Finally Friday!!!

<p>This morning I got a BUNCH of stuff together to take to my work. Share What You Wear has been an annual event at Iowa Central since 2004. Last year, the event reached out to nearly 1,000 individuals in need from Fort Dodge and the surrounding area. Participants had the opportunity to select clothing, shoes, coats, toys and household items for themselves and as gifts to be given to loved ones at no cost to them. It is Christmas for some of the people that come. So I got rid of a TON of my clothes that are too big, a bunch of household items that I don’t use anymore, and a vacuum. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5pDuo4yAdJ746EZzSSvGG_R25raj-z0m4InNV3BiqrGHa-o4sSoeSO1RWw4YX-pb-1Zoj3-FKTEBds7CwzytN6raFQ-qfpfy_JYwu5pDxeRBru4RGkB_iQ72QL8yG8j7jCfnBemavjwu/s1600-h/DSC051953.jpg"><img alt="DSC05195" border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFge7j4aR8kODjP09vnUWyllMbsFKbO1cakvbjz9hUHPYyxQxt8GSC5QUyi3W9BXTkZ2rH_J7SnzqencvU5ivOiWArqw-ks3Bte9JUJc7LPQPDr1KosgMpWdmde-RgNEJeCHGTYhic9eg2/?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="DSC05195" width="604" /></a> </p> <p>Oh one more thing I did before I left home is weighed…and I happy to say that I am out of the 170s and <strong>NEVER</strong> want to see them again! The scale said <strong>169.5</strong> this morning and was <strong>SUPER</strong> happy to see that especially after I was unsure on the points value of my <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2009/12/i-new-moon.html">dinner out Thursday night.</a> </p> <p>After dropping off my stuff I raced to the gym (literally…it was about 10 steps away!) It was already 6:40 and I need to be in the shower by 7:10 to get to work on time. So I got in <strong>30 minutes</strong> on the <strong>cross ramp</strong>, but it wasn’t an easy 30 minutes! I pushed myself and burned almost 400 calories!</p> <p>I headed to my office and whipped of my usual bowl of <strong>oatmeal</strong> with <strong>PB2</strong> and a <strong>small banana</strong> for <strong>4 points</strong>. It didn’t look so usual today though…not sure what the deal was, but it still tasted delish!!!  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTDXdDozkBsM8xVkwRAw3ZdvJzin_2xLETwF14RHBZeaVCwRSrvGU9FdIojUX-t0iEkDDoSUT_A0cTnjcV2FljwPmufDAvvSvOHEVLGW4D7c0iM6F40nWTWK4rJhLJgFvKfrieaYfQUwx/s1600-h/DSC051963.jpg"><img alt="DSC05196" border="0" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyb9gDuqdM6A1tINUlyzGIjHht6hDgQfTYbkJdv60X_mk9QHAMqvJVetcG2f_aEHpOkFjje4YCP-s2Q3lGdbXlkX6I2FL6wQy01ROMi9JLZevNrrtKIVet9Js7ndofrjhhzDqt8gYPjZh/?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="DSC05196" width="528" /></a> </p> <p>Since my work puts on Share What You Wear I was able to send half my staff over in the morning to help set up for it. Boy do I wish I would have got picture of that. They have a SEMI TRAILER full of donations that we have collected over the past month that we unloaded and sorted. It’s a HUGE project. I stayed VERY busy since my office wasn’t full staffed. But I didn’t forget my morning snack. I had the usual <strong>1 1/2 c strawberries, 1/4 c grape nuts, and yogurt</strong> for <strong>3 points</strong> this morning. These strawberries have been SO good. I almost didn’t want to mix them in….but I did! :)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmBGKSMXAKThlJaUElL0ZASIyM61hCvWooSX_FnaUsRZusej4kwLFb7tzzXe8wJGEzkQf4Ng0SBfazsi0hXXbKi4xSUZyV6E655FlVAWaYO6lyPPyWXtrArEZ7NCd6H6B4Ux64Qs9FZHJ/s1600-h/DSC051973.jpg"><img alt="DSC05197" border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycpSTL0hI1HZFlPfDQFzyo9gI6_bo5I4LjUMokA1Y69NrzlMz7K35cYAWA6yF7NbLBWykwmNtIPuwrzfMdcUKCnJGLehryUX0FQXvTUQrCiOwzhabwDeVEPhhIffO5ivSDRzTDMESGeeW/?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="DSC05197" width="604" /></a> </p> <p>It wasn’t until after 2 that I left for lunch. I stopped at my church to pick up a card off the giving tree. I think I might do some shopping on Saturday. I had an <strong>apple</strong> while running around town for <strong>1 point</strong>. Like my <strong>Under Armour Cold Gear gloves</strong>?!?! They are <strong>SUPER</strong> warm. Kyle and I each got a pair before <a href="http://bangertfam.blogspot.com/2009/10/our-1st-half-marathon.html">we ran the half marathon in October</a> because it was <strong>SO</strong> cold that day!!! And I am so glad that we did…they kept my hands nice and toasty during the whole race! I picked a little girl who is six years old off the giving tree…I loved her <strong>wish list: </strong>boots, tights, dresses, dolls…all things <strong>girl</strong>!! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSI2XrGN5fzJtqAbSw0FtuT9nuRS4bVGEXbXCPeuUTUCvJQ3s3OdugKntdL8t13zYRytQ9u6APs3aVtD7-pdyEf1Km0z4IXg-8wfvnllbcyvfuCM6DCiFvOscUiOVsZv2NhOyG8frhvXD/s1600-h/DSC051983.jpg"><img alt="DSC05198" border="0" height="491" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMjnGqg2pGXxtlgpzf-MOpGHeBYCks7iPEuurqZMbzrrxSRlBoCexI_0YcHSB1YDuc6PCNtjShV-wTBckS4x-zKqHo4bK4dFv13E7q4degY01k1XWgZMyVuIvJHf1nNQdtbrmRRAUbBkf/?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="DSC05198" width="655" /></a> </p> <p>I was just going to grab that <strong>395 calorie meal</strong> I’ve seen advertised from KFC and go back to office right away, but when I went there they said something was wrong with their grill and they didn’t have it at this time. :( So sad! Have any of you tried that yet? I’m curious and want to try it. And I also want to figure out the fat & fiber content so I can figure the points value. Since I couldn’t get that I decided to <strong>$ave money</strong> and run home to make my lunch! (Makes the hubby proud!!) So I had a <strong>turkey & cheese sandwich</strong>, <strong>strawberries</strong>, and <strong>animal cookies</strong> (I call them cookies ‘cause they are <strong>sweet</strong> like a <strong>cookie</strong>, not salty like a cracker and then it seems like <strong>desert</strong> !) for a total of <strong>5 points</strong>. Very yum-o!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yA5Aho0gLfmTAibRYhv_-pyBVuZU0E88epGJCrw6oTpgZdHppoMRtDG_bXkw_OgAILVQZc7iGLe8GFvYzbMH00j_SFacxjW_hCr0Q_jOpWY1wdWNvM0KbuTuXjUPVmeDlt9vONbGOfVA/s1600-h/DSC051993.jpg"><img alt="DSC05199" border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jfGLIiAIXxR2GI0Wnc2OEZwKKpyqV6B7jUMC1RtXUKF7QFzHQOlkpSs0WYi-94BXcGR5yfonVLTGZb6e7vdB2P3OJudgLO7sWgFjyIs4LHNjvDF3c-EJ9GI9HIwKc2j7Py0CPClUIOs1/?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="DSC05199" width="604" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>I got back to work, had 1 of my staff stay back and cover the office and the rest of us headed over to finish helping set up for Share What You Wear. It really puts things into <strong>perspective</strong> thinking that coming to an event like this is some people’s Christmas shopping and really makes me realize <strong>how blessed</strong> Kyle and I are for what we have. I stayed there setting up, sorting, and cleaning till about 6 and then headed home to meet up with Kyle. We were going to head to Des Moines to use our Kohls cash we got on Black Friday (I think we have<strong> $50</strong> to spend!), but decided to keep it <strong>low key</strong>.</p> <p>We were both pretty drained from a long day. So we got some supper and movie and came home. I got <strong>Subway</strong> and Kyle got Taco Tico. My sub didn’t taste right. I think something was wrong with the bread. I only ate <strong>half</strong> of it and then ate some <strong>chips and cheese dip</strong> of Kyle’s. I’m going to count my supper as <strong>11 points</strong>. Two for the very small half of my sandwich I ate and 9 for the chips and cheese. And I think I fell asleep during the first 20  minutes of the movie! Sorry hun!!</p> <p>And folks, that all she wrote for the day…not too exciting!! But I am sure excited for the weekend, lots to get done!</p> <p><strong>FRIDAY’S STATS</strong> <br />POINTS = 24/24 <br />WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 31 remaining/35 <br />WATER = 125 oz <br />ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED  = 4 today/23 week <br />EXERCISE = 30 min cross ramp</p>

Finally Friday!!!

This morning I got a BUNCH of stuff together to take to my work. Share What You Wear has been an annual event at Iowa Central since 2004. La...

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The Snow Man Cometh

And this morning, I found a bag on the front door knob. It contained a tree top ornament snow man. We are having the bag dusted for prints and scraped for DNA samples.

The Snow Man Cometh

And this morning, I found a bag on the front door knob. It contained a tree top ornament snow man. We are having the bag dusted for prints a...

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Salon Emploi Seniors

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Zn-aiAPBU9xbaIOPSH-IQ9QXSDdsEs84SjL3b9JoDJzF_4tPNmYsD9-w4BKaMqEHMhZhlYFt65esISBFD3KrbKhgVhO4iYagV0TczQ-ubPWUeB9kvVCpQH73aCn8qNqxZHaEOJVYUg7R/s1600-h/FondHTML112009.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411385775536238402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Zn-aiAPBU9xbaIOPSH-IQ9QXSDdsEs84SjL3b9JoDJzF_4tPNmYsD9-w4BKaMqEHMhZhlYFt65esISBFD3KrbKhgVhO4iYagV0TczQ-ubPWUeB9kvVCpQH73aCn8qNqxZHaEOJVYUg7R/s320/FondHTML112009.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 258px;" /></a><br /><BR><br />La Jeune Chambre économique d’Orléans organise un Salon Emploi Seniors :<br /><ul><li>le Mardi 15 décembre 2009 de 9h à 19h<br /><li>au Centre de Conférences – Orléans</ul><br />La Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans présente sur le forum animera l'atelier <a href="http://www.jce-orleans.fr/ateliers.html" "target=_blank">« Seniors et Gestion Prévisionnelle des Emplois et des Compétences »</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.jce-orleans.fr/exposant.html" "target=_blank">Liste des exposants</a><br /><BR>

Salon Emploi Seniors

La Jeune Chambre économique d’Orléans organise un Salon Emploi Seniors : le Mardi 15 décembre 2009 de 9h à 19h au Centre de Conférences – Or...

