt="DSC05850" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2FM12m-vLxTzi3NTd1cObErEuvPd6bfWuGPqvV1m7Q1kyL0ElsAP6i7IQO04i1QOvG-mimzAWSQgvZCDouLSRfIk3PFaQgpFuvywqQXgtRcnZKW7o4BefoX7T81vx-4mDbK7EjTEliuXa/?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="DSC05850" width="404" /><img alt="DSC05851" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAfUYKqybozC2PzLvkAvX5jx0lWt0_mmrvyFo7u1iK_5pxKBb4vC2mTCwyBnO7Jk0K_r8dIp3exEOgxp4vJ3HCAzgZvE8b4xfgddhpDdP-6QZZB7wkghCU31O3xo1qWlPeWeHhOuRnAL5N/?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="DSC05851" width="404" /><img alt="DSC05852" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2N0Oq-TVimDfZinHfTGc7BpJVeMdnp2anMh7qVUtU7Gr_qPFZA4kG-GBPeaRGKDKc41hSZlQgjFI7srlU7DNbTz2-1UYRh7g5CCeqh7m2kOLOFM5ta4hV3R0C24qk5ydTzgA6USoYGezO/?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="DSC05852" width="404" /></p> <p>After lunch I headed out into the <strong>blizzard</strong> to get our <strong>driveway cleared</strong> so Kyle wouldn’t have to worry about it when he got home. Luckily my<strong> nice neighbor</strong> had already started and I just <strong>scooped</strong> the steps and other places the snow blower can’t get to. I’m not too good with the snow blower…let alone getting it started! So hey, if you think about it I kinda got in <strong>3 workouts</strong> including my shoveling!</p> <p>When I got done shoveling I came in to my<strong> nice warm</strong>, <strong>wind free</strong> house and started supper! My sister had called and said they <strong>didn’t want risk driving</strong> home tonight and asked if they could stay! So her and her hubby and one of the girls she works with (a friend of both of ours) all came after work to stay with us. They all live 25-35 miles outside of town, which is where the worst of the blowing snow was. </p> <p>I made <strong>chicken ‘n cheese casserole</strong> for supper! It is super easy and something you can make ahead and just throw in the oven. And I think everyone liked it! For my supper I had a serving of the <strong>casserole</strong>, <strong>green beans</strong>, and a <strong>few orange slices</strong> for a delicious, filling <strong>7 point</strong> supper!<img alt="DSC05853" border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjRZFfEnLlIw2EdZnufOY-lKvvzTNnELN-nWVSk9qsLYNSaHNotQa6vvis_LvPUh8FlgHjjBb9qM4C7wcfOCwraFgwuXF4TUEQkRuhbjA05-Io1-iwKL2D7UeICI-wcLX1_OILYlVh4WW/?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="DSC05853" width="244" /><img alt="DSC05855" border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6fqjK6x9ndpDCfgGS-84NKwXnl7GGdtvCujT_0bD5hQ1AUb1O2AA7P07LfBfS7bpAgDhN-5tbglGqos8ir-eZQj9EUqnEsIlZyP1ovLo_PZDQqHprabMt6UNbbH1UuwLeeQqavIucI6k/?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="DSC05855" width="244" /><img alt="DSC05854" border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJF1EiglUbe_916myFBblt6W3vQCGB9u8r3orEwIMlZ7acHcdhWlYroa4TYGTtsTP1Gs2Yftvc6s7kESTK2zPYgg7NoXV1lECKa2_UwC2m1JEQTA0TNlpYSzlWCIduHI4Rl-PMcBf4sM3v/?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="DSC05854" width="244" /></p> <p align="center"><strong><u>Chicken N Cheese Casserole</u></strong></p> <p><b>What You Need!</b> </p> <p>2 cups cooked pasta </p> <p>2 cups cooked boneless skinless chicken breasts </p> <p>2 cups condensed cream of mushroom soup </p> <p>2 cups milk </p> <p>8 oz low fat cheddar</p> <p><b>Make It!</b> </p> <p><b>PREHEAT </b>oven to 350 degrees. </p> <p><b>COMBINE </b>all ingredients, mixing well. </p> <p><b>BAKE </b>covered 35-45 minutes. Remove cover; Bake 10-15 minutes longer. </p> <p>Makes 8 servings. 6 points/serving</p> <p>My sister’s work friend hadn’t seen<u> The Hangover</u> yet, so we all agreed we could <strong>definitely</strong> watch it again! For some of us, it was the<strong> 3rd</strong> or <strong>4th</strong> time! And it was just as funny as the first! :) And our friend liked it too!! They popped popcorn and had M&M’s and instead of that I made a<strong> point friendly ice cream sundae</strong> for <strong>3 points</strong>. Just like the <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/01/finally-friday.html">Friday one</a>!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTl3dA2y5F5eSBwobHofPNKzBMdjR-qxN9k9c7E2scsmC5CQwcbmlWITpAe_eGNm4kV0Fk_rILZrFg0ONBLNye859EQ2p9AvzkDCCB6NRraA6ZGu1iEVD-Bc8X-kpZjH8bd052hZg0Q5L/s1600-h/DSC05856%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05856" border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFXpz-7hfVvDYHxJLwV1oLBLV_HK-9WRUdVgfTm-M_UCnUXaJReruhVlCLMyIVi7Y1EPA-aq0i8HCism7RFhkEsf7MuHzy0gk9wj_5xsFp7vquyHVsy2ZtB-qySE6OdwnjMeXPfr-C16X/?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="DSC05856" width="404" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>I fell asleep during the last 15 minutes of the movie and was gone for the night! I think I stayed up too late Sunday night and then getting up for the gym! Felt like a bad host, but Kyle took over! :)</p> <p><strong>MONDAY’S STATS</strong> <br />POINTS = 28/24 <br />WATER =  140 oz <br />EXERCISE = 30 min cross ramp, abs, & 45 min walk @ incline</p>

Partial Snow Day!

Hey everyone! I started out my Monday at the gym! It took me a while to get there though, I wanted to stay in my warm bed !! It snowed all n...

