DivaStyleCoach

PJTP...Hi Everyone! :thumbup: Thanks, Plain - I'll pick some up this weekend to try. Definately the vanilla for me... So good to hear things are moving forward for you, Fanny! I was considering doing the surgery this year, but after a consultation with a surgeon, I've decided to hold off. Mostly because of finances - there just isn't enough in the budget right now with college bills, and my DD comes first with me. Plus, this will give me a chance to see what I can do with my workouts to continue re-shaping my body, and I'm still about 25 lbs from my goal weight. My DH actually admitted he was worried about me possibly having surgery this year because he's afraid I may be changing too much too fast for my body to handle it. Funny what they will admit when they think it's "safe" to do so... Hi again! Have fun at the fundraising event - and have a wonderful dinner! Enjoying the relatively mild weather we've gotten the past couple of days, hoping it goes through until the weekend. Nursing a sore right hip the last two days - think I overdid it just a tad on my 5k, but I've been walking so I don't get too stiff. My DH teasingly says it's arthritis - I'm hoping not! I think I'm too young (at 46) to be dealing with that... Still getting smaller (not lighter, but smaller) and it's kinda nice, but kinda weird at the same time. Work has been quiet, which is very nice. School has started up again and is keeping me busy. DH is running for the school board in our community and that's keeping the entire family busy. Whew! I think I'm tired just typing this, let alone living it! :crying:

Hi arkansasbandster, Thank you so much for the compliment! I was a little leery of trying to run as well - I started the c25k at over 200 lbs - but by taking it slow, I was able to do it just fine. Don't be afraid to repeat a week if you need to, and make sure to get fitted for GOOD running shoes. Since you've said your joints do hurt, definately take it easy - I'd hate for an injury to sideline you for a while and slow down your progress. @jollygreen thank you! I was (and am) really excited that I finished the race. Think I'll try a 10k next spring, depending on how my training goes this winter...yep, I'm a little bit crazy! LOL

Hi Everyone! I'm happy to report that I started and finished the Couch-to-5k running program, and on Saturday, October 17th, I ran my first 5k race! It was called the Penguin 5k, and raises funds for the Penguins at Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut. Since I'd completed the Couch-to-5k program - a 9 week program that takes you from walking and no running to running 3 miles - I figured I was ready for a race. I took longer than 9 weeks to complete the program because I repeated some weeks when I felt I wasn't ready. That was one of the smartest things I've ever done - it let me complete the program injury-free. The race was fun - a bright, clear day, lots of other runners around. The course went from asphalt (roads) through a field (plowed / cleared but still bumpy and a bit muddy from recent rains) and then up a hill (tree roots, rocks, and more soft dirt - oh my!), through a subdivision (killer hill there) and into a cul-de-sac, where we turned around and ran back. When the race started, I kinda figured I'd be at the back of the pack, so to speak, and I was right! :eek: The "rabbits" took off in a bunch - they were really fast compared to me. There were some people who walked the course, and there was me and a couple of others, running slowly and chugging along. I finished the race in 45:10 - slower than I'd thought I would, but I was happy to finish! I was second-to-last, but the cheers from my fellow racers along the way and the thumbs-up I got from the volunteers along the route helped me to feel great about finishing. :wub: I'm going to continue to run, and while I may not do another race before Winter sets in, I'm already thinking about next spring and what races I'd like to do. I have a goal to reduce my time by 10% for the next 5k. My weight is pretty stable at 191 lbs, and I'm okay with that. My size keeps dropping, though - I am now fitting into size 14's (depending on label) and some size L clothes from Target. I'm so excited I can barely stand it - these are wonderful NSV's! I think my body has to have time to adjust to what I've done to it :huh2: I'm able to control the hunger so far - though I know that's as much a function of my band, "Jillian" as it is of my "willpower". I'm eating more protein and trying to balance the carbohydrates. I'm close to getting off my diabetes meds and I'm hoping November will be not only my 1 year Bandiversary, but also the month I leave the meds behind. I'm also adjusting my "head" - occasionally I am still surprised when I walk past a mirror and see the new, thinner me. I still think of myself as "plus-sized", though I really don't fit that designation any more. I've been a Big Girl for so long that when someone refers to me as "skinny", I often don't know who they are talking about! The head journey is going to be the longest part of this - while my body is adjusting, my head also needs to adjust, and so far, my head is lagging behind... Right now I am nursing a sore right hip - think I overdid it a bit on the race but that's not going to stop me from continuing to run and continuing to run this race to fitness and health. If you are not yet banded, I encourage you to do your research and determine if this is right for you. If you are banded and struggling, talk to your doctor, your nutritionist or a counselor, and get yourself back on track - you CAN succeed at this! If you are loving your banded life as I am, and making progress toward your ultimate goal of health and well-being, then GOOD FOR YOU and keep up the good work! Till next time...:wub:

Hi Everyone! I'm happy to report that I started and finished the Couch-to-5k running program, and on Saturday, October 17th, I ran my first 5k race! It was called the Penguin 5k, and raises funds for the Penguins at Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut. Since I'd completed the Couch-to-5k program - a 9 week program that takes you from walking and no running to running 3 miles - I figured I was ready for a race. I took longer than 9 weeks to complete the program because I repeated some weeks when I felt I wasn't ready. That was one of the smartest things I've ever done - it let me complete the program injury-free. The race was fun - a bright, clear day, lots of other runners around. The course went from asphalt (roads) through a field (plowed / cleared but still bumpy and a bit muddy from recent rains) and then up a hill (tree roots, rocks, and more soft dirt - oh my!), through a subdivision (killer hill there) and into a cul-de-sac, where we turned around and ran back. When the race started, I kinda figured I'd be at the back of the pack, so to speak, and I was right! :eek: The "rabbits" took off in a bunch - they were really fast compared to me. There were some people who walked the course, and there was me and a couple of others, running slowly and chugging along. I finished the race in 45:10 - slower than I'd thought I would, but I was happy to finish! I was second-to-last, but the cheers from my fellow racers along the way and the thumbs-up I got from the volunteers along the route helped me to feel great about finishing. :wub: I'm going to continue to run, and while I may not do another race before Winter sets in, I'm already thinking about next spring and what races I'd like to do. I have a goal to reduce my time by 10% for the next 5k. My weight is pretty stable at 191 lbs, and I'm okay with that. My size keeps dropping, though - I am now fitting into size 14's (depending on label) and some size L clothes from Target. I'm so excited I can barely stand it - these are wonderful NSV's! I think my body has to have time to adjust to what I've done to it :huh2: I'm able to control the hunger so far - though I know that's as much a function of my band, "Jillian" as it is of my "willpower". I'm eating more protein and trying to balance the carbohydrates. I'm close to getting off my diabetes meds and I'm hoping November will be not only my 1 year Bandiversary, but also the month I leave the meds behind. I'm also adjusting my "head" - occasionally I am still surprised when I walk past a mirror and see the new, thinner me. I still think of myself as "plus-sized", though I really don't fit that designation any more. I've been a Big Girl for so long that when someone refers to me as "skinny", I often don't know who they are talking about! The head journey is going to be the longest part of this - while my body is adjusting, my head also needs to adjust, and so far, my head is lagging behind... Right now I am nursing a sore right hip - think I overdid it a bit on the race but that's not going to stop me from continuing to run and continuing to run this race to fitness and health. If you are not yet banded, I encourage you to do your research and determine if this is right for you. If you are banded and struggling, talk to your doctor, your nutritionist or a counselor, and get yourself back on track - you CAN succeed at this! If you are loving your banded life as I am, and making progress toward your ultimate goal of health and well-being, then GOOD FOR YOU and keep up the good work! Till next time...:wub:

Welcome, BethL! That's the way I started - I was a pretty regular walker and felt I needed to step up my training to burn more calories. Doing the c25k has definately helped in that area - and also with toning. My legs are getting stronger and leaner as I continue, and I know my tummy is smaller and flatter than before I started running. While I haven't dropped a LOT of weight in the past 2 weeks, I have dropped another clothing size - and I attribute that to the running I've been doing. Congrats on starting the c25k, and on scheduling your first 5k! I just did my first - and I'm very happy I did. Keep up the good work! :thumbup:

Awww...Taps! :scared2: I was studying...I have two classes this term that are promising to cut WAY down on my free time...the first is called "Big Ideas in Science" and our professor seems to think that two hours a day is okay study / review time! :huh2::eek: Hello - some of us have FULL-TIME JOBS! The other class is Organizational Behavior - again, heavy reading and lots of interactive stuff I have to do for class. **heavy sigh** On top of that, I've got laundry to fold, I need to wash and set my hair, and I've still got clothes to wash... Looks like I'll be up for a while yet, but probably not on the computer...sorry I missed ya, girlfriend! :cursing:

Hi Bill! I definately FEEL you on the cold running thing...I know I need to keep going...since I run at 5 am, it's been getting colder and colder, and I want to go out there less. This is a weird week - my DH is working midnights, so he's not able to go with me until later this week. I plan to run tomorrow, as long as it stays dry. Going to invest in some winter gear, though - I do miss it when I don't get out there...hopefully that will carry me through the winter! :thumbup:

PJTP...Good morning PJTP'ers! :sneaky: Tap - take good care of yourself. Maybe a day off is in order...I had a brief bout with a flu-like illness a couple of weeks ago. Stayed home one day, took my meds, and have been fine since. Watched 60 Minutes last night with DH and got such a scare - they talked about the H1N1 virus and how tough it can be on some people. They profiled a young man - high school athlete, in great shape, who came down with it and had to be put on a respirator at one point. Don't let your resistance and your strength get too low, Taps - take a day now and regain your strength! Heartfire - that goes for you too! Maybe its just a temporary case of the 'blues' but in any case, pamper yourself a bit and I hope you feel better very soon! :thumbup: Bristlecone - Hi! I love your dog's name (Truffles) and a hike in the mountains sounds beautiful this time of year. Welcome to PJTP - come back often! NSV - currently wearing a size 14W dress I bought from Spiegel - it's part of their "Shape FX" line and helps smooth me out...it's the smallest size I've worn in quite a while. :scared2: A friend referred to me as "melting" - funny visual for me, but partially the truth! I am enjoying getting smaller - and even dealing with the different 'figure problems' is not so bad. Me and spanx are getting to be good friends...:eek: I had thought this year would be the time for me to look into plastic surgery, but the money just isn't there...especially with DD going out-of-state to school next fall, I've got to save everything I can. I'm going to keep up my workouts, eat right, take my vitamins and see what happens. My DH was a little worried about me - thinking that having the surgery so soon after my weight loss might have proven to be too much for me. I'm not so sure - I guess I'm feeling like I want it all NOW, but waiting is what I have to do, so I'm going to do it with a smile! :w00t: Everyone have a wonderful day - it's chilly here, but the sun is shining brightly and I feel great! :thumbup:

PJTP...Hi Everybody! :thumbup: Yay for you on the size 8's!:thumbup: Don't feel bad - you hauled enough wood to burn those calories off! Stand your ground, Slim - don't let her manipulate you and politely tell DH he is off his rocker if he thinks you are going to rearrange your life for HER. Sending G4E a virtual hug... (((((HUGS))))) Gumdrop cake? That sounds really good right now...had a busy weekend - after I ran my first-ever 5k, I was whooped! I don't think I posted my "race report" here on PJTP...forgive me if this is duplicative! Came in second-to-last, but I finished it! Took me just over 45 min. Why? Because it was a combination course (I think). We started on asphalt, then into a field, then through the woods and up a hill (dodging tree roots and soft soil from the previous day's rains), then back onto asphalt, up a hill that rivals the "killer hill" that I walk during my work week, then into a cul-de-sac where we turned around. Then reverse all that stuff... :ohmy::eek: I was tired by the end, but very happy. I only walked about 50 steps at the top of the "killer hill" - I ran most of it, but just couldn't make those final few steps. I'm proud of myself for finishing! :thumbup: Going back to my homework - have some reading to finish...TTYL!

...party food no longer terrifies you, because you know you're only going to eat a couple of bites of something instead of the entire tray / dish / bowl / container. ...the 'Clearance' rack with the smaller sizes becomes your go-to place for impulse shopping. ...you don't mind paying the drycleaner / seamstress / tailor to TAKE IN your clothes so that you can get a few more weeks / months out of them before replacing them. ...your local consignment shop loves to see you coming because you always drop off wonderful clothes in larger sizes, which they desperately need but can't always find. ...you are able to run without worrying about having a heart attack or spraining something because you're so much lighter! ...the elders at your church tell you that you're getting too skinny rather than praising your 'great personality' and 'willingness to serve' for a change. It's nice to be known as 'the skinny one' once in a while! Keep 'em coming! I love this thread! :confused:

Hi Bill! WTG on the half marathon! That's fantastic...you continue to inspire...:confused: I did okay on my first 5k - came in second-to-last, but I finished it! Took me just over 45 min. Why? Because it was a combination course (At least I think that was why...LOL). We started on asphalt, then into a field, then through the woods and up a hill (dodging tree roots and soft soil from the previous day's rains), then back onto asphalt, up a hill that rivals the "killer hill" that I walk during my work week, then into a cul-de-sac where we turned around. Then reverse all that stuff...I was tired by the end, but very happy. :thumbup: I only walked about 50 steps at the top of the "killer hill" - I ran most of it, but just couldn't make those final few steps. I'm proud of myself for finishing!