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I <3 New Moon!!!

<p>Happy Thursday everyone!! Tomorrow is everyone’s favorite day!! Well, mine at least! I started out my day today just like the previous one…at the gym!  Today I did <strong>40 minutes</strong> on the <strong>treadmill</strong>. A little over half was <strong>running</strong> and then the other part of it was <strong>walking at an incline</strong>. Boy is that a leg work out! </p> <p>Breakfast was sorta a repeat of yesterday, but with <strong>regular PB2</strong> instead of chocolate. Boy do I LOVE this <strong>4 point</strong> breakfast. It’s super delicious and also very filling! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQ1gy3PEYLwqw5z1RSQPN09HmrU0uRGmNT1QNyuFkfjdHRHkFVDV-TS0IvkpJZgpDOYQ43KeCU6abXup7rf-8GpLRPua8c6MHODGe74Jf4rr0y7_rpPqm8rzFQDB96rpm0i-cLAf1zl9f/s1600-h/DSC05180%5B6%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05180" border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NfUtbGTwIaCbV2WSJ6UTpWoPcYoXfF65Xfi8q6kRaeEG8HlyvRSDm4pTIR17Wnr6d4YCfdybo9NUYlmxz8Py6fjZJ8lGFGRmHGuQCROGvhu5JQmwuwduZlP2FpZsyBpvmy9HNc6tC905/?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="DSC05180" width="629" /></a> </p> <p>My morning snack was more like lunch today! Once again my morning flew by and I didn’t get have my <strong>morning 3 point mush</strong> until about <strong>noon</strong>! But it still hit the spot…another combo I don’t think I will ever get tired of! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4LCEaFwjaARHGp4rvjNLBG0CyfB1JAaXzCRF34lCMbp1VAWBqJFJrfGymrtNOicVtSkioZavBuMDDJ6reGThykYAmQf_9Qbwrgz7oYxxknDFnv7askuvPBsUAK8OGDDEXw3ECGZKUMy4/s1600-h/DSC05181%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05181" border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX43SRaLf4BZcEg0Ciwx3WzGrpFpphQSxqdtFAdh1ZuVzkFFPqNBL84gszfIFH_YSR3T7wqFGLJIDQhOapf9hev3cc0SjC0C9d2lpWp5-NW1OANcmaT8bX3agBBoA51m4-eHrShKoeKnDp/?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="DSC05181" width="579" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><strong>Look at what I saw almost all day out my office window in the courtyard:</strong></p> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="800" border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="400"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTa7DAOTG1iUhhxsZOgkCHqk1xsWSpEXlBCWNdBkjgXafY6sfFj24u7qM8-MgGUUheBJ5h6SMsD16Fk3mFqk1H7vm3pOEKPdGp9GqVQhnGlUrWwVgpAS9BpTG0BOFtLdbQa8CR__Rg6PIz/s1600-h/DSC05183%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05183" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehMmsTxs_TjKaJdIMqon72rIuqUGFzt48BY4x1KB1KP7v8_uCtOJ_PDdYLc1PxEeYO3NFxMSqb8zpfUeNyKpIs8vq58xfmxg3wZXEf2sZ1NyWsfbrj1p2HokSn4jBhZWK-sP7GzsiwBsm/?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="DSC05183" width="404" /></a></td> <td valign="top" width="400"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh484cLNREOz0REZgOHYbYNcwYoXDE4Spvxf3SR_r_mvjYcrBt-RBNj65efl5721gVwJ3hyNll7JIsJzY8s5kXtRasdL6MgZgY1mD0tWPTq3JXAObujNETIk_ZsYc8BTi102yXFDD31Mxgm/s1600-h/DSC05182%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05182" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhWWhVAfGdT3QGGRMxapXxUXnrea_7RI9zFkidys17S_alnJRiQJQ2cs-j1njxHXaTwWftK9mtwqHhrZNkqu3yVEJ1dUanw-KDbpsr-nHdlYxwPSz-BQlPMfpb6E9Ach9CWEHJ4mSlBA36/?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="DSC05182" width="404" /></a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p><strong>SNOW!!!</strong> I never thought I would be happy to see the stuff!! But it sure makes it feel more like the Christmas season. But I do have to say I much prefer the almost record high we had on Tuesday for December 1st….like 60 degrees almost! But hey if it’s going to be cold, then bring on the snow! </p> <p>Not only did my morning fly by at work, but so did my afternoon. It was after 2:30 and I still hadn’t taken a lunch break yet. So I decided to skip it and just keep working. So I heated up a quick bowl of <strong>Progresso soup</strong> for <strong>1 point</strong>. Sorry for the icky looking picture…it tasted much better than it looks!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-TtpPgR04UFGbkF_LPygZkotQCfH1sC0L_bW9gaT-M0USEB2lKXX8rky2YlzRhzYZneFlbdNPsDnYWV6YpL9k_DeT-v8S_3GjVXJZHFU1YGymq_arlx2Tg4sMr8rUXEZso_SOGAAz99h/s1600-h/DSC05185%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05185" border="0" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheodPbR4mFwFgOfPOpCqag9lzFuUWhFMGZu8ne-3xbZDuWryfQUqaVBpV1uySWvqHn5zAX6EpwviqbEr6Onjmd8iaTGIj6gAFxsHrl_otSFUh5yfya70WWYLOcHtnAuEaEmq72t0TMe-tT/?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="DSC05185" width="504" /></a>  </p> <p>I finished off my afternoon with one of my most favorite <strong>0 point</strong> items…<strong>DIET SUNKIST</strong>!!!! Mmmm it’s so good!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzEeAv13VcfZ_6k8IZrSAToqIe4m3AevnbogpcxWP8bAqdBBAUC6J1eoW40mXZy-y8-tCtF53_2kHZAAkFHnHGPZr72qyUUK48PMN6az4szI1V8NXLB4LqYjUECzQxqEvuNUH3KfSQbmNo/s1600-h/DSC05187%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05187" border="0" height="578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbDusCS3BoFXV7h5FuZGsnE7rc6SJTaPr_ZPC-EY-73Mgr7sKB2ulBD76ml79xEdGwM93OcN3_1sSmys8GD1Gm_VJgyyTjDpF8ebdeTxhAAxZgs3jvb-ObQfVxcZDW6IgzqLm5PONqqAH/?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="DSC05187" width="435" /></a> </p> <p>My sister and I had a date to (<em>finally</em>) go see New Moon tonight. So I rushed out of my office as quick as I could and look what I found! My car covered in snow and it was still snowing…I think it looks like more than just flurries that the weather man was talking about on the news last night! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVX6bg9Q0zDliuZvP1i0llBDAVQg-A9KW1G_Oae3wOj_Mx_YdUMgkQA-uazufug7UTY5iOQe_6ChLUZaWZjImbrHeSswwLqg3Ol_J5WN30KZHlA7RKqE7XP9rKW6uB-jIYpXPQY9s1DTy/s1600-h/DSC05188%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05188" border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjrG6n468rvmCKqf2CWh2ikNNhV4MCVRJB4_ysVnMy8bGt3vFp11rcACd73mz7cKIQs56lrnBEf15pytxKV27ggu_4N9xwRmeREqAH-r-liYeFsPFCwywwv2yFmb47aVIkbC48u1UuRf-X/?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="DSC05188" width="578" /></a> </p> <p>My sister convinced me we should try Chen Garden, a new restaurant in town. They have a sushi bar, Chinese buffet, American buffet, and Hibachi (the raw bar where they cook it in front of you)…..a person’s nightmare who is trying to eat well!!! So here are my 2 plates. The first one was filled with bananas, oranges, grapes, and a very small serving of beef & broccoli. And then my 2nd plate wasn’t as good (points wise). It had a small amount of Hong Kong Chicken (I think it tasted like teriyaki chicken), a small slice of cheese pizza, 4 chicken nuggets, and a crab rangoon.</p> <p>Points value = I HAVE NO CLUE!!! Anyone have any guesses??? I know the crab rangoon was probably horrible with all that cream cheese. I think tomorrow I might take some time to figure the points, just so I know how many of my weekly allowance I used. If I get it figured out, I will post an update! <strong>UPDATE</strong>: I googled each food and estimated a total of <strong>20 points</strong> for my supper and I think that was going high on everything because I think I had fairly small servings of each item.</p> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="800" border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="400"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGE6Qkm0IIXLr1k0Y4d1fAXkSyz6bqQHG3yE6lfyBc5sNYwSUj342MRdZtDe2PkQ3adp685D3eU2AaIlM2EvFHOl0UXDAWiIbmTcIbiP1B7VWxsbkdt5srodG42Kj9YvZhXNOCcyVOe9R/s1600-h/DSC05189%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05189" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjniqCk9oVrHXaqDUyt48zYdzfiUyo1yQwSMHzvQ8AWptsYYXjE3aqcZqsAOqo1eznPHJ9NblCrWm6JUzFJBm-lh81hmdr4iS1KEoBgkDn44VAMGhBJYmTuLHzS5SQzudh06K6VdpJk9b5b/?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="DSC05189" width="404" /></a></td> <td valign="top" width="400"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM32uX5xBsOquYtw1d0eOxEOYrpLffiSOUcaBCbBukk78Q812T5rS1XkRUC8PI747gZ0Fq9L6QZHAjWR98vBWv9LoeLEGqsozFoYxCJPfoQRwnyjsMqpSyTHKc2HghaL6m-dgJdWGJDc4D/s1600-h/DSC05193%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05193" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-NdKZg1RzxwpeFkgatgkUjKAi_q4srLi5cIt7g2y76mjdAvFiCtZjv5YSIliJaCsgkMrmnSK25TSNvRx_AHStlaaJMzJAa2yuvt5Hcgy8mZu_CGwbNn90EgUEHpxHs5lfvqg_AntE3Vx/?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="DSC05193" width="404" /></a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p> </p> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="800" border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td align="center" width="400">I didn’t try the sushi (and probably never will…I’m not a fish person) or the Hibachi part either. There was a long line for that and we were a little short on time. But it looked pretty cool. They set your food on fire and even launch a few bites for you to catch in your mouth!! My sister was a little braver and got a plate of sushi….  <br /> <br /><img alt="DSC05190" border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2PPsljXnkHweJ2MggTXOadMtF7KZeQ5QU_oF6j7zP-FX9H-vhRRobRcF8EFlJHAexbOsFa6aP4n0OhqEDpeV-mlvemhjrisKIyZ-Wb8Ku9pfqhA1hAqHAoHVlmu_6RhkGzFG5nvnG8w2/?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="DSC05190" width="244" /> <br />I don’t think she was a huge fan of it! I tried to get an after face picture…but it didn’t turn out too well!! And that green stuff that looks like guacamole (I can’t remember what it’s called)…isn’t!!! It is some hot stuff and she put way too much on one of her bites… “<strong>Hot, hot, Darci this is too HOT</strong>!” I think those were her words!!! lol</td> <td valign="top" width="400"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRbOoUpg-bwaWXF6FOOec_fBzz2FXa-Nd-tibZHM53fs-DEQwFTVcARoLXz_-UkX5-vFH7IfTghZbru5dKkh6m9JTFWSiMBzfLgB3x2MMg73CYzfn9mSBox4EKSJQYfZ4jv7gGplb6pfr/s1600-h/DSC05191%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05191" border="0" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0b2HaSDN_g4E94WccdwQNUeXMiu4pDHIZmgMVDH69-fpfOFXxfOnOqqBhemV0jdiMogyn1uKiGsbvz9Xf_ZBkUVyQFN59JqZuVlIKkoAJnRwAvlCmsGJFuPb-GmjKtiFRZ4k1cV9j6YC4/?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="DSC05191" width="379" /></a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p>Then after our dinner we made a quick lap around the mall, which got interrupted by a few shopping stops! And then headed to the theater to see New Moon. And OMG….<strong>did I love this movie</strong>!!! Wow…what did you guys think??? I think it was much better than the 1st and I am <strong>SO</strong> excited that the next one is coming out in June!! And boy, oh boy is Jacob <strong>FFFFIINNNEEEE</strong>!!! ;) But I think I am still “Team Edward”!!</p> <p>I hurried home to Kyle afterwards and just wanted to talk about the movie SO bad, but didn’t want to spoil it for him. He will probably watch it with me when it comes out on DVD. I got a few more loads of laundry done from my <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2009/12/orange-italian.html">huge piles yesterday</a>…I think I only have 2 more to go!!</p> <p>My day just kept getting better and better…I found out that one of my good friends (who moved to KC this summer) is coming to visit next week. I haven’t seen her since September and I’m TOTALLY excited for her to be here!!! Oh and the scale was down this morning too…it said 171…so down 2 pounds and 12 more to go for the “sister challenge”!!!</p> <p>Well my favorites, I need to get going. It’s already WAY past Darci’s bed time and I need to get this girl to the gym in the morning!! G’nite all!!</p> <p><strong>THURSDAY’S STATS</strong> <br />POINTS = 28/24 <br />WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 31 remaining/35  <br />WATER = 75 oz <br />ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED  = 6 today/19 week <br />EXERCISE = 40 min run/walk @ incline</p>

I <3 New Moon!!!

Happy Thursday everyone!! Tomorrow is everyone’s favorite day!! Well, mine at least! I started out my day today just like the previous one…a...

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Fall and Winter Outdoor Education Ideas

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY9S0bDNfpVpW6z9buREsyJyP5K4MyIe4H1CLIZHRnmvbHLBNU0dWr7aYlVbhmVxKSdSZl_-cGF7oEkznwmOVq7OiOkigiT0t_BOyZqLQJZRf4hDnfgMKThwxLPvz41MQX03Fy85jspVAV/s1600-h/coldec08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" er="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY9S0bDNfpVpW6z9buREsyJyP5K4MyIe4H1CLIZHRnmvbHLBNU0dWr7aYlVbhmVxKSdSZl_-cGF7oEkznwmOVq7OiOkigiT0t_BOyZqLQJZRf4hDnfgMKThwxLPvz41MQX03Fy85jspVAV/s320/coldec08.jpg" /></a><br /></div>It's getting to be that time of year again.  Our calendars here at the Division of Wildlife are jam-packed with requests for Project WILD and WILD School Site workshops at schools all over the state. We finished workshops this fall in Reynoldsburg, Mogadore, Greenville, Xenia, Maysville and Worthington, to name a few. These schools are looking to start their school year with a fresh new look at education, from the outdoor perspective. <br /><br /><div><br /></div>One thing we always talk about in these workshops is the struggle we find in just getting teachers to take kids outside...period! Our mantra is that if you don't get used to taking them outside now, no manner of gardens, woods or ponds that may be in the works will get you out later. Taking kids outside for a class lesson can be a real struggle for some teachers. If you're not an outdoorsy person, it never occurs to you to nurture that perspective in your students. However, if you think about it, it takes a teacher 4 to 6 years to develop their own teaching style. We don't expect you to change it all in a 6 hour workshop. And neither should you. It will take some creativity, patience, and an adjustment in mindset in many cases for your outdoor education experiences to be a success.<br /><br /><div><br /></div>So, if you are someone who is about to venture into the world of outdoor and environmental education this year, take it slow. Try a lesson here or there. Don't try to do it all at once. It will be too intimidating and overwhelming and you'll end up getting frustrated. And the last thing you should appear to your students is frustrated. Outdoor education is supposed to be fun, an adventure! You want your students to enjoy the outdoors, not look at it as a chore. One of the best learning experiences a student can have is when they don't even realize they are learning.<br /><br />If you're thinking that you need to wait until spring, now that our lovely Ohio winter has set in, you're underestimating the potential for great winter outdoor experiences.  Here are a few tips and activities to help make your winter outdoor adventures a success:<br /><br />       <strong>Winter Outdoor Education Safety Tips:</strong><br /><ul><li>Make sure the students are properly dressed for the weather.  That means no flip flops for older kids and definitely gloves and hats for the little ones.</li><li>Make short trips outdoors if it's really cold, and be sure to keep moving.  Standing still in the cold just makes you colder.</li><li>Be careful around large water features, especially moving water.  Stepping through the ice can turn a fun experience into a dangerous one very quickly.  Never walk on ice that's less than 4 inches thick and never trust ice over moving water.</li></ul>      <strong> Winter Outdoor Education Activity Ideas:</strong><br /><ul><li>Have students view features of the school during the winter and compare to how they looked in other seasons.  Have students keep a sketch or photo journal of different features, i.e. trees, flower beds, streams, fields, etc. for a seasonal comparison study.</li><li>Try to find animal tracks in heavy snow or muddy areas.  Setting up bait piles of corn, bird seed or other beneficial food to encourage wild visitors is a good way to find tracks.  Look around pond edges, muddy areas along parking lots and playgrounds, and along streams for tracks as well.</li><li>If you have a bluebird box trail, take a peek in the boxes to see if any mice have taken up residence for the winter.  You can leave them be for now, but be sure to clean out your boxes and make any necessary repairs by March 1st so they'll be ready for any early returning cavity nesting birds such as bluebirds and house wrens.</li><li>Keep bird feeders as full as possible during any significant snow or ice events.  If you have enough warning, fill them up the days before a big weather event.  Your feathered neighbors will be much appreciative of the food during these difficult times.  If possible, keeping a source of water open will really draw in a lot of visitors.  This can be accomplished by keeping a waterproof heating coil in a bird bath all winter long.</li><li>Keep a list of what species of wildlife visit your site during the winter versus other seasons. Have students speculate on why some animals are here only certain times of the year.</li></ul>If you have other ideas or have had great experiences outdoors, please share them here! Happy Holidays and get outdoors!!

Fall and Winter Outdoor Education Ideas

It's getting to be that time of year again.  Our calendars here at the Division of Wildlife are jam-packed with requests for Project WIL...

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An Orange Italian

<p>I started out my morning the best way, at the gym! I do admit though, I hit snooze for a few minutes, but Kyle was up and getting ready so I jumped out of bed and got going! I got in 35 minutes on the cross ramp and did 10 minutes of abs. Nice little sweat session. </p> <p>I got ready and headed to my office to make some breakfast before the work day started. I had one of my favorite combinations, <strong>1 small banana</strong>, <strong>chocolate PB2</strong>, and <strong>oatmeal</strong>. All for only <strong>4 points</strong>.  Mmmmm, good!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhVVK_ts3JVOHu_zNqxaBIbxNVnng76YPkI_FmLaolNPPmkSn1TsPbWQk-uKX8FhgUzYZjMRGt4EL6q7jU_8R_HvOJaWtDVUQhuwUrtqF8iCVPLp2QtTJdnuso02eaoE1aTRJcd7JXqw5/s1600-h/DSC051683.jpg"><img alt="DSC05168" border="0" height="491" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKtwrI2JpIw2WNK3321Yi81E2RNHMUv5ICW8GppqQsC-r5HD44o-KwWFJFeTDDmC5oC62w_f-8tZifKJ59ikJoAMICtcwesSjG6X1mawS-j0x10L7kTZVZYtrpwkkoD3uLf0k5rmJcO2x/?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="DSC05168" width="655" /></a> </p> <p>My morning FLEW by. My director is out of the office so I feel like everyone is coming to me, which is ok, but I don’t get anything done! So finally around 11am I had my morning snack, <strong>strawberries, grape nuts</strong>, and <strong>yogurt</strong> for <strong>3 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDfwvIWdmt8JjzqEaVg42I3wBQFT30FxkTXeW-jFm3xQ1MrpN1uGBOXgQgrvBCc5Nb40RkMprdy5GUIIg-W0E5V5da_DW_nRVgEzcezb2m2TXZZc8NDhyKJeJ9wLihJZ6V-0yMDkP-XwnR/s1600-h/DSC05169%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05169" border="0" height="491" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMAh1hZ0XEO6eogPFiA9xyYCA4y1wYOTGwG9sC_p_kfY1lflkz7OekfrZtMn9bojk6Xv64Lzuvt3lgT7r-St83I1zn5LAW0tcO-Prw4Cy2LdiWzMbLxNFgMx7XOlRvsNECDyUTuXSmihI/?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="DSC05169" width="655" /></a> </p> <p>Not only did my  morning fly by, but the rest of the day did! I was training my staff on a new grant and it was past 2:30 and I realized I hadn’t been to lunch yet and I bet poor little Abby (my dog!) had her legs crossed! I ran to the grocery store to pick up some more strawberries ($2/pound!!). Oh and I had an <strong>apple </strong>for <strong>1 point</strong> on the way, no picture though. Kyle called and said he was on his way home which worked out perfect. I grabbed a <strong>Lean Cuisine pizza</strong> (<strong>7 points</strong>) and went straight back to work!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2zliQjSy4KXdswYIVi06zyFxVEeYcBollTfbLj35xXDBb_6vs6pKXHV0tacfn_J5KC-UiPdepSk1EJOQG_WJnD2FEEAclNLw2rd9_A981Hpdu5fdeJ54JE3vLTgH-mxqNSr2Tjyzmaoh/s1600-h/DSC05170%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05170" border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpVbAv2ejEPtH2mAjpOpR4KU5Pkz30UpVZzne9pj45ZSEZKBdkWe4p4So2JLKCrlFwj0qDWar-gWgfKjl0LYa2QuKzkZk2LK9sBjKkcETWpnNkxJkuKEHnXVqhS_X_4G3llLv97wDgX3le/?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="DSC05170" width="554" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>I stuck around work till about 6 to get a few extra things done. And I knew what was waiting for me when I got home. This:</p> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="800" border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="400"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHL48mGCt3zcHfCnxppVz7piUwpg31t8l-a8QnD4y5dnUOOfp_3TXNWD27CF_U9Gsh20nMQDw3lx-gLgxhBTUmn_uRLhkrbontiwszgdiRBY2TIs4I9ozwEDsLqv6Cr-nYyQkA-2g1ibK6/s1600-h/DSC05171%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05171" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gQLPp-NNj_CKUlgcdCUnDrf9hEh08qyTnnX1v1agnnQ_nh9RGOE3PUN-25czlaMFTkcUMMvdXOnc93Nd78zfoDup1wLvIqbfrFAilui8IHVUwORepYu2lC3_y70UMknK3TfGYEPxFYu7/?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="DSC05171" width="404" /></a></td> <td valign="top" width="400"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYf_c4Yb98yB4rft_fWYFDAvFF-lqGhbmjqZ6X23htJjbOVV1yZ_UVRFntDSOysK1sro5uyM2OjAz5Y2Xgajzpj2vZ5m0NO4bDj1bVlGlmzS_T7oRtSArpAgZbPeagnS35Xs1CW3pZmqHH/s1600-h/DSC05172%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05172" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgx-K7zZNvaTPv8a4lQq3UMW6FBX_pfkp05X8Vvwxdny4tv5XsYxt1QXKdsQ2gzT3my3jLoVogyDKZY7AnDjHadLY-cu5ibboRx0uWkzeMq3tuGQhP5h-B-Z7zUt7-a0X1k9XGHBa4ND1r/?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="DSC05172" width="404" /></a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p align="center">Loads and loads of laundry!!! 9 to be exact! So if you need to find me…this is where I’ll be!  And you know I’m not sure I agree with my Uppercase Living that I put on the wall?!!?!?!</p> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="800" border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="400"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZ2cMxa4E0QrTEwtoK6FBl5zuk_oSvYcyaW8NF_7DkL2hb3ViznuN-If_8B_l5_9XyUcVsdpC1kq8LmZY4dh33Ad2wYdUPT5WPE0JIoUJ_3m36xt3kPu6k0WhbkWB3ogJoIdTjRwnEfiD/s1600-h/DSC05177%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05177" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXbzYmX9La98C77IdDdrqox2-to1lmMqU3TaWb0qIhj_Q29ninfQFaWMAjaxaGYyicFuDQj-ktJRAvFww8oz4wBPBqyrl0SAy9jaP5oi5I7cSTLWhUPcviLSfxlJwJkoR_LFMW40VqWlw/?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="DSC05177" width="404" /></a></td> <td valign="top" width="400"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhec6I1GimMSTnXrDfANsFXVckvcGNB7jj07JbEon6vUE1EQfaMy8WVJzDi6UpT2xsvZb17d-x7JPVy7AbJdjrRYCeOOqPI6Kff9dkDrMofyDp3U8pf7KPjO0DqZ6-eoA68r9kk09xcBgCa/s1600-h/DSC05176%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05176" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZko2ercLNJD_wv8QNTp7tYE9iTZm_ou9qAlCevaUWluSqsV3XjDliiqwZqXVFNteV5Hfxbzg4HlmKk_5QF5Ja8YT6qSRN3w-Im83qwujxVDXGrOSjmt7vHkCicChif0sRa3mHWm1bSQv/?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="DSC05176" width="404" /></a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="800" border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td align="center" width="400">In between loads I made an odd, but easy supper! Pizza for lunch, cheese sticks for supper and everything is so orange. Kyle said I’m going to turn into an orange Italian! <br /> <br />My supper tonight was some <strong>carrot chips</strong>, <strong>2 clementines</strong>, <strong>ranch for dipping</strong>, <strong>cheesy bread,</strong> and <strong>cauliflower w/cheese</strong> for a total of <strong>7 points</strong>. <br /><img alt="DSC05179" border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56hP83gdnieB88b9nYlUokrzZUyP3Z_JBcEQFuYNF2YLvzY8nUOkxjFlMC2dFTtmgePSEb8gV4nlfNrUe8TBeCQw_7DJRZe4nssXsg8_tg7YH_u2rXmnlAWbVO3euVVS7C-UOMdktedTA/?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="DSC05179" width="244" /></td> <td valign="top" width="400"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3TKgrgtJTrrVrqxKlWnErgg8wRQs4fMAARmADMOkWVS8UKjK-Dt2EQmYwoz1BPaTaZk5wFnfUZGcJ9DSESgLifqrQ_cRwPZaoC87R3rk12Ha03eMVMOaFgHmSmvq9zX0P_nG46i66Fpm/s1600-h/DSC05178%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05178" border="0" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcAJ2dDdRYKsrND8w_J0agQpX79XaQVSkYDhPAaH0jqG240d5aOjCGEQC5ONsmSWJYggfeLq0hFpu4LmcYNKdY9XmaEsbC45BD1FhhvqZ_vh6J2dH4JGhbS4F0dhRPQ1Mz8sTWbVFYFVsK/?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="DSC05178" width="504" /></a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><strong>WEDNESDAY'S STATS</strong> <br />POINTS = 22/24 <br />WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 35/35  <br />WATER = 100oz <br />ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED  = 6 today/13 week <br />EXERCISE = 35 min cross ramp, 10 min abs</p>

An Orange Italian

I started out my morning the best way, at the gym! I do admit though, I hit snooze for a few minutes, but Kyle was up and getting ready so I...

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Do References Really Matter? - 10 tips for providing recommendations

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/ky/ar5c2h3773zzmpnkc0ky.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/ky/ar5c2h3773zzmpnkc0ky.gif" yr="true" /></a><br /></div>The importance of references seems to be a hot topic these days. Employers want to make sure they are hiring the right person for the job; but some thwart the process because checking references can be labor-intensive. On the other hand, job seekers provide references they know will give a glowing report, but employers are getting smarter and finding references you didn't provide.<br /><br />So, what's the deal? Do references matter? Do employers even check them anymore? What's the protocol for providing them to a potential employer? Who are the best people to include as references? And, if an employer doesn't call any of your references, is it a bad sign?<br /><br />While the definitive answer to any of these questions depends on the employer, overall, yes, references do still matter. The process has just changed.<br /><br />"References play a huge role in the hiring process, perhaps now more than ever," says Heather R. Huhman, founder and president of Come Recommended, an online community that connects internship and entry-level job candidates with employers. "Oftentimes, hiring managers fall in love with a candidate on paper and then again in an interview, only to find out through a reference check that none of their previous employers would ever hire them again. By checking a candidate's references, hiring managers save themselves the frustration of hiring a person who is not a good fit for a company. In this economy, where hiring budgets are slim, every hire must be a great fit." <br /><br />Provided references are no guarantee<br /><br />Though the majority of employers do check references, others skip this step. Not only is it labor-intensive to check references for people who might not be poised for a job offer, but Jack Harsh, adjunct professor at the University of Richmond Robins School of Business, says that many employers worry about the risk of liability in rejecting a candidate based on poor references.<br /><br />"[Hiring] decisions cannot be based on information that is discriminatory in nature, so to avoid any liability, the checks are forgone," Harsh says. "Sadly, the first reference the employer gets in such cases is from colleagues after employment has begun."<br /><br />Steve Langerud, director of career development at Depauw University, adds that sometimes, the quality of references is benign. <br /><br />"Everyone wants to be helpful and supportive to former employees, but in the end, they offer little substance to a new employer," he says. "Legally, they are limited by what they can or want to say about former employees. I think the old formal system of references is dead in most professional fields."<br /><br />Langerud warns that just because an employer isn't checking personal references the traditional way doesn't mean he isn't checking references at all.<br /><br />"Employers are more likely to check the informal, but tangible, behavioral reference sources like LinkedIn, Facebook, credit history [or] criminal history than the more subjective references provided by candidates," he says. "Candidates should be much more intentional about crafting a professional identity that serves the role of a 'reference' but within the context of the work, profession and colleagues you seek to engage. It eliminates the weaknesses inherent in the old style of references that become so watered down they are useless." <br /><br />Making the right choices<br /><br />The last thing you want to do is give an employer useless references, but many job seekers make the mistake of not taking the time to thoughtfully choose the right people to speak on their behalf, says Elaine Varelas, managing partner for Keystone Partners, an outplacement and talent management consulting firm.<br /><br />"You want people who can speak to your role as a professional, not as a nice neighbor," Varelas says. "Candidates can make their references count by prepping them to discuss their specific skills as they relate to the job and the impact they brought to the job, which can be just the differentiation needed in this highly competitive market."<br /><br />Harsh agrees that when he receives a résumé with references attached, he gives them virtually no weight.<br /><br />"They seldom are specific to the role my company seeks and are not meaningful in considering qualifications or traits of successful candidate," he says. <br /><br />Finally, when it comes to protocol for submitting references, the process has changed as well. It used to be that applicants sent them in with their other application materials, but now, Varelas says, you should wait to provide references until you are asked.<br /><br />"Most companies do not want your references until the end of the process and they will let you know when to provide a list of names and contact information. Do not send written references," she says. "These do not offer the highest impact as they are not specific on how you will fit into the job you are pursuing. It is better to spend your time preparing your references for the kinds of questions they will be asked, and what they can do to help you close an offer."<br /><br />Helpful hints<br /><br />Harsh, Varelas and Langerud offer these 10 tips to ensure you do everything right when it comes to providing references:<br /><br />1. Include references only when requested by an employer.<br /><br />2. Carefully consider whom to provide after discussion with the prospective employer. The time to check references is before an offer is made, but after the candidate is either the final candidate or among the final few for the job. <br /><br />3. Seek references from people who actually know you and your work. Ask for permission to list them as a reference.<br /><br />4. Ask directly if they can provide you with a positive reference for the position(s) you are seeking. If they hesitate, move on!<br /><br />5. Prepare your references about who will be calling them and what to focus on when talking about you. Always ask them to call you after they have been called. <br /><br />6. Prepare your references to speak consistently about your skills, but not identically. Suggest a different highlight for each person. Have 100 percent confidence in what they will say and how they speak about you, or cross them off the list.<br /><br />7. Provide accurate contact information about your references, and ask your references how they prefer to be contacted (e-mail, phone, etc.).<br /><br />8. Let your references know what happens to you and the position(s) you applied for. Thank your references.<br /><br />9. Prepare a LinkedIn site to demonstrate your skills and interests.<br /><br />10. Participate in professional blogs to create a history of professional involvement in your field that is independent of your work history.<br /><br />By Rachel Zupek is a 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.

Do References Really Matter? - 10 tips for providing recommendations

The importance of references seems to be a hot topic these days. Employers want to make sure they are hiring the right person for the job; b...

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Oakland

Just pictures I took today. I take tons of pictures, pretty much every day of my life.<br /><br />This one is the trail that runs in front of my hotel along the water. I went for a walk here today. It looks a lot prettier in the picture than it did in person. The water is terribly polluted, full of garbage. Plastic bags, potato chip bags, even condoms were floating in the water. The grossest thing I've ever seen. Of course I'm only four miles from the airport, always a notoriously bad area of any city.<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQBPcduBDSKZSw5KjyxbW5IogzTNiS7opwD0AVmQmHpqqcM2XD45_vh4Bf5t9AKRs37CNQ02SjNi7lVEUBWP1ImrsMd5HCsoO5bqd-Fqo0TPGe2we9ck4ZREYXctH90RXMsQ-Aj7u5Mf7/s1600-h/walking+trail.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410470133692463890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQBPcduBDSKZSw5KjyxbW5IogzTNiS7opwD0AVmQmHpqqcM2XD45_vh4Bf5t9AKRs37CNQ02SjNi7lVEUBWP1ImrsMd5HCsoO5bqd-Fqo0TPGe2we9ck4ZREYXctH90RXMsQ-Aj7u5Mf7/s400/walking+trail.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> </p><p></p><p>This was a picture I took from inside the Oakland Airport terminal. They have a great view.</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6bpE_QdEt29WnoYbcO4elQSZuv-2k1Aghl9mTXeAwX4t9raUYdCYyO9BcFVGg9FaGrs8QMBK1gNr92CTVZYrJkgcDHXtNKp8drAvIBtxPDXKESt16JAMpsNBoH8FxtHZWqqL3vpJc0IO/s1600-h/View+from+terminal.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410470125447148354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6bpE_QdEt29WnoYbcO4elQSZuv-2k1Aghl9mTXeAwX4t9raUYdCYyO9BcFVGg9FaGrs8QMBK1gNr92CTVZYrJkgcDHXtNKp8drAvIBtxPDXKESt16JAMpsNBoH8FxtHZWqqL3vpJc0IO/s400/View+from+terminal.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />More pictures from in front of the hotel, on the paved trail.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9mORJDdDmkHjZAiCyjfZudz1-IsIRjXFZi3x9Pxz_iEYADOYZRzK-66555b5Lux9nY-n4_MmSvUahFLGBgJTgwfrw8Td08amCE9P0Gn2-aUX29Ibp2SadkSwBlWgDBpprp0WkcEF5N8X/s1600-h/view+from+pier.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410470116109815138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9mORJDdDmkHjZAiCyjfZudz1-IsIRjXFZi3x9Pxz_iEYADOYZRzK-66555b5Lux9nY-n4_MmSvUahFLGBgJTgwfrw8Td08amCE9P0Gn2-aUX29Ibp2SadkSwBlWgDBpprp0WkcEF5N8X/s400/view+from+pier.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUPDD9OTcbFYUT8cgYrAjPyuUYgmQBRWnu1E6waiNpoNBa0SIKE9Wh0PuMmD2wZex5UsBDmXzEDGQ1m9wpc_TYc2FvNdBDorVPP5HZkthloyu9tXjLmLlYXzCqA9BPhVqR8FQ3pC8DXy0/s1600-h/view2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410470106052736130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUPDD9OTcbFYUT8cgYrAjPyuUYgmQBRWnu1E6waiNpoNBa0SIKE9Wh0PuMmD2wZex5UsBDmXzEDGQ1m9wpc_TYc2FvNdBDorVPP5HZkthloyu9tXjLmLlYXzCqA9BPhVqR8FQ3pC8DXy0/s400/view2.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> </div><div></div><div>Pigeon picture. :)<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCRZEHdWJnwbVWa9XlhSKIZRmQH9UJUiyQAtay-7wdUyVJm51o2stTu6MhotoIVxCGyiOFf-xA3gK2LLb2nxLLJSWzqInZddYPThT-jEm3Z4xYvaJk6X4uT7x_hjhLKfqySdPqfP8pMZQ/s1600-h/pigeon.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410469508434480834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCRZEHdWJnwbVWa9XlhSKIZRmQH9UJUiyQAtay-7wdUyVJm51o2stTu6MhotoIVxCGyiOFf-xA3gK2LLb2nxLLJSWzqInZddYPThT-jEm3Z4xYvaJk6X4uT7x_hjhLKfqySdPqfP8pMZQ/s400/pigeon.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> </div><div></div><div></div><div>The pier in front of the hotel here in Oakland is the San Antonio fishing pier. Guys were fishing off this pier. I'd never eat anything caught in this water. Too gross! And don't they know San Antonio is in Texas?<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYw80CV8VRJEW98Pin9eI5ZTkRO0z2kr3HauJTtusTJh95WSxYJCBKOff-P1TkvDE2m5FbWHPx9xtIUnoPepOCqetI65a6WA7eZDDTUoN-lxYDOeD3xhkaAytSYtl93Jo1UBY94tsMMf9X/s1600-h/pier.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410469499066818962" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYw80CV8VRJEW98Pin9eI5ZTkRO0z2kr3HauJTtusTJh95WSxYJCBKOff-P1TkvDE2m5FbWHPx9xtIUnoPepOCqetI65a6WA7eZDDTUoN-lxYDOeD3xhkaAytSYtl93Jo1UBY94tsMMf9X/s400/pier.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />Cool artwork in the Oakland terminal, painted on the windows. Not in our terminal, but in our arch enemy's terminal (that other airline who shall remain nameless).</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZ0n9Cdwo0Nx-_bx32h5kKEQ15N_iq_wX_6Z1bTAs0bfHJ0IluL-PE5HYRt7qnPV1mRMCXBtG5R1EUov4n69q1lIjYyhzctLPIu506-t2wwVHEUUsCtjmkyG90_R_-TuihVgjvTVeLoFd/s1600-h/OAK+2+002.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410469494403808274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZ0n9Cdwo0Nx-_bx32h5kKEQ15N_iq_wX_6Z1bTAs0bfHJ0IluL-PE5HYRt7qnPV1mRMCXBtG5R1EUov4n69q1lIjYyhzctLPIu506-t2wwVHEUUsCtjmkyG90_R_-TuihVgjvTVeLoFd/s400/OAK+2+002.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />A view of my hotel from the pier.</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvj4po3w8x98bGvgM4tAeIPDzw80HcghiVAh7hyphenhyphenbaNFuGj-kXgntgEu7aSkfqBTOmsjMrncSClSRDDWDfXwPCGhoYbpB-ELYcS-S6ai0toWJ6NuhDFAf74qkxb2tbGjU4J3iUfTq9flZF/s1600-h/Hotel.jp.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410469480214384434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvj4po3w8x98bGvgM4tAeIPDzw80HcghiVAh7hyphenhyphenbaNFuGj-kXgntgEu7aSkfqBTOmsjMrncSClSRDDWDfXwPCGhoYbpB-ELYcS-S6ai0toWJ6NuhDFAf74qkxb2tbGjU4J3iUfTq9flZF/s400/Hotel.jp.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>How on earth did I stay in my room for a whole night, look out the "window" this morning, and not realize it was a sliding glass door with a balcony? The view from my room, that I discovered tonight.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FlaWTjNbOeLzANlPuCdSrljUXwjN2JIvVvdVca1PbyvNyEOktMaglPUXSZXpwKyZg5eFklcMIKGgFHCJiTCy1edAt3EjYJCK98NbiE-rIoMTjRofMSI_kfSQ6DYZ_D8MEy5V929lcOwR/s1600-h/balcony+view.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410469469594041794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FlaWTjNbOeLzANlPuCdSrljUXwjN2JIvVvdVca1PbyvNyEOktMaglPUXSZXpwKyZg5eFklcMIKGgFHCJiTCy1edAt3EjYJCK98NbiE-rIoMTjRofMSI_kfSQ6DYZ_D8MEy5V929lcOwR/s400/balcony+view.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />I'm not going to talk about my day. It was just another day in my life. Difficult. Exhausting. The same old same old. Nothing new.</div></div></div></div></div></div>

Oakland

Just pictures I took today. I take tons of pictures, pretty much every day of my life. This one is the trail that runs in front of my hotel ...

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The Sister Challenge is On!!!

<p>Hello everyone and Happy December! I know my blogging since June has been VERY sporadic, but I’m back now!! I know blogging my daily eats &  activity and your support was key in to the success I had from last November to June.</p> <p>So here I am….my lowest in May was 156, this morning the scale said 173.5. :( I’ve been seeing those upper 160s & low 170s too much lately. Today, DECEMBER 1st, is day one for me….again! I have been thinking I need to get serious again and what happened Saturday was just the key, so sit tight and read along!</p> <p>My sisters and I had breakfast together Saturday morning after Thanksgiving with my Grandma. When I got there they were all talking about about the “bet” and who was going to win. So of course, I wanted to hear what this was all about. Lo and behold, it was about weight loss! They originally wanted to do a certain # of lbs, but I said we should do percentages, which in turn ended up being more weight for me to lose! lol In the long run it will be good for me! We settled on 8% and $20. So whoever loses 8% of their body weight first gets paid $20 by the other three sisters! Bring on the challenge sisters!! I’m ready to be back to my slimmer self!!! :) And beating my sisters wouldn’t be too bad either!!</p> <p>Without further ado, here is my day of eats!</p> <p>I started out the day hitting snooze and wanting to stay in bed with Kyle rather than go to the gym. Great start to the challenge, Darci!!!! lol But the extra cuddle time with my man was nice! It will have to last me all week ‘cause I’m hitting the gym the rest of the mornings this week!!!</p> <p>I had a <strong>small banana</strong> on the drive to work for <strong>1 point</strong>. I love little bananas. Kyle thinks it funny that I always look for the little bananas instead of the big ones when I’m picking them out at the grocery store!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOTikDy3oNVZAS83fOM5C8fCGLJ1JHq3dQxHGup8BgcbyPtMuv7goHA3XMkfQSj1YxfOzl3Mf8jW_sQAx5PfVLrr_Q4bIsyA9IkHd0ygrfxauxuS-AZ7d-iZIeh4B_NR46qYYWWbu_X3u/s1600-h/DSC05159%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05159" border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8HSJI7H3DefXrvP5VcQ8wHOJWuiwftNhMa6HwRDlE7QZULH324DeE6pkRzdqaCXuRO0O9PDG3dsxkxxa2VGzFOSxxU4z3DqwmSx_2ijRU6WWZ2EmEk8SdbY2JqD22TFujwY5PLlFXmFY/?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="DSC05159" width="604" /></a> </p> <p>When I got to work I made a quick bowl of <strong>oatmeal</strong> and added a few <strong>blueberries </strong>for <strong>2 points</strong>. These blueberries had been in  my freezer way too long and ruined my breakfast. I ate the majority of the oatmeal, but it wasn’t good! Note to self: throw out blueberries & buy new ones!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUQqPuIQKJ4yAzup_f8FMA9dOGe4dwS4PCf8e3sHMz3KSAhQb6h0SUwmLs_sf7kbqzQsdbF2kYy9_ku2q8sotB6n9BI6iIN0OQuzwT7zmQkRgvmEDX67PS2zAZDAz3a0h_E8OYMxDgGOv/s1600-h/DSC05160%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05160" border="0" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVT84CzEFsQOe6AGI5nWalDmnaPK5yISSvITtwirEplp5h5VYfkDHQBewKPID150DLDMVg8HcGppS4KRLwwaI95teosIISSpnjbgpp3GdGbskBRXC0GpynzkSLmR6UN3jBW1ktl9to1xN/?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="DSC05160" width="504" /></a> </p> <p>I also had<strong> 2 clementines</strong> for <strong>1 point</strong> with my breakfast. I love the fact that you can have 2 for only 1 point!! And boy were they good, super sweet & citrus-ey!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BreL6nqKVpjNZj2ptNXUXtW982s6HhNyKdVcDbz_fH0_krWcftf_6WeAspYCYy33mRS3-AF96CJzervwCWlyNvrBLz2x5f0QN5luxuaznyZtRk7dRgyH3YTzX3oiAMvFm9qKwFQM4EQ5/s1600-h/DSC05161%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05161" border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwt21NrZecLpRL0LJ6QojdyCDYKrfzTynIu-6eLL_eGo2ghn0eEIIxAC0mbYi26uunv1-genYirWj-gbTq30I6sqsSQAz9iaYU_sP31ioh5DWz2bYGlD8_SRcsxM0vPhznAtQNiKUbqNm2/?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="DSC05161" width="604" /></a></p> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="778" border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td align="center" width="336"><font size="3">I couldn’t wait for my morning snack. I know you guys are used to seeing this, but it’s a been a while since I have had my “<strong>morning mush</strong>”!! Strawberries really aren’t a fall berry and haven’t been too good or on sale at the grocery store. They were on Sunday, $2/pound! Kyle and I stocked up, I think we got 5 or 6 1lb containers! I thoroughly enjoyed my morning snack for <strong>3 points</strong>!</font></td> <td valign="top" width="440"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUuIaNwakycALJ6xB2aeX4e_uxu7AcT8kSWcWydwf8A75Wxa7yjsRIUUZ0F6o8p5fIn96F_a2tSjuOXiTXEk7AAHTo4_6V84USGBDGTHvY_Ns2mB4hVDjuPYXU_laYnzCKmVUITduymDVg/s1600-h/DSC05163%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05163" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdyBZ60eiCaRCwmMwErbXme3QLT16mTT2A83Dc4jzA5r1kkC-pLH-zSV3oDTkgoRAe3yi-1E4VUjYwToHcRi2nDQ0J0nzimnl1YTB5_3-lqk5huDX96kxzzgKTuuTqSULPx6Jm2DA_NU9p/?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="DSC05163" width="403" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKEv83GEUbEOWg0HvmNiD1kqMoHIcKcDtXFQnasxQsiLPSPZ8miohpYNErGzReVZtGeVs354AkFwc8biQF2Df46qrjIZIZEKBydFsnYYSocQr2WajeM96_zeiSId5c0HkU6WeCxvAfVvj/s1600-h/DSC05164%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05164" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-iSZ1vixHH3WlzPI3sxHfFs3JlOxe9Xee_btulumcj7l20N_Qynq23YdQgFKWEpjKcW5Qn2q_4NChESVPH97AADZ9dWHDX0HtNDN182ZlW0d-azx1sf_I7KRYaPxGkyyHau_kUzTdQXx/?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="DSC05164" width="403" /></a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p>I had a full plate for lunch today and I enjoyed every inch of it! It was fill with a <strong>sliced golden delicious apple, broccoli w/cheese, and a turkey & cheese sandwich</strong> totaling <strong>5 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdoKQY4SI4RWYY3eZqSFuX3tCQtRjt7W4DDUD9c5QOOlW8LbrrCyE-bDpXh-ghcglNAE8j3e6gbl9WT1APQoMhPKYN9XYvaYOfHe7WXCWNdDftULduwghM3gZnWhMVKGzMAVcvzeqkfY09/s1600-h/DSC05165%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05165" border="0" height="473" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj05FXOqyIKkld5PFt-05EdhGmyPPW8gR8j2sL4evnzVajpj-K1bUONGUH9jurpaSZ5KAPISKtCdinyiCgGjQw16LrC6alNa8prLOwJ822dZ4vs_Bs4wjTtQE-N-KXCjDcdXgs2FEDT5oz/?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="DSC05165" width="629" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>I packed a quick gym bag over my lunch break so I could get a sweat session in after work since I slept in this morning! My afternoon at work FLEW by, which is always good! Afterwards I hit the gym for a great <strong>45 minutes</strong> on the <strong>elliptical</strong> and <strong>10 minutes</strong> of<strong> abs</strong>. Boy was I soaked with sweat by the end of that! I love being back in the gym, but definitely prefer morning work outs, the gym is less busy and not as stinky! ;)</p> <p>Kyle had to work late tonight so I made supper for 1! Someone mentioned macaroni and cheese at work earlier today at work and it had been in my  head ever since. So I decided to make a “lighter” version of that for supper tonight. My mac n cheese consisted of<strong> 2 oz</strong> of the <strong>light velveeta</strong>, <strong>3 oz whole wheat pasta</strong>, and lots of <strong>broccoli</strong> for a total of <strong>8 points</strong>. This was quite a large serving and very filling!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Gg8ebOrqmRTWEQLgC5fHXla_KEdDtUHfk9X-GPY0TO6QDrS35Kjw9_nniGS9kHhVNVxIsqB9khHd3e6l-rb1VWd6pQf2uGeZBSaUM5w8RTIHuDlkOWohVzS_1Nv-DRlNaaS6oDJn5TKn/s1600-h/DSC05166%5B3%5D.jpg"> <img alt="DSC05166" border="0" height="473" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWijFkhAIF_Lpxo-pKlFCCIDqDhpo8vjb52-Vf2n_Nhtwzj1dgLMRjiGKGqOAFR7kOtKzpLvlcaX3-OS3CDNul5JaLXdFJ-7rCSdkzHmP2YLNvF7lxIWC7-jVlsOO3Dgs1LV3_Ia8-7U6V/?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="DSC05166" width="629" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><strong></strong></p> <p><strong>TUEASDAY'S STATS</strong> <br />POINTS = 20/24 <br />WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 35/35  <br />WATER = 125 oz <br />ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED  = 7 today/7 week <br />EXERCISE = 45 min elliptical, 10 min abs</p>

The Sister Challenge is On!!!

Hello everyone and Happy December! I know my blogging since June has been VERY sporadic, but I’m back now!! I know blogging my daily eats &a...

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White Christmas (Tree)

For years, we have had a family issue: the Christmas tree. Linda always wanted an artificial tree. I have no idea why. I don't get it. I insisted on -- and for decades have prevailed -- a big green real tree that smells like the woods. Until now.<br /><br />These days live, more or less, in Las Vegas. Tinsel town in the desert. The kingdom of kitsch. A classic Chrismas tree here would be trying for something from another planet. So I did more than relent. I swung the other way. I proposed a small artificial tree in flamingo pink. Linda would not have it. She wanted artifical green. (I still don't get it.) So I suggested a silver tree for the silver state. She wasn't buying it. So I said, ok a white artificial tree. She was not persuaded.<br /><br />Last night, we were innocently watching the Monk Marathon on dvr. About 9:30, the doorbell rang. When I opened the door, there was an Advent miracle. It was a white Chistmas tree!!!! No one to be seen. I went all the way outside and looked up and down the street. No one there. But on our porch: A trunk of white plastic pipe, limbs of white plastic rods, white wires twined about the limbs to suggest something like vegetation but also vaguely reminiscent of fence wire -- and the wires leading to dainty little light bulbs -- pink, blue, green, white, and orange. It was plugged in and shining away on our porch in front of the bust of Palas Athena who looked shocked, her lips parted in wonder.<br /><br />At first I did not know what to make of it. Then I took it inside and plugged it into a wall socket in the den. There it glows, even to this day.<br /><br />Who could have been the giver of this wonderful gift! It is our first Las Vegas Christmas tree. We have not had a tree at all the past 2 Christmases. Now this!!! I am beside myself. Linda is bemusedly tolerant.

White Christmas (Tree)

For years, we have had a family issue: the Christmas tree. Linda always wanted an artificial tree. I have no idea why. I don't get it. I...

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Turning Job Hunting Into 'Job Getting'

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/vj/ar5c50379v2zt3114bvj.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/vj/ar5c50379v2zt3114bvj.gif" yr="true" /></a><br /></div>Often, when job seekers come across job ads that interest them, they immediately submit their résumés and cover letters to the employers. Then they wait, wondering if their submission will develop into an interview opportunity or if it will slip into a black hole and never resurface again.<br /><br />Unfortunately, this process is one of the least effective ways to achieve momentum in the job search, says Richard Deems, Ph.D., co-author of "Make Job Loss Work for You."<br /><br />Instead, he encourages individuals to work through his five-step Deems JobGetting SkillsTM System to ensure their job hunting progresses into job getting.<br /><br />"This system takes an entirely different approach from what job seekers may have been taught in the past," Deems says. "It starts with a simple difference: Before applying for a position, job seekers should find out as much as they can about the position to see if they're interested in doing what needs to be done. Of course, people who do this won't apply for as many positions as does the typical job hunter. But then, why should they waste time and energy on something they don't really want in the first place?" <br /><br />Below are the five steps Deems says job seekers must take to achieve success, no matter what level position, occupation or industry they are targeting.<br /><br />Step one: Research the position<br />"When you hear of a position that interests you, contact the person who has the authority to hire you," Deems says. "That's really the only person you want to get in front of. You tell that person that you understand he or she may have a position open, and if so, you'd like to talk about their needs in detail." <br /><br />If the job ad fails to name the appropriate person to reach out to, job seekers can call the company directly, look at the company's Web site or browse articles and blog posts on the Internet about the employer.<br /><br />Deems says job seekers' goals in this step should be to:<br />· Get their name to the decision maker. <br />· Learn more about the position than other candidates will know.<br />· Decide whether this is a position they want to pursue.<br /><br />Step two: Research the organization<br />Before they apply for a position, job seekers should know a great deal of information, including the organization's history, products or services, past mergers or acquisitions, locations, environment and key leaders.<br /><br />To gather this information, Deems suggests that job seekers:<br />· Ask the decision maker to send them a copy of the annual report or other pertinent material about the company (if it's not available online).<br />· Use the Internet to research the organization. Visit Web sites such as the company's press room, investor relations links and blogs.<br />· Use their network (both offline and online) to find someone already in the company. Ask that person what he thinks of the company -- pros and cons.<br /><br />Step three: Evaluate your strengths and interests<br />"After you've explored the position and the company, you need to stop, evaluate and make a decision," Deems says. "Does the job call for what you do best and most enjoy doing? Will the workplace environment enable you to be your best? Do you want the job or not? One way to evaluate the position is to chart it out, listing your criteria for selecting the position and how this opportunity fits your criteria." <br /><br />Step four: Design your positioning strategy<br />Next, job seekers should contact the key decision maker in the hiring process and let that individual know they want to be considered the top candidate. Then, job seekers should ask what they need to do to make that happen.<br /><br />Often, the decision maker will simply ask to see the job seeker's résumé, but job seekers can do more to ensure they stand out from other candidates, Deems says.<br /><br />"Your positioning plan needs to go beyond the résumé. You need to do things that will keep your name in front of the decision maker, even as that person is reviewing other résumés. To do this, you might need to follow up on your résumé, ask someone in your network to make a call on your behalf and so on. Also, take time to write down what steps you need to take," he explains.<br /><br />Step five: Implement<br />Deems says job seekers should do three things when they're ready to implement their positioning plan. They are:<br />· Assemble your application package according to the instructions of the person who has the authority to hire you.<br />· Deliver your package in person, if possible. If you cannot deliver your application in person, send it via e-mail or regular mail -- or both.<br />· Follow up. Wait two or three days for the employer to receive your application package; then call to ensure it was received. At that time, have questions prepared to ask the hiring contact and also try to arrange a time to sit down and talk with him or her in person.<br /><br />Some of these steps may intimidate job seekers at first, but it's a proactive and effective way to achieve results in the job hunt. "The candidates who are out on the streets meeting and talking with people are the ones who maintain their energy and confidence," Deems says. "Those who sit back at home and merely mail out their résumés are often those who get discouraged. Sure, they'll eventually get hired. But the process is likely to drag on much longer than it needs to, and the position may be less satisfying than it could be."<br /><br />*More information about the Deems JobGetting SkillsTM System can be found in "Make Job Loss Work for You."<br /><br />Selena Dehne is a career writer for JIST Publishing who shares the latest occupational, career and job search information available with job seekers and career changers. She is also the author of JIST's Job Search and Career Blog (http://jistjobsearchandcareer.blogspot.com/).

Turning Job Hunting Into 'Job Getting'

Often, when job seekers come across job ads that interest them, they immediately submit their résumés and cover letters to the employers. Th...

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Greetings from California

<strong>Work</strong><br />I'm in Oakland for my job, another deployment that has gone awry. It's 2 a.m. and essentially the entire counter and gates are down right now and none of the "experts" can figure out how to get it all working.<br /><br />You would think by now, this being our seventh city doing this, that we would all have it figured out. Unfortunately, that's not the case. Every airport is different, different network setups, different systems. I just hope we can get it all working by 5 a.m. when the counter opens...or it will be hell. I'm not even sure how we can function without computers and printers.<br /><br /><strong>Diet and Exercise</strong><br />My eating is on track. I lost a pound since yesterday, so I'm back to my pre-Thanksgiving, and pre-death in the family weight. I'm still up 20 pounds from where I was a couple months ago, but I'm working on it.<br /><br />My hotel is pretty nice, and my room is gorgeous. I'm in the new section with the new gym., which I haven't been able to check out yet (later , if I ever make it back to my hotel). I'm in a suite with a microwave and fridge. I even packed a bunch of my own food for sandwiches and snacks. I'm sick to death of eating out, plus I don't always make the best choices even if there are good choices to make.<br /><br />Well, that's it. Not much new. Still sitting here waiting for my network guys to figure out this mess. It's 2:16 a.m. and I'm exhausted. I just want to sleep.

Greetings from California

Work I'm in Oakland for my job, another deployment that has gone awry. It's 2 a.m. and essentially the entire counter and gates are ...

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7 Things You Should Have Said at the Job Interview

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/hm/ar5c7yl7406cxbnxz9hm.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/hm/ar5c7yl7406cxbnxz9hm.gif" yr="true" /></a><br /></div>One common complaint among job seekers is that they go on interview after interview and never receive a job offer. If you fit into this category, consider the possibility that you might be unknowingly sabotaging yourself by offering a weak interview performance.<br /><br />Below are typical interview scenarios, common job-seeker mistakes and the best way to manage each situation.<br /><br />Scenario No. 1: The interviewer came out swinging, asking tough but appropriate questions regarding a professional hiccup: your employment gap and job-hopping image. The question either left you stuttering with an incoherent message or sounding defensive because you were confrontational.<br />What you should have said: When the interviewer read your résumé, she knew about your job- search challenge and invited you in for an interview. As such, your hiccup wasn't a deal breaker, but a negative response could be one. Explain your situation without getting emotional or hotheaded by saying, "In the past I made the mistake of accepting a position based on salary alone. That mindset led to hopping from one job to another, because I was never completely satisfied. Now, I'm looking to work for a company where I'm compensated well and the company values complement mine."<br /><br />Scenario No. 2: The interviewer asked, "Why should I hire you?" You listed strengths that align with the open position. Although there's nothing technically wrong with your response, you could have taken your answer a step further.<br />What you should have said: "That's a fair question. Instead of providing a canned response, I'd like to participate in an audition interview so you can see my work ethic firsthand." An audition interview is when you perform the tasks of the position as though you were hired. This way, the hiring manager can see your performance before extending an official job offer.<br /><br />Scenario No. 3: "Why are you looking to leave your existing position?" is another typical question, one that you were expecting but weren't quite sure how to address. Your motive is grounded in bad feelings, and you blurt out, "My boss is out to get me. I'm tired of being looked over for promotions."<br />What you should have said: Honesty is always the best policy when answering interview questions. There is a difference, however, between shooting yourself in the foot and providing a straightforward response. If you're leaving a position because of office politics, the interviewer doesn't need to know the specifics. As a result, a neutral response such as, "I've advanced as far as I can with ABC Co. So I'm looking for a position where I can manage a larger territory and bring in lucrative accounts," works well because it's truthful without oversharing.<br /><br />Scenario No. 4: Since the average person searches for a new job about every two years, the interviewer wanted to know how long you planned to stay with the company if hired. Not sure how to respond, you said, "Until retirement." At first blush, the response sounds like a good one, because you're making a commitment to the hiring organization. But the response comes off as brown-nosing and not entirely believable in today's environment.<br />What you should have said: Show your ambition alongside your dedication by saying, "I plan on staying on board as long as I'm contributing to the department and growing professionally."<br /><br />Scenario No. 5: You committed an interview misstep by arriving late. Nervous, you rambled with a long excuse, bringing prolonged attention to your blunder.<br />What you should have said: Apologize and move on quickly. Extend your hands and say, "My apologies for my late arrival. I'm enthusiastic about the position and am looking forward to discussing how my accomplishments support the open requirements."<br /><br />Scenario No. 6: Toward the end of the interview, you were given an opportunity to raise questions. You asked typical questions, such as, "How soon do you expect to make a decision?" but stopped short of asking for the job outright.<br />What you should have said: "Based on today's conversation, do you have any reservations about extending me a job offer? If the interviewer provides a reason for hesitation, resell your qualifications. If the interviewer says "no," respond with, "I'm interested in the position. Can I have the job?" You'll be surprised that many will hire you contingent on a referral check.<br /><br />Scenario No. 7: At one point during the interview you were asked about your salary requirements. Based on advice you read over and over again, you throw back the question by asking, "What's the budget for the position?" Unfortunately, you did this one too many times, and the interviewer became irritated.<br />What you should have said: It's acceptable to avoid answering the salary question one or two times, but answer the question when asked a third time. You can provide a range by saying, "Based on the responsibilities of the job and my proven success in driving profits, I'm looking for compensation within the $60,000 to $75,000 range."<br /><br />With the right responses, you can turn those awkward interview situations around and land the job you want.<br /><br />By Linda Matias, JCTC, CIC, NCRW, is the author of the new book "201 Knockout Answers to Tough Interview Questions: The Ultimate Guide to Handling the New Competency-Based Interview Style" (Amacom 2009). As the president of CareerStrides, a career consulting firm, Matias coaches clients on effective interview techniques. For additional information visit: www.careerstrides.com

7 Things You Should Have Said at the Job Interview

One common complaint among job seekers is that they go on interview after interview and never receive a job offer. If you fit into this cate...

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Acing a Job Interview After 50

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/ph/ar5f5pz6wk9k2hqhrlph.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/ph/ar5f5pz6wk9k2hqhrlph.gif" yr="true" /></a><br /></div>"I was fully qualified and it makes no sense." <br /><br />"They simply don't know how to hire." <br /><br />"They told me that I was overqualified." <br /><br />Randy Block, a seasoned career transition coach and consultant in the Bay Area, hears these comments often. <br /><br />If you're an "older" job hunter, more than likely you already know that the ultracompetitive job search process in today's economy is especially hard on you. Part of the challenge you're facing is a major generation gap between baby boomer job hunters and the Gen X hiring managers of today. As Block noted, "30-somethings don't want to hire their parents. Unfortunately, that's how we often come across -- as their parents."<br /><br />You can succeed during interviews with younger hiring managers, but you'll want to think and act differently. Here are five areas to start with:<br /><br />Show passion for your work<br />Relationships are based on shared values, which make up most of what we call chemistry, Block says. Chemistry is enhanced when we meet others who have a shared interest. This extends to your work, profession or industry. If there is little passion or commitment from you for your work, how can you expect others to get excited during the interview? On the other hand, if you consider yourself driven or committed to what you do for a living, you'll most likely meet up with a hiring manager who has a shared interest in the same area. This, in fact, may be a new area for you as you undergo a possible career change. It gives you the opportunity to take your transferable skills and put them to use in some new ways for a different industry. If you're genuinely excited about your possibilities, your excitement can be contagious, especially during your interview. <br /><br />Sell your brand<br />The best way to prepare for an interview is to start with a focus and brand that sells you. Develop a personal brand statement for yourself, a simple sentence that offers three important selling points about you. First, it should say who you are. Second, it should offer your biggest strength(s) and third, it should offer the biggest benefit that you would bring to your next employer. <br /><br />The purpose of your brand is to go beyond mere duties and job descriptions and get to the "what's in it for them" benefit that will make the employer sit up and take notice. <br /><br />Being 'led' versus being managed<br />Another disparity that needs to be addressed, according to Block, is the fact that boomers want to be "led" and not managed. In his coaching practice, he found that most 30-something managers look for someone they can manage. In coaching sessions with young managers, he observed that their leadership skills typically lag behind their management skills. <br /><br />If you're a boomer, take note and realize that you might not get the visionary leader you hoped for in your next hiring manager. Block has discovered that most young managers need help and guidance. They actually appreciate being mentored, coached or advised. They recognize the need, but look at it as a temporary or project-based opportunity. <br /><br />This is an opportunity to sell yourself as a consultant whose many years of expertise can be useful in the role of a temporary coach or mentor. This may be a great meld between the "management versus leadership" dichotomy. This also increases your opportunities, since companies are hiring more consultants in this economic downturn. As the economy improves, that 1099 contract could well turn into a salaried position.<br /><br />Think 'tactical' versus 'strategic'<br />According to Block and other employment analysts, many companies today view their short-term survival needs as having paramount importance. They're looking for players who can hit the ground now and help them grunt through the next six to nine months. That will require a change in your marketing approach as phrases such as "long-term" and "strategic" won't have the sales impact of a year ago. Rather than emphasize the long haul in your résumé and interview marketing, look instead at selling yourself as an expert who can get in and fix the problems of today quickly and efficiently. Downplay any talk about long-range solutions and instead focus on clear, results-oriented achievements for short-range problems.<br /><br />Talk money<br />Money talks and it talks loudly. Money can also trump age, so try to get as close to the money as you can [TS1] when you describe who you are and what you bring to the table. <br /><br />Keep in mind that all organizations have only two basic needs: revenue and productivity. This is what keeps any top manager up at night. If you can help them, they will seek your advice and counsel. Therefore, come to the interview armed with specific examples of how you can solve their money (or productivity) problem. Your past achievements are examples of how to tackle the similar problems they're faced with today. If you can show yourself to be the problem-solver they need, you'll quickly rise to the shortlist of candidates. Your goal is to become the "go-to" person for their short-term revenue or productivity problems.<br /><br />Summary<br />Gen X managers need your help. Your working relationship will likely begin as either part time or a short-term contract but can extend into full time once you've proven yourself. Focus on ways you can help their short term "survivability" through this recession and get as close as you can to their revenue or productivity concerns. Talk money and how you can help them produce immediate results. A younger manager would have to be shortsighted not to explore a working relationship with someone more experienced. Capitalize on your wealth of experience to make a positive difference in the lives and careers of the Gen Xers.<br /><br />By Joe Turner a former recruiter, who spent 15 years finding and placing top candidates in some of the best jobs of their careers. The author of "Job Search Secrets Unlocked" and "Paycheck 911," Joe also hosts his weekly "Job Search Guy Radio Show" on JobRadio.fm as well as other locations. You'll find Joe's free tips and advice on landing a job in this tough economy at: http://www.jobchangesecrets.com.

Acing a Job Interview After 50

"I was fully qualified and it makes no sense." "They simply don't know how to hire." "They told me that I was o...

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Post Thanksgiving update

<div align="center"></div><div align="center">Alaskan Snow Puppies (my sister's two Bichon Frises) </div><div align="center"></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcoouDhIhraklbln5Rse-UusTvizeX42L5Dx6vRRyXZsdw3Uk4_zPWQkij_kItoKIqBC5FZYJ_KbgSoEEmS95Uf65zbBzd3OJMviU2C4Val_vuaRKMf09cTfQz3N1qG8z3WwrWppgu_Hy7/s1600/Alaskan+Snow+Puppies.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409628356699899666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcoouDhIhraklbln5Rse-UusTvizeX42L5Dx6vRRyXZsdw3Uk4_zPWQkij_kItoKIqBC5FZYJ_KbgSoEEmS95Uf65zbBzd3OJMviU2C4Val_vuaRKMf09cTfQz3N1qG8z3WwrWppgu_Hy7/s400/Alaskan+Snow+Puppies.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> </p><p align="center">View from the road my sister lives on - the Tanana River near North Pole, Alaska (at 3pm)</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04x8EgGHsTKSdF0q9q3s2sHKrfRCq-slhhJPaWzM7B3NjdUUSJibmPpOrR4BeFkrjvwfUodvASJSTOboNKXYP3bBRI-JcgXGEdU4cwC5_oiLHds7UKQmD1iVFvrOqJFNskTit3IyrH2qv/s1600/Tanana2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409628353858717570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04x8EgGHsTKSdF0q9q3s2sHKrfRCq-slhhJPaWzM7B3NjdUUSJibmPpOrR4BeFkrjvwfUodvASJSTOboNKXYP3bBRI-JcgXGEdU4cwC5_oiLHds7UKQmD1iVFvrOqJFNskTit3IyrH2qv/s400/Tanana2.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /> <p align="center"></a>Tanana River</p><p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5djFmnlP2285QNEbajCuuMYg5BafGGb0RTGDPZf9IQlxymRhBEuYO5utQgj3dMxTkycC_GErYwdpiIox6bkZgn6pekNYO-bEFQGnYpx9y9sTQ00vocYJSU6snPEhBJhtynCIdwzhdhiuT/s1600/Tanana+River.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409628341735440002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5djFmnlP2285QNEbajCuuMYg5BafGGb0RTGDPZf9IQlxymRhBEuYO5utQgj3dMxTkycC_GErYwdpiIox6bkZgn6pekNYO-bEFQGnYpx9y9sTQ00vocYJSU6snPEhBJhtynCIdwzhdhiuT/s400/Tanana+River.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />I'm back home. I had a really good week with my sister and her family, and my brother. A lot of visiting, remembering the good times with my brother-in-law. A few tears, but more laughter than tears. Although leaving was really hard it was wonderful to sleep in my own bed last night. I'm glad to be home.</p><p align="left">I weighed on my home scales this morning. I'm up .6 pounds. That's slightly over 1/2 pound. Instead of beating myself up for not losing weight, which was my goal, I'm actually kind of happy it's only 6/10ths of a pound. It could have been so much worse.<br /><br />I worked out on the treadmill and with the weights for at least an hour five of the eight days I was in Fairbanks, and went for a two hour walk on the last day (it was 30 degrees - spring time weather!). I ate healthy every day until after dinner. Then the cookie, candy and ice cream monster took control, and I made some really poor choices.<br /><br />Unfortunately for me, all the treats on hand for the grandkids are all my favorite things. Ranger cookies, chocolate chip cookies, sugar cookies with frosting, cranberry cookies with oatmeal and white chocolate chips, every kind of candy imaginable, as well as several flavors of ice cream (we're talking about at least six 1/2 gallons of different flavors). Also, the pièce de résistance is my sister's homemade whole wheat bread. It's healthy, but eaten in large quantities with butter, it's not so healthy.<br /><br />Where does this put me in my plan to get to my goal of 135? Obviously I'm not on plan at all since my plan was to get to goal by the end of the year. Today it's back to counting Points and back to the gym. Even though my weight has been going the wrong direction, I'm not giving up, and I'm not beating myself up. I feel more determined than ever to get back on track.<br /><br />~Diana<br />176.2</p>

Post Thanksgiving update

Alaskan Snow Puppies (my sister's two Bichon Frises) View from the road my sister lives on - the Tanana River near North Pole, Alaska (...

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Planning de la semaine du 30 novembre au 04 décembre 2009

<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 30 novembre de 9h à 12h30<br />- le mardi 1er décembre de 9h à 12h30 et de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le mercredi 02 décembre de 13h30 à 17h<br />- le jeudi 03 décembre de 13h30 à 17h<br />- le vendredi 04 décembre de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2007/11/solidarits-nouvelles-face-au-chmage.html">Solidarités Nouvelles face au Chômage</a></strong><br />- mercredi 02 décembre de 10h à 12h30<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 04 décembre de 9h 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 1er décembre de 9h à 12h30<br /><br /><li><strong>Lettre de Motivation </strong>- mardi 1er décembre de 13h30 à 17h<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> - jeudi 03 décembre de 10h à 12h<br /><br /><li><strong>Préparation à l'entretien</strong> - jeudi 03 décembre de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong>Pôle-emploi.fr</strong> - vendredi 04 décembre de 10h à 11h30</ul>

Planning de la semaine du 30 novembre au 04 décembre 2009

Permanences Le Conseil Général du Loiret sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans - le lundi 30 no...

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