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Hiring Managers Speak Out: 9 Things That Seal the Deal

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/09/ar5b0zk6pf9nptlpl709.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/09/ar5b0zk6pf9nptlpl709.gif" /></a><br /></div>One thing about the hiring process is true: it leaves much room for speculation. Whether you got the job -- or you didn't -- most job seekers want to know why. Why were you chosen over the next guy? Or, better yet, why weren't you? Was it your experience, your attitude, your interview answers, your outfit?<br /><br />While you can speculate for days about all the different things that may or may not have gone your way, we decided to ask hiring managers directly: What seals the deal when you choose to hire a candidate? Why do you choose one person over another? All of their answers will give you some insight as to what you should pay attention to the next time you're up for a job.<br /><br />Here's what hiring managers had to say about what qualities they like to see:<br /><br />Initiative<br />"One of the big things for me is [following] up. If I'm on the fence about a candidate but they take the time to e-mail me and thank me for having them come in, it shows me that they are motivated, tactful and professional. On the other side of the coin, if I interview someone and they are using lots of banal business speak and don't give me any impression of what their personality is like, I will usually pass. I hate when I ask a candidate what their favorite thing to work on is and they say 'everything' -- it leaves me with the impression that they either have no personality or won't speak their mind." -- Keith Baumwald, interactive marketing analyst, Shoplet.com<br /><br />Preparation<br />"I know I have a good candidate for hire when they come in prepared with as many questions about the job and company as I have for the candidate -- especially when their questions go beyond just the pay rate and benefits. By showing interest in learning more about what the job opportunity actually involves, it shows that the candidate is just as concerned about this job being the right fit for them as I am." -- Angie Nelson, marketing coordinator, Les Bois, Federal Credit Union<br /><br />Honesty<br />"A quick deal-killer for me is people who are trying to answer questions the way they think I want them answered. Honesty in the interview is refreshing. I appreciate applicants who tell the truth without trying to sugarcoat things. I am not as concerned with bad things that have happened in their past as much as how they dealt with those issues. That shows their true character." -- Phil Wrzesinski, owner, Toy House and Baby Too<br /><br />Confidence<br />"Confidence is important, but there is a fine line between that and arrogance. I once had a candidate state numerous times he was the one and that no way anyone else could be better. This is not only arrogant, but demonstrates ignorance on the part of the candidate. One does not always know who they are competing with or all of their qualifications." -- Thomasina Tafur, president, Thomasina Tafur Consulting<br /><br />Values<br />"When interviewing candidates to join our firm, two things can be deal breakers: attitude and core values. You can't teach attitude, but you can teach skill. A positive attitude, strong work ethic and strong values should trump more experience and skill. I also make sure the candidate demonstrates our company's core values. I ask them to tell me their 'story' of their professional journey. Through their story, I get a better understanding of the decisions they made and the values they have (or don't have)." -- Michelle Roccia, senior vice president of corporate organizational development, Winter, Wyman<br /><br />Desire<br />"When a candidate is displaying a true desire to come work for your company, they are often the one you want to hire once you are looking at the finalist pool. The fastest way to end up with a short interview and ruling yourself out from being considered is to arrive to an interview to only lack energy, give short answers and show no excitement to be there." -- James Thompson, vice president of business development, JMJ Phillip<br /><br />Passion<br />"When I hire, I hire for 'right fit,' which doesn't necessarily have anything to do with experience or training. A 'right fit' candidate is someone who is aligned philosophically with the company, has a passion for the products or industry, and believes that the kind of work that they do is their mission, not just their livelihood. For example, when I was staffing a green business in Orange County, Calif., I didn't hire the people with the longest résumés and the most degrees, I hired the people who were passionate about the 'green' cause and had demonstrated that in some way in their personal life. What we ended up with were employees who were willing to do whatever it took to make the enterprise successful because they were driven by an inner belief, not by a paycheck. They were engaged at an extremely high level from the first day they walked in the door. I hire for passion, and then train for skills, if necessary." --Barbara Farfan, management and retail consultant, Authentic Communications<br /><br />"When having difficulty narrowing down a short list of qualified candidates based on their experience, skills, upward potential and education, I tend to put significant weight on the candidate's passion for what we do as a company and how we do it. If the employee can show evidence that they genuinely align with our company values, purpose and mission, the likelihood of success increases tremendously in my opinion." -- Matt Arrigale, vice president, human resources, Schott North America<br /><br />Creativity<br />"During the interview process we tend to ask oddball questions and gauge [a candidate's] reaction and the actual answers they give. This will give us an idea as how they will fit with our company and everyone else who works with us. For the upcoming semester we chose one intern over the others solely based on her answer to 'If you were a candy bar, what kind would you be?' She sat for about three seconds but didn't think we were crazy for asking it. She smiled and said 'I'd be a Caramello because they're awesome and hard to find, but when you find them you get a happy feeling inside.'" -- AmyLynn Keimach, Border7 Studios<br /><br />By Rachel Zupek writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ.<br /><br /><a class="addthis_button" href="http://addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=rockfordlink"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" height="16" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" width="125" /></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=rockfordlink" type="text/javascript"></script>

Hiring Managers Speak Out: 9 Things That Seal the Deal

One thing about the hiring process is true: it leaves much room for speculation. Whether you got the job -- or you didn't -- most job se...

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A funny thing happened on my way to writing this post

<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I've been taking a break from my blog, stepping back and trying to figure out what is wrong with me.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As I do with most things in my life, I was over-analyzing my binging problem. To the point where I was becoming obsessed by it.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I was posting the same thing every day. I binged, I didn't binge, I wanted to binge, I need to stop binging, I don't know how to stop binging, what is wrong with me?! Over and over I repeated the same words. If I didn't actually post them, they were running through my head.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Then I'd talk a good talk: "I can do this!" "I'm going to do this!" "This will work!"</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When truthfully, I'd fallen and couldn't get up. None of my grand schemes worked on me. The more I worried about it, the worse it became. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I had all sorts of theories about the reasons for my binging: my husband doesn't love me enough, my father died when I was 12, I was spoiled by my mother to make up for not having a father, I was use to getting what I wanted, my job is stressful. Or my personal favorite, I have some sort of mental disease, and I'm addicted to food.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I've been mucking about for the last few days, trying to figure out my problem, when this post by a very courageous lady named Velda popped up:</span><br /><br /><a href="http://theclimbandsometimesthefall.blogspot.com/" target="blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The Climb and Sometimes the Fall, My story of lung cancer that's gone to my head.</span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I read Velda's post, along with the last few posts that I'd missed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Then I thought to myself, what the hell am I complaining about? Honest to God, I don't know anymore. </span>

A funny thing happened on my way to writing this post

I've been taking a break from my blog, stepping back and trying to figure out what is wrong with me. As I do with most things in my life...