PJTP... Glad you're back posting on PJTP...we missed ya!

PJTP - back again! :scared2: HI SLIM! :eek::w00t::wink2: *waving wildly, grinning like a nut* What Tap said! :w00t: I actually am really looking forward to it...haven't seen most of these folks for quite a while and I do miss them. We've had our ups and downs (the organization and I) but for the most part, I do like them. Hoping for a wonderful event - side benefit - the keynote speaker is from my hometown of Detroit! I get to hear something more about "home"...though I understand it's really tough there now with the state of the auto industry...:w00t:

PJTP...Happy Friday, everyone! I saw snow last night too, Tap - and I agree, I am SO not ready! :w00t::eek::eek: "Jillian" and I are still feuding - dinner last night was an exercise in patience, praying and PB'ing...on liquids today... It's cold, windy and RAW outside...my office buildings' heat isn't working to capacity, and I'm freezing. :wink2: It's gotta get better, right? At least tonight will be fun - my local NAACP branch is having their Freedom Fund dinner tonight at Foxwoods Casino - should be fun to see everyone. I don't get to attend meetings much anymore because of my work schedule, and most of them don't know I was banded and have lost all this weight. Will be interesting... One or two people know - most notably, the family of my daughter's best friend. The mom and one of the daughters have had bypasses, and they've seen me out and about, but unless my "adopted" daughter told them about my band, they don't know what I did to lose the weight. And I've thought about it - if they ask, I'll tell 'em. It might help someone who feels as I once did that they can't find any other way to lose the weight. Maybe I can give someone hope... One side benefit of Jillian and I not playing well together is that I've lost 3 pounds this week...not exactly the way I wanted to lose it, but I'll take it! Closing in on leaving the 190's behind...yay! :scared2:

PJTP... I agree...missing everyone not here at the moment...:w00t:

PJTP... Quiet but busy day at work...lots of stuff going on. So far, no permanent fallout from the mistake I made, but I have no illusions about whether or not there WILL be fallout, just WHEN it will occur. We're at a busy time right now, so it's just wait and see. My band is tight today - probably due to stress. Though I can't say I FEEL really stressed, "Jillian" is telling me different. Even my Protein drink won't stay down right now. ***This just in*** This isn't going to help my stress level one bit...got a form letter from the local place where I interviewed and where my DH works. They are "continuing the process" with another applicant. I wasn't chosen for either position. :crying::eek::crying: I'm so disheartened right now...:thumbup:

Hi Bill and fellow Runners / Woggers / Walkers / Joggers (think I got everyone!) :eek: Still on track for my 5k this weekend...ran this morning and am feeling strong. Very few aches and pains now...just the occasional twinge in my left knee. It's been chilly out - 36 -38 degrees when I go out in the morning. Normally that would be enough to keep me from going, but I'm a RUNNER now, and I've got the race on Saturday, so my training is important to me. I never thought when I started this about 11 weeks ago that I'd be looking at doing a race! Thanks for all the encouragement - I know I've said it before, but I don't think you can thank people too much. :thumbup: Bill - the C25K folks do have a program to ramp up to an 8k (strange number) but not to a 10k. I may use their program to get me started and then just continue from there. Do you know of any conversion-type programs that will translate time on an elliptical trainer into similar time running? I know the impact will be different, because the elliptical takes the bodyweight off my feet more than street work does, but I'm hoping to continue building aerobic capacity and strength once it gets nasty underfoot. With my current work schedule, getting to a gym is next to impossible, hence my acquisition of an elliptical trainer. Suggestions?