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Zydeco Snow

Before my first National Cowboy Poets’ Gathering, I assumed it would be nothing but white guys emulating Baxter Black – which is not bad. But the folks in Elko who put this event together are intentionally cosmopolitan. The first event I ever attended was a concert of Mexican corridos performed by artists from our neighbor to the south. My next event was a concert by the Cowboy Poets of Kyrgystan. Amazing Asian folk traditions expanded my horizons.<br /><br />This year’s guests were from the Southeastern United States. That made sense. The Southeast has produced cowboy legends like the immortal Florida wrangler Bone Mizell. So my mind was open to the two Florida cowboy poets who opened tonight’s show, Swamp Tunes. The mediocrity of their verse was punctuated by base insulting rudeness and on one occasion an “inartful” racial slur. The dignity of Elko was saved only by my having failed to bring fruit to the event.<br /><br />However, they were only the openers. The main act was a 5-man Black zydeco band from South Louisiana. Washboard and drum rhythms drove the accordion melody. The artists were more than talented. They were inspired and inspiring. Cajun music, kin to country, has its own charm, but this was zydeco -- a celebratory cousin to blues. The music was so aesthetically compelling I was lost in it. A truly spiritual experience. Someday we must have a zydeco mass.<br /><br />When I stepped outside the Folklife Center, the music still pulsing in my body, snow was falling from a sky my poet friend Lyn Lifshin would call “onyx.” Life is good despite Florida poets.

Zydeco Snow

Before my first National Cowboy Poets’ Gathering, I assumed it would be nothing but white guys emulating Baxter Black – which is not bad. Bu...

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Sunday Post

<p>Like my creative title? ;) Couldn’t come up with anything at almost midnight!</p> <p>I started my Sunday out with an <strong>apple</strong> and a <strong>fiber one bar</strong> on the way to church for <strong>3 points</strong>. I knew we wouldn’t eat anything until 11am or later and I didn’t wan to be <u><em>s-t-a-r-v-i-n-g</em></u> and gorge on anything in sight. And it definitely helped!<img alt="DSC05831" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCDdNVj2yI3c08ZDN6hNgp9H35dEr0WK1B0cN7ZLbA1L6OkLIF32918_3M07DbWMi_gx_jI4E3b6SnFMSfbvBU-Muw7dPvkc2juS1Y47ipX68aRmfdNqkCtCJesMmSHOffb9AlJPVp7wW/?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="DSC05831" width="404" /><img alt="DSC05832" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbclgPN54271O-S7J1Rl5p7fhNm6hU8Hruv6wKA9840blRNrUJMYofrfqMOTNc4aOwc5-C7x-ieU62TtG6utYNwIhRwkWJs-yByfo3qESJz6E0sZAL0Qvshyphenhyphen5nS1RoVPkfMLIcAl0OCLOX/?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="DSC05832" width="404" /></p> <p>Church was great this morning! Afterwards we had our weekly dinner with Kyle’s parents. There is a Chinese buffet in town that has breakfast until 11am and if you get there before 10:30am it’s only $5.69/person! Not bad! I loaded my first plate with <u>FRUIT</u>! I had <strong>pineapple</strong>, <strong>bananas</strong>, <strong>cantaloupe</strong>, <strong>oranges</strong>, and a few pieces of <strong>jello</strong> for just <strong>5 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogRfZb7vfyJLJ_0jGLCBXW_hSDg_hjzAPv1kCp_kQ8OBI74q0VC2U3V9-pDKBDCwBklurfLPHDjdaETvus1VUFyRLLO5ekC4VMMQLcx9Vm7FCudJCC7YC-vir7V5_Rg-VF0DoyQ7Eeriq/s1600-h/DSC05833%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05833" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKw17aJhcdGrAiinNO_xhNLByI1SJtTew6ywVcfMeb8WruCjuTQPFr_qb2H-TfcUpAH0KGxVBlvFlxL-GT7yXGsDMMJV3Ua68KIZUTe1ElWAmX-ObuTmH-KbiJ1d5Hjsy4bQ2KEnoyvSxw/?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="DSC05833" width="404" /></a></p> <p>My 2nd plate was <u>veggie-ful</u> with a<u> little leg</u> on the side! ;) I had some <strong>corn</strong>, <strong>cucumbers</strong>, <strong>broccoli</strong>, and a <strong>chicken leg</strong> (<u>minus the skin</u>) for <strong>5 points</strong>. I’m estimated high: 3 for the chicken leg, 1 for corn, and 1 for the ranch. I really don’t think it was 1 point’s worth of ranch, but would rather go high, than low!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYQlI3SSUtTZbrSyaY5042q2cel9x3a2KF9R7Bsgj5ELPE2PGkzO01XQZIojJTs_WzCD0CsXd89PMfjbp3vK_NfBQyy2IMGeo-tdQIdcNrz5qiJGCtDdyOfvNewJfXkA28hui8RLDTOhl/s1600-h/DSC05834%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05834" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimdQ0ys4nzl9HGSPioTfkbZ4lQ-r2paCN5C9dGVSN7SUsOV22XdAA7rHXSjKjL8ifWNjf1mlLtUcvZj26woiJnrqWxUdd0cJjyKjXFV9A4BVbjlwr6EbsNF7m7uAradFmg1WwBWGs7C3xD/?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="DSC05834" width="404" /></a></p> <p>And I finished my meal off with a <strong>little ice cream cone</strong> for <strong>3 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmbFcaX14Us-uJHUIyZW8vcPz7cCzG77go-HccpBYA95vko2dOB2ivrdyCeM0L8fB108FBt7xTNoboKaJcS8ucjnTEVg_w9fK9GE-S0OHZMVsaWQgdNs9AFkB_FMVkk5k3QmprYjT_zf3/s1600-h/DSC05835%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05835" border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWyxgKVjP5AOjZpTHmbVkNZTaSJkqmKlK0jY3JusrMrC4i0cNRn2ofC0SrRJGvhkyhu2z9hx-cACgRadXc2ekrlThHkB5i0MD6LmXAZ7EFvUjVfUvhAzZQmwGu_lmRYuJJFC6I4J4ZVYIY/?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="DSC05835" width="328" /></a></p> <p>After brunch Kyle and I made our weekly grocery run and headed home for a nap! When I woke up I hit the kitchen and started baking! I whipped up a <strong>double batch of chocolate chip cookies</strong>! Our neighbor works for MidAmerican and has been working <strong>16 hour days</strong> since the ice storm hit in on <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/01/snow-day.html">Wednesday</a>. He said yesterday it doesn’t look like it will end until next Friday! <strong>Wow</strong>! So we wanted to give him and his buddies a little treat! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUsuibgR9Zm5rZg6hugFUf6MCK4ienO7G4013h1Ty0uWw0ugky71Qk5HZ1oyK6qotCi3mrKQ3lEh8XUxU4llzr1JL3qxV2H7r8Laq67Cv314HxdB_hev9tcOveJB9fH32DEcQFvLOZC6K/s1600-h/DSC05837%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05837" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXCn47aJKm6SjzLbKZv73hHAC4-6hwJlw_jvBFDyRGyJEKNI8r7gd6WDNWIN6dw8_K7I2w5IAV47928_8sgn_BoBjJmcIsc9rXrjZMWanV7vo4mjH8M7489yGtupiKakBM9czv7U8lKzI/?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="DSC05837" width="404" /></a></p> <p>And if you are a<u> living, breathing human</u> there is <strong>NO WAY</strong> you can resist a <strong>few bites of cookie dough</strong> while baking! So of course I had some… and a <strong>warm cookie fresh out of the oven</strong>! I’m going to count my <strong>splurge</strong> as<strong> 7 points</strong>! I think if I would have figured that out before I ate it, <em><u>I wouldn’t have</u></em>. But it was still good!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-Zab1T_UJffZPx4tGDQ-qMbQiOA5LzqFQK1DsAM9Ir-Tz-IBaxMqkOgr5XGs2eYRT4yC-3Et7B4RNp26UY3DQr4ujuyvPUmHH_Kri_bFc3pBgnYDDGqEAIWBYEdtYb9x0RBhYHFthWYb/s1600-h/DSC05836%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05836" border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBuM87anG2xuIOY224xkzVfMRH6D741wLI9nfgBihBWgwBhxbd8cUC9cZgcjr73D8sEU9tSoHpofE9-coT0wG-Qf1d33i7597ZLNMfOD4Y0zmbnkryD9Dlb0EKDcsZG9JFJhdKCakpuftB/?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="DSC05836" width="404" /></a></p> <p>After my <strong>bake-fest</strong> I hit the gym! I got in <strong>36 minutes</strong> on the <strong>cross ramp</strong>, burning over <u>400 calories</u>!<em> (Maybe that will even out that cookie dough I ate earlier!)</em> ;) I realized it was ten till 6 and rushed home! I didn’t want to miss the <strong>Viking game</strong>! But don’t worry I was supporting my team while working out! This is me…post work out! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsPioyP2iGvFome97NYPRsrBsUG1qN6aY6rkmbuhLAakkh1ggJn-OrYdncveysKbzn9-opUKNpMnNa7PsK2C3j5G_A2WrwwKPi7tiBwhvQDlrYIowNeo3B0WdOFL615hRf3beQvoJFEiL/s1600-h/DSC05840%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05840" border="0" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsvFNH9ntgarOOUd2D7r136YWl4XNvAsUlfRrEgzB4BJUDbk7Ju4CC5KSFkA48Z9xYKwTtnYA5aLbClFQ8w8-7DOf1y9FodAms1l5cqCfppN_8sZOncJVeBwQXMgKnDQAAiRnd7q3P8BvJ/?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="DSC05840" width="254" /></a>For supper tonight I tried something <strong>new</strong>,<strong> bbq chicken pizza</strong>! I sautéed some <strong>green peppers</strong> and<strong> red onions</strong> in a teaspoon of <strong>olive oil</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UahCTKe9T7Vh-Jt9lOpHK2_UB89KLALjxSS3ySHBWcoSHn_A5MIyZObCmrs5MnmdGEmia1YETXJOtefLhQMG0eH0rgpkZ7kf3TR_4pCcvj9H1YQGrDnvOLNpuo6yVn5wKehdk6H0JUBd/s1600-h/DSC05841%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05841" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikPB7E290I2b9lgyrH9K0rp0Mbfy0XIBbXomb3YoWnMgv1VbnXfZn8Kml81gAMjFcJkVd3thDDjmPxKvsxri_s21o4sTKeSCgApaowRPbPnPfpOwMR2wHQBoOWMARl8tVnfFhiswQfE2-w/?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="DSC05841" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Then I <strong>shredded</strong> a<strong> cooked chicken breast</strong> and mixed it with a tablespoon of <strong>bbq</strong>. I used a <strong>flat out</strong> for my <strong>crust</strong>,  and <strong>2 TBS</strong> of <strong>bbq </strong>for the <strong>sauce</strong>. Then I topped it with the <strong>chicken mixture</strong>, <strong>sautéed veggies</strong>, and <strong>1/4c 2% shredded mozzarella</strong> for a total of <strong>8 points</strong>. MMmmmm!!!</p> <p align="center">Pre-bake:<img alt="DSC05842" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyy8UcRGsqngw9agTth1LUT3HbdMm2ll0GpZ7nf-pBuEGRG5J4hq2bnpPEXp_ttIm10raUgRwJJvdRhUDPQdHnzV666GrJpTP65WI7HEwfYBL8tN8mXdaZjnhlGf0Rm-n0pJBNwoKONn7H/?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="DSC05842" width="404" /></p> <p align="center">Post-bake:<img alt="DSC05843" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtkPWDHF4AgRwT8TdGmOuDKHT5QxeQ1_Lr_fKwr8kPgt-LFzTVdcibIF0c0AI70TJAzmXXokSfRFzw53IQSZsMR-JcRuKQuv5wKK2j5Yaz8vjKbdskEniHfaC_Xib9C0ZX91PjA5-4QG6/?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="DSC05843" width="404" /></p> <p>And the stinkin’ Vikings couldn’t pull out a win. It’s a sad day around our house. I guess we’ll be cheering for the Colts in the Super Bowl now!</p> <p><strong><em>Do you eat cookie dough or are you the <u>toughest human being on earth</u> and can resist it?!?!</em></strong></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><strong>SUNDAYS STATS</strong> <br />POINTS = 31/24 <br />WATER =  74 oz <br />EXERCISE = 36 min cross ramp</p>

Sunday Post

Like my creative title? ;) Couldn’t come up with anything at almost midnight! I started my Sunday out with an apple and a fiber one bar ...

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Productive Saturday

<p>Happy weekend everyone! I started mine out nice & early! Kyle works every Saturday and I usually get up when he does around 6am to get a jump start on my day! Today this is what I had on list of to-do’s:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh1GCZM4Eg0V2ij0MJpt1abncwLqYOdrkjsfDIFyrVKGz1Y7BFDsTUd63Awx9eihitjBRUzNEoJUkQPKS0BaMwroSmqPiK2tw7r4GHAM0Lx-zk2VLGMwfQhOW6OzMP_wtOOT976jGilfXg/s1600-h/image24.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7SovGduPFUAstr35bHgtGO8viyqWourwJpB1zPxLFWpRHBIKZs9IgGsDVZ0Wxd0DftKzgMxeFupGIyVIq5aQa3ifWxiwDCxiM2DGeSojYnhoGCan7wOrNCJxfdZtHoR4u0ufROlUdNna/?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="333" /></a> </p> <p>I got right to work on the first few things on my list! Balanced our checkbook, started our tax return, and made a new header for my blog! Btw, <u>what do you think of the new look?</u> While I was <strong>busy</strong> on the <strong>computer</strong> this was what Abby was doing! Yep, it’s <strong>raining</strong> here! I guess it could get bad later because it’s supposed to <strong>drop below freezing</strong>. I’ve even heard some thunder, weird for Iowa in January! But for now Abby has been watching the rain come down! Can ya tell she needs a haircut?!?!?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqrr8m-Kf15su3UiczQ7uTswedlPHKGdFtK38qA-fM-Hik1uI3odW3wiehpsprqkautwYDXh6bIN9qjNcYBsCZkO4K2AQSEKF3xdbhY8fRcLEHcGHl8NvqRwVD0hFi_a_mE3Z6lxaio-q/s1600-h/DSC058104.jpg"><img alt="DSC05810" border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUdwXjgdGsvXmhIA7xXFEtnzzCnHT0xiHy2Ay2kOl72_PpgHk9LSd0Yf3EpbrNgUdAidkny30URpGu4PxyAjVVsHGKfWEmEgbLbLvvnv2ufCvZSyhT4sHM01msVjv5Jx4jQRZ-Ihb7zMz/?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="DSC05810" width="404" /></a>  </p> <p>Mid-morning I made my <em>favorite weekend breakfast</em>, <strong>banana pancakes</strong> with <strong>chocolate PB2</strong>, and <strong>1/4 c sf syrup</strong> for <strong>6 points.</strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIA29PldI_VeHDMEgnYcw2NV_Pial4Sqp4P4kXkb2MBZh1ghyPjjk9cWqNn8wuS6pDymksD9h9pZo2GnPMpLt3Yk5iZdNqb1DZJMmDibSRYmwlUSDLdm7d0Ib_0xlX0I1jF6OFdJC930p/s1600-h/DSC05812%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05812" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw80WhEPQ2YdJna8L2epuKQ-vy-JwEIaN3fBEdNdGzOC1YF7vSRxAFAIrBMldQsyrKOPbRP_OmLd-6wlGQEZAnCeinaqAv7tqBoa_ajsvq4ppimLWHHrTK7jmFN8YmUDkDnV99vgsfogfd/?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="DSC05812" width="404" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>After breakfast I cleaned a little and then I got to work on <strong>something new</strong>! Kyle and I do the same thing every night, “what do you want for supper?” “I don’t know, what do you want?” So instead of doing that all the time I made up a<strong> menu planner</strong> so we knew what is for supper each night. And it also has a shopping list. I found meals for each night of the work week and made a grocery list from those recipes. I’m going to print it and keep it on the fridge. I’m excited to see how it works this week!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZquzQ6WArd0AhH2j5_ZPa-Th_bPLWkXhzJGNg2rfPkHU7yjsRK6cVFQDokuNe-ODZ0Wr6APjMu7wVYKrw-aNhN3eemsWM1xhFujzXiG3oTR21wLTNxovpYbgz1S_CCijz0bfwdA2TZqJd/s1600-h/DSC05826%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05826" border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLp0ujopjhcDby0Ua0tvhKvkm4GVX543xfByoDVI3jugRv9XLMnpM1Gf9MiprxErwiS9nA5s7m8zKnPxAACzcHZ8p7bzbxZoqcVrXfasgmNhpYU9A8THAQS6Wahy6U5BsqIhBfIf9Ucj7I/?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="DSC05826" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Around 2pm I snacked on an <strong>orange</strong> for <strong>1 point</strong>. I knew Kyle got off at 3pm and we were going to <strong>hit the gym</strong> right away so I knew my pancakes weren’t going to hold me over all throughout my workout!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_10AjMcJfogz9zOz1qcUnzeqAqQUu9PvR5QxVdUNuAaG1BSuX-HIyGyrcjj7nkQQAeE-o8iZDXApxO6BTh9C_3FbwTznl7XyxvCLMBurQ5r5bnRB2Z0rFFzWSvHCge7zkEKLX0IXIiuC/s1600-h/DSC05827%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05827" border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTudUAvAocJyvZVchwF4ySELh5s5bWOhAz4vO1uSxckQLNoUhLMX9EFFhnmDwABVLPDJFhif0F-wj3rs_ihOOFQJ2eBmMyLNqoDjL4W1g_Kng7wVihkjuYhPG_u0TQA8Jj_7-hD8vzj3Uj/?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="DSC05827" width="404" /></a>  <br />When Kyle got off we went right to the gym. And I am happy to say that I ran a<strong> 5K</strong> in <strong>31:40</strong>! So only 40 seconds from my <strong>Feb 1st goal</strong> of running it in 31 minutes or less! Total I did <strong>38 minutes</strong> on the <strong>treadmill</strong>, then <strong>17 minutes</strong> on the <strong>elliptical</strong>, and finished with a <strong>few sets of abs</strong>! Great workout and it was <strong>SO</strong> great to have Kyle by my side too! He hadn’t been to the gym with me in about 2 weeks or so because of a nasty cold. So it was good to have him back!</p> <p>When we got home we each had an <strong>orange</strong> for another <strong>1 point</strong> snack! While getting supper ready I also had a<strong> fiber one bar</strong> and a piece of <strong>string cheese</strong> for <strong>3 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLDvM5MOoVWfyatyURWnmIfDmL0yyGW7NNSLb45xIIhDlGWU5a9IWtzzrgi1rGk-cmnW9DXUnE8GjiEStuEa6jDgJloxHjj8MQ98jgm4vm3J9sNEAFEOfYqsE2kNfDsoREVOR0g1-dvvV/s1600-h/DSC05828%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05828" border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ap8UlVwMPdHrM9F8sTJB-iQqSu5fNtt-t1Evi7ywjrKCB_-jr5ZsMjyew08-oHcmPmQJEUSf4Nihkc-g1xHM0nBLeC6J5lsWLnu8qiAmsnNoqjXP6vEBVb3w1mtJn0AZRj4bk8fEI13V/?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="DSC05828" width="404" /></a> </p> <p>I baked some chicken breasts and we used those to make <strong>bacon chicken ranch wraps</strong> for supper! Mine contained<strong> 3 oz</strong> of <strong>chicken</strong>, <strong>1 TBS of lite ranch</strong>, a <strong>flat out</strong>, <strong>1/4 c ff shredded cheddar</strong>, and a <strong>sprinkle</strong> of <strong>bacon bits</strong> for a total of <strong>6 points</strong> (estimating high)! <u>So delicious</u>!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOhmevmE-ZA2Pb3-rkR-K864e_KJ9CH_hO0r7Bl3GQCSszleNR_HvJ7c-gEN2rouzYH4KgQ07YLXRxyIWebrqRAmgy1BwR42tkXIs-7unXkAvrFIkKF0lQ0HhrRCLdHSVgfR_efvEV0py/s1600-h/DSC05829%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05829" border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxsKJZGX1IGAzmSyNLSr33Ju1F3aPOzE3MQ5P1Pq-bst5F505jbmj3okXWfvBoE99-bMTz-Bq6I8GRBcizQe_LcQ7yXoDjrLCOkBGRd8lxBCrZZpkqInlq3q24YXgkLIaKC6hKmU0K24CO/?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="DSC05829" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I also had a <strong>1/2 cup</strong> of <strong>corn</strong> on the side for<strong> 1 point</strong>. Wonderful supper<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9uGAb034hdFwhJeS_wxogD3czqmCikZ1PBeZOr12GO_85ykX-_m7Fxgjgm8QQ25byKem3pGn7aUCUkpV0895DphovjRA9olzKKHFpYKbGLWkfDPP0imtzA3Xb-tn7EPnYc_VyMHIBIryB/s1600-h/DSC05830%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05830" border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7eJZ2chml4r3c2_-D1pDUr8BUaMoudrRdrlTH2lJM7fUf6CKB2iHhPjgX2kbWmaS3J6_Z-MVfRgPPF5H9bkeFp59ww8wxp2mgL9Q2j8Ve16VOmHthD5Z5BypuFxIwUXe8V5734diqypni/?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="DSC05830" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Kyle and I were undecided on what to do for the evening. We thought about going to a movie, but decided just to chill at home and save some $$$! We have some big changes coming up and it’s a good time to $ave right now! Felt like an old married couple, we were in bed by 9pm! That’s ok though ‘cause we had to get up early for church!</p> <p>I also had a <strong>ice cream sundae</strong>, pretty much just like Friday night’s, but it had <strong>2 servings</strong> of <strong>ice cream</strong>, so it totaled <strong>5 points</strong> instead of 3! (no picture…sorry!)</p> <p>Oh and check out my to-do list! I<strong> crossed off</strong> a lot of things…not everything though! I even added a few things I need to get done this week, but hopefully I will get more checked off on Sunday! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-eVLCkM7sGKi3wLDUa5AxEV5l4Ft06SAHeHKmvmOA8DHM97QLlXqYxuXYiqjgv1ImZhTtBog4yLHOp7wfE6g4etVY199px-3TseNuV4M_L1VmmaTGYcUO8Ri51FAmXF7JF2JAjhlQlHd/s1600-h/image%5B4%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3o2c0tFqDvwEKpyVO2AYC_bJKokeT3u3qOBhivUB4Iq6fXeQYfivW8hvR-n0NEN3YkUAH_4FVuNIVpwhkZMTYTbN2X4mRChXkjeSXXGCKb8THX4MBRNoL_H0n7a8bFA8HwLJwbRMV5oVn/?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="334" /></a></p> <p>Hope everyone is enjoying your weekend! Can’t wait for the Viking game to come on…we’re hoping for a win! Later blog friends!</p> <p><strong><em>What do you think of the new look to my blog? </em></strong>I used a picture from my first race, the same logo I had before, and then took a few more pictures of things that have been important on my road to weight loss!!</p> <p><strong>SATURDAY’S STATS</strong> <br />POINTS = 23/24 <br />WATER =  120 oz <br />EXERCISE = 38 min run/walk, 17 min elliptical, & abs</p>

Productive Saturday

Happy weekend everyone! I started mine out nice & early! Kyle works every Saturday and I usually get up when he does around 6am to get a...

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Planning de la semaine du 25 au 29 janvier 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 25 janvier de 9h à 12h30<br />- le mardi 26 janvier de 9h à 12h30 et de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le mercredi 27 janvier de 13h30 à 17h<br />- le jeudi 28 janvier de 13h30 à 17h<br />- le vendredi 29 janvier 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><br />- vendredi 29 janvier de 09h à 12h30</li></ul><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Ateliers</span></strong><br /></h2><br /><ul><li><strong>CV</strong> - mardi 26 janvier de 9h à 12h30 et mercredi 27 janvier de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong>Lettre de Motivation</strong> - mardi 26 janvier de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong>Préparation à l'entretien</strong> - jeudi 28 janvier de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong>Pôle-emploi.fr</strong> - vendredi 29 janvier 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 22 janvier de 14h à 16h</ul><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Informations collectives</span></strong><br /></h2><br /><ul><li><strong>Boutique de gestion</strong> - lundi 25 janvier à 14h<br /><br /><li><strong>RSA - Conseil Général</strong> - mardi 26 janvier à 10h</ul>

Planning de la semaine du 25 au 29 janvier 2010

Permanences Le Conseil Général du Loiret sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans - le lundi 25 ja...

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Mystery & Redemption On The Road To Elko

Maybe it was the cloud of unknowing. My day long drive from Las Vegas to Wells was mostly uneventful -- skies variable, roads mostly clear. At Wells I turned west on I-80 shortly before sunset. The skies by then were partly cloudy, but mostly bright, enough blue to lift the spirits. Then I saw a cloud in front of me -- not in the sky but lying across the road -- a dark cloud mass come to earth.<br /><br />I drove into the cloud, then saw an orange circle of light straight ahead -- the sun "as through a glass darkly" -- bright but not at all too bright to look at directly. The sun shown into the cloud, which had been grey on the outside, but on the inside, the cloud was like orange smoke shifting.<br /><br />At first, it was not snowing in the cloud, but dry snow was blowing across the highway from south to north. This this was not a small cloud. I was in it for awhile. About halfway through, it began snowing, the flakes rushing toward my windshield as if they were flying parallel to the ground. It stopped. Then I drove out of the cloud and the day was bright again.<br /><br />We had a good clergy conference today at St. Paul's. One of the good people there treated me to a ticket to tonight's opening of the National Cowboy Poets' Gathering. I arrived early and was browsing in the bookstore of the Western Folklife Center when I had my moment of redemption. I was redeemed not from my moral failings but from the regrettable hat blunder I committed in Fernley last year. See blog entry for 8-23-09 "The Social Risk Of Hats In The American West."<br /><br />Dressed for Elko in jeans, a heavy long coat, and my Frontier Collection Renegade style cowboy had from J. M. Capriola's Western Wear, I was standing stock still, hands in coat pockets, focussed as I was on the covers of some chap books on a bottom shelf. That is when a nicely dressed lady mistook me for a manequin.<br /><br />Feeling grateful for the gift of the tickets and somewhat pleased with myself for having "passed," I especially enjoyed the show which featured Virginia City troubador, Richard Elloyan, and perhaps Nevada's premier cowboy poet (he at the least has the premier mustache), Waddie Mitchell.

Mystery & Redemption On The Road To Elko

Maybe it was the cloud of unknowing. My day long drive from Las Vegas to Wells was mostly uneventful -- skies variable, roads mostly clear. ...

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Sluggish Start to a Excellent End

<p>So this morning I wanted to hit the gym extra early so I could get to work early to get a few extra things done. So I thought I set my alarm for 5am (usually I get up at 5:40) but when I rolled over it was almost 6am! I didn’t set my alarm. :( So I got up and got lots done at my office before the work day began! </p> <p>I made my <strong>outstanding oatmeal</strong> (<strong>4 points</strong>), but this morning I used <strong>chocolate PB2</strong>! A little something special for Friday! ;)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUgTNhauCTrv4hAWbNiPL_GiFEX95rXoOrs2NmbqJc5LU9ps-l6zOnHVRvbr7pT7tQUpJCom-WZk4uHvSdyn4NnMPukZH-IDZl1neYg01SCKR0J3diDv9iR_-B9gnCjw7J_ShCvExZH6G/s1600-h/DSC05797%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05797" border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWg_DH-4SZQ7xPBqcxiCNHoWGhYDaPyvrdT8rumWHL0NsrKlFONEYiiZIs7PZR1HKN8nVqb9_zih656xjmnpbfHto9rJZFoQGNetwFOsNPoZgrlcI4DVOVP3ej2URQtXZi4Vws2jNln8d/?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="DSC05797" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I was <strong>SUPER</strong> <u>tired</u> and <u>groggy</u> all day! Which is quite ironic since I got some extra z’s last night! But I really think it was because I didn’t get my morning workout in! Since my morning was <em>d-r-a-g-g-i-n-g</em> on, I had my snack very early!  I use the other <strong>half</strong> of the sample box of<strong> Kashi cereal</strong> and mixed it with <strong>yogurt</strong> for <strong>3 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxgmsZrWEbfcLNOHqZU-bcVO5r6gWzzVUqL3sA8JCWrc7ytQq93KS6hQI6pfL5zGvluubGnXUDjKwFwyOXOAio2zxLHPWcUM6hVTPCmXRWNiW80jYq38zvugqO-eMZn5o02VxriQ6MlXg6/s1600-h/DSC05798%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05798" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPPnlzD-BubDNZD1Y15Xp9mAktyBRdQFkFGmWNic98pRwrPrfMIaRQiaTtCzoOAqOITxHKWjmcYDZUs3UEao04wb5RGWL4guHHN9eW5JQDAYKS-2FBIG0_neNXZqoSGm77r_plBJXCOaA/?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="DSC05798" width="404" /></a> </p> <p>I don’t think it helped my sluggish morning that I was working on a<strong> never ending</strong> report! So I had 2 snacks today, 2nd round was a <strong>cup</strong> of <strong>grapes</strong> for <strong>1 point</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvy1QMPPChrQ8Tr0Bv3IbIwKLuaao7jP3gC7cQo33yzMxKL5g77GD-HgBi8ITxQQw4gvoc21Q3Pw7qPq8QFj0_b9Pg8_Hpj46D2flDmuuSoQD-DOYu2cM0oh3oE_jvdvxIHoDUeE01YYR/s1600-h/DSC05799%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05799" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXETFxUYmq_5HpULI3hnb3thoPEliCejkh7CHVA5QbxmiUReU55hD38ldQ3Jy90x_DJZssKq0Rlb-ZcjhJu7T_TkhAt-NXLuKUUcz5_6l3CHOxaahND2cUc5BzYTJnhEPnU6K9rIEIROV/?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="DSC05799" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I went home for lunch hoping it would wake me up. I wasn’t really up for making anything so I took the easy way out and heated up a <strong>SmartOnes</strong> (<strong>5 points</strong>). I hadn’t tried this one before and probably <strong>won’t buy</strong> it again. It had fake little meat balls that were <strong>NOT</strong> good at all.  I also had some <strong>string cheese</strong> and a <strong>fiber one bar</strong> while my dinner was cooking…evidentially 3 minutes wasn’t fast enough for me today(<strong>3 points</strong>)! ;)<img alt="DSC05802" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtS347JReIQA884BFB7D7b0GaxBo9PkGyYD_mD2wmWe2V0SRqBvTj4_HeYYUXi_nHsD-NMn-AnaS6HFU6kDrmv2fvyp7nhg1wWyEATJlewA4BrPSYE8HEVe9Uhmm-BY6nC3P5TNMUIWESC/?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="DSC05802" width="404" /><img alt="DSC05803" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEowqcmVkA2OtsiIBpHJ5m_a2YjiPyoragXVG9pvETlNwQL6xC_cCXpMj_B9AyvC9NWferwez4XgDl24GQ-78CUIlNjKsxVVBxDTDbshD82KMDpeE3jdfFhi2d3je-qSWyAm29t5GsRfrs/?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="DSC05803" width="404" /></p> <p>One thing good about my lunch is that it was pretty late! So when I got back to work I had less than 2 hours of the work day left! I got through it with my favorite “<strong>pick me up</strong>”!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4xbvHxB4SCMMnFJHf5QueP6GUWGeqmffGOW3BcURwVFSeuXyYiRhoOGhIDEwucykTjm-6ohOVw3syHYk8zOjKOh5tQTnKiqX8NAmMKlNbfUkMoec4Sysy-5E5EWoOR6k-uajXMQH57eF/s1600-h/DSC05804%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05804" border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdCaoVa_BOKiB1TwurXw03GlMktUzAu_4XMHtWYfcjsbqQ1mpIQynl37YOzPWuTIIGMzJh6ARfNgBLZqjzIHM50dRP5Ek303VXTwzrp14vSZMWoft1YcrcARAgM5_LD3cW0NknzQLbHBp5/?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="DSC05804" width="404" /></a></p> <p>4:30 finally came around and I was outta there! I don’t like days like that! Normally my days at work FLY!!! But not today. I guess if I only have 1 or 2 every 3 or 4 months I am ok with that! Kyle and I had dinner plans with some friends, but not till 7pm. So I spent the time<strong> catching up</strong> on the phone with my <strong>sister</strong> and cleaned up a bit. </p> <p>Our dinner date was <strong>FUN</strong>! It was with some friends from church who we’ve known a long time, but haven’t really hung out with much. I think that may change now though, we all had a really good time! We were there for <strong>over 2 hours</strong> just chatting away!! I ordered the garlic herb chicken for <strong>7 points</strong>. So good!<img alt="" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0aGpXCyzthGhfb-rPAQs9a6WPJPW_EvQfLlIMulVWsRqpuAT0hAO8st781lrFq-5UeJqK9V0WznaY5HppRuaO9aIvBONBEY3C6-PZ8s1tQORGzuWx8Zx8g1O_G2gWhZp75Tkd8KM-irl/s320/DSC01479.JPG" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" width="400" /></p> <p>It was after 9:15 by the time we left. Kyle and I both were craving ice cream so we stopped at the grocery store and each got our own! I got <strong>Blue Bunny light vanilla</strong> and Kyle got chocolate caramel commotion. Mine was <strong>2 points/half cup</strong>, Kyle’s was 4 points/half cup! I choose mine! I topped it off with a <strong>small sliced banana</strong> and a <strong>tbs</strong> of <strong>light chocolate syrup</strong>. Total sundae was only<strong> 3 points</strong>! Supper yummy and totally satisfied my hankering for ice cream!! <img alt="DSC05807" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszm4Ac_zhIkiGUJNMx-GtsRv3pmjEgahaYDADQTBZpL9BVCkMQhdujJ6YpCoLhJnNUQnuRcXG5CoLhFZdJYUewgbQzqxTNYLK9CZ36CNLFGG48zX40NyvGfjypHg3EjSWoq8UdAFIcSZN/?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="DSC05807" width="404" /><img alt="DSC05809" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8uB_I_SFV8-RKrR9cV5mPWii2YEmYAUwME1mbKYv3NxPUFVy6or6gsUuomtsCP_w4QJkCpdLkoAO__95GVKEa8h91mDByFBWf5AMSu-7aaC0FWFB_9E0Wt-dvLm_ObS7MKQBhromot7v/?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="DSC05809" width="404" /></p> <p>I know the beginning of my post was quite down, but great fellowship and food with friends made for an excellent ending! Hope everyone has a great weekend! </p> <p><strong>FRIDAY’S STATS</strong> <br />POINTS = 26/24 <br />WATER =  72 oz <br />EXERCISE = Day Off</p>

Sluggish Start to a Excellent End

So this morning I wanted to hit the gym extra early so I could get to work early to get a few extra things done. So I thought I set my alarm...

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