PJTP... Absolutely rotten sort of a day...started off with a email from my supervisor - something I did honestly mess up, so of course now I'm feeling stressed about that... Follow up from the big boss regarding a change made to our merchant account, which I asked him about, he said go ahead, then said he didn't give me the approval. It's all about semantics - he said "take care of it" but did not explicitly say "change the information". Go figure...I thought "Take care of it" was approval - evidently I am mistaken. Band is tight - took me all morning to get down and Isopure protein drink, at lunch late (leftover risotto and tomato parmesan soup) and that nearly got stuck! I am SO ready for this day to be over...I can't even explain it...be glad to go home, curl up in front of the fireplace and forget all about this day... At least until the inevitable "performance" meeting gets scheduled at which time they will either give me another unpaid vacation or fire me. Still no word on the other job I had the informational meeting about last week, but yesterday was a holiday for them, so they were closed. Bright spot - tried on a wrap dress that I wore last year, and it wrapped WAY around me...still works, but it's kinda funny that it wraps so far I have no worries about a gust of wind blowing my dress open too far :biggrin: BBL...I hope! :thumbup:

Hi CC! *waving* Ya know, I just clean forgot your daughter was here, too...would you send me her id again, so I can point my daughter in her direction? They may have already connected, but I would love for her to have another banded friend online - especially one where I know what good people she comes from! :sad:

PJTP...Good morning (nearly afternoon) all! :sad: Busy morning at work...lots going on, which is why it's taken me until after 11 am to get in my first post of the day!:scared2: Yikes! :thumbup:

PJTP...Hi Everyone! *waving cheerfully* Having a terrific day! :thumbup: Went out with DH last night to a neighborhood bar / watering hole. Last time we went, there was a great DJ - lots of dancing and fun. This time, there was a local band - a little too "headbanger" for me, but okay...not much "dancing" music. ****** NSV Alert ****** Best part? Wore a purple knit mini-dress that I bought weeks ago at a size LARGE and had never worn. I've lost enough and reshaped my body enough that with the right shaper (I have a tummy fold with the loss of volume LOL) it looked really cute. Pair that with a pair of high heels (which I love) and I was ready to go! Funny enough, I was one of the few women in a dress! Everyone else had on jeans and nice tops...oh well - DH appreciated the dress VERY much...made for a nice night. Got in at 1 am, so no run this morning, but I did take DDog for an early walk, did some errands, and took him for another long walk just now with DD. My DD is in the preliminary process of getting a band - she's now on LBT as arianad09 - Y'all be nice to her! :tt1: She's already posting in the Teen forum, and has made some online buddies. We're going to an info session this upcoming week, and I'll be trying to get her in to see my doctor as soon as it can be arranged. We're trying to work around her school schedule, and getting TO the appointments is a hassle because of the distance from my home to my doc's office, but we'll make it work. I think she's ready to do this...and even if she's not, I'll be there to help her with information-gathering, etc and with making the right decision. Of course, it's not entirely up to me, and I know it's not, but I can help her whereever possible. Hope everyone is having a great weekend - no news yet on the job front, but I'm hopeful that I'll hear something next week. My DH told me that another employee's son has applied for the lower-level position, so there are two of us with the "inside track" looking for the jobs. There are two openings - a higher-level one, which I think I'm more qualified for, and a lower-level one, which I would certainly take if asked, but might be better suited for the young man mentioned earlier. Keep praying / wishing / sending good thoughts my way - I can use all the positive help I can get! :tt2:

Hey Bill! You definately rock! I agree with krtork - you are an inspiration! I wanted to check in and let everyone know that I've officially "completed" the Couch-to-5k program. I ran 3 miles without stopping the past two running days (Tuesday and Thursday this week) and I couldn't be happier. When I started this, I could NOT have run 3 blocks, let alone 3 miles. I could walk it, but not run it. Now I'm very comfortable running those 3 miles. I'm now working on speed - staying on pace with whatever music is playing on my iPhone, which is upbeat, steady-tempo stuff. I'm curious - is there a program to take ya from a 5k to a 10k? I'm not quite sure I'm ready for that yet, but then, I wasn't ready to do a couch-to-5k a few months ago either! My Penguin 5k is Saturday morning (a week from tomorrow) so I'll run either Tuesday/Thursday or Monday/Wednesday next week and take a day off before the race. I want to do well, and since it's my first one, I want to set myself up for success. Everyone have a wonderful weekend! :thumbup:

PJTP...Hi y'all! Checking in...the interview went well (I think)...was primarily informational. They wanted to emphasize that they are looking for someone who will 'fit in' with the small company / family atmosphere of the place. It's a small employer - only a couple hundred folks, total - maybe not even that many, and they are more concerned with people fitting in personality-wise. They said over and over that they can train someone on tech stuff (and I have a lot of tech experience anyway) but that people skills cannot be taught. They were running a little late, and we only talked for about a half hour. I knew it would be short. We talked about my current position, my past tech experience, and I worked in as much as I could about my people-to-people interaction skills and how I loved being part of a team. I also told them how I loved being part of a smaller employer so that people knew other folks' jobs, and we all did whatever was necessary to get the job done - no cross-job issues as such. I think it went well - and they said I would hear from them hopefully by the end of the week to schedule a panel interview. There are two positions open - one more senior than the other - and I would take either one right about now. They know and love my hubby, so I'm hoping that works in my favor...I'll let y'all know as soon as I know something! This is a really tough one, Tap...I had almost the opposite situation with my DH. When he and I got back together (we were high school sweethearts, broke up, married other folks, started families, both ended up divorced and got back together after our 10 year H.S. reunion) it was me leaving my family, the place where I grew up, and a lot of friends, plus a good career-focused job to move to New England and start over with him. I made the choice with my heart, not my head, and I have not regretted it. I chose to follow my heart and be with the man I love, ups, downs and whatevers along the way. It sounds as if you are willing to take a stand for professional growth and personal happiness on this...sounds like your moving to the new community and reacquainting with your old friends is important to you. The opportunity for professional growth is not to be taken lightly, but...is this just bringing to a head issues that have already been there and are now just getting to the breaking point? Would it be possible for you to generate new friendships and a happier social life in your current location, and let THAT fill the space that the relatively unfulfilling job has left? I do not want to suggest that you settle - it sounds like maybe you've done that for a while - and please feel free to tell me I'm way off-base on this if I am. I also don't want to offend you - I consider you a friend, and it's hard to get my feelings across in this two-dimensional medium...:cursing: If you are truly wanting to move on, with or without your DH, then there is something more going on here than just the job dissatisfaction, and perhaps the possibility of a new job has just given you the push you needed to make a more permanent change. Please take your time in considering this...it is not a small thing to put that kind of distance between you, even for a short time... My DH had the possibility of being a 'geographic bachelor' during one of his Navy assignments - he would have been assigned to American Samoa for a year and we would NOT have moved with him. At the time our kids were young - under 12 - and I was dead set against it. I felt it was more important for him to be with us at that stage in the kids' development. He chose to stay stateside, and we have kept it moving from there...I have had opportunities to move out of state for work, or to move our entire family to a neighboring state for work. We did a careful analysis of what the commute would be for both of us, the school systems, etc. In the end, I did the commute while the family stayed put (I was living at home with them) and we made it through. I cannot tell you what to do, but I will say do your due diligence. This is not a decision to be made lightly - but you know that already. I know you to be reasoned, intelligent and sensitive, and I believe you will make the right decision. :wink2: Feel free to PM me if you want, or we can continue the discussion here on the boards...it's entirely up to you! :redface:

PJTP...Good morning Everyone! We've got the cold, rainy, windy weather here in New England this morning also...my house is chilly and I think a bowl of oatmeal or grits will be on my menu this morning. Brrr...and I don't even want to THINK about winter right now...without my extra 'blanket' I'm not sure how I'll make it this winter! :biggrin: Feeling like I need to winterize my house...put plastic on windows, insulate, etc...I'm in full-on 'cocooning' mode...thinking about chili or beef stew for dinner...breaking out the crock pot again! Have a good day, everyone!

PJTP... Busy day today...HI TAP! *waving* :cursing: Been stuck on the phone, in the files and on the computer all day...two days before our application submission deadline and the candidates are collectively losing their minds... Plus that flu shot I got yesterday is catching up with me. Energy level is just about down to zero, my 'monthly visitor' arrived, and I'm eating like a starving draft horse!:thumbup: Thankfully, I've only got 90 minutes left in my day...I did finish my final paper for Humanities class last night. Will do a final read-through and submit tonight so I can finally relax. Classes start up again the end of next week, so I want to take advantage of the break. Found a new rolling bag for my commute - a Nicole Miller, on sale for under $50 at Staples. Didn't realize how much of a difference good rolling wheels can make! My left shoulder is stiff and painful (doc says bursitis, recommended trying to strengthen it with exercise and if that doesn't work, cortisone shots). That means no over-the-shoulder bag for me for a while. Don't know what I'll do when the snow flies...cross that bridge when I get there. Virtual shopping on EBay...currently wearing a size L Tahari dress that I found there...grey knit with black accents - love the dress, love even more that it's a size L and not an XL, a XXL or some such. Back to the phones, filing and such...hopefully I'll BBL, but if not, have a great night everyone! :ohmy: