week 8 on WW

It's now the monday morning routine by hopping on the scale to see if I've lost (or gained) any weight.

I am down another pound.

I have only 1/2 a pound to go to reach my "official" goal.

But I am satisfied of where I am right now.

I haven't fallen "off the wagon" which is the big thing.

I was really tired and hungry on the weekend and I DID NOT mindlessly eat (which I've done in the past)

When I am tired, aggravated, depressed, you name it, I would eat a box of poptarts or anything else that was loaded with flour, fat and sugar.

A cup of tea helps these "pangs" as well a bowl of fruit with cool whip.

It's nice to be able to fit into my wetsuit without squashing in the pudge.

It is nice to have my pants loose instead of suffocatingly tight.

I've been religiously sticking to working out in "cell block #9" (my basement gym) everyday with having the weekends to rest. I know this doesn't sound like a big deal but before I started working out I could not lift my arms over my head.

It was extremely painful.

I can now lift my arms over my head using weights. I have graduated ever so small the amount of weights in my routine but I am progressing. I can't stand having squishy jiggly arms. It's gross.

No, I probably will not look the way I did when I was 30 years old. My skin is now different and my stamina for exercising is much lower than it was but I am striving to be the best I can be at this point in my life.

Oh yeah, I still dream of donuts. Chocolate buttercrunch, glazed, cinnamon, powdered, a plain stick, jelly, blueberry, coconut and chocolate frosted.

It's still just one day at a time.

Dive #796 & 797 July 11 2010

Dive # 796 July 11 2010

The weather was predicted to have on and off thunder storms today. I figured if I brought my rain gear then the rain would stay away.

And it did.

It was hot and sunny.

Pat had the day off. The captain banged out two dives the previous day overworking his slowly mending knee so he directed operations topside instead on going in. Pete and Chris did some UW filming.

We had a good group of customers aboard.

Larient, Myanna and her partner Linda. They have easy going personalities and are good divers to boot ! I like having them aboard.

We ventured out to Lanesville since Larient, Myanna and Linda were in the lobster hunting mode. I like this spot too since it is shallow and close to shore.

Water was really murky as you descend but once you got to the bottom it was OK. Water temp was 56F at 30feet. I was hoping to see some dogfish but all I saw were few pollack. I only used a half a tank so I could do a second dive.

Dive #797

We headed over to "the restaurant" near Folly Cove for the second dive. However, there was fisherman with his son fishing at the spot that we wanted to drop anchor. We ended up heading back to Lanesville but edging closer to the mouth of Folly. For some reason, the water felt warmer. Chris and Pete were on a quest to film a "capture and release" involving a flounder as a part of their film footage. I found a huge flounder and tried to herd it over to where I thought Chris and Pete were filming. Even though I was conscience of the changing tide and the sneaky current I ended up not where I thought I was suppose to be.

I used lobster pots as landmarks. I got suspicious when I was near a yellow lobster pot when I had swore that lobster pot was green. Sure enough when I surfaced to check my bearings I was at the wrong lobster pot. I guess the flounder that I was herding was not going to be a movie star today.

I still had fun looking around.

It was a nice easy low key day of diving.

That works for me!

along came a spider...

In the summer, I hang my clothes outside to dry. Not only is it "environmentally friendly" but I like the way the clothes smell line-dried.

Fresh and clean.

Anything that comes out of the electric dryer ends up smelling like socks.

The only bad thing that happens when I leave my clothes out to dry on the line is occasionally I get a "hitchhiker" that comes in the house with the clothes.

Sometimes if I leave the clothes overnight outside I'll get an earwig or two, maybe even a sleeping yellowjacket. One time, my husband discovered he had a large moth stuck in a sleeve.

Since this has been a problem I give the clothes a good shake before bringing them in.

It is has been so bloody hot this week that I just grab the clothes off the line fast without shaking them out first.

Today I brought in two daddy long leg spiders.

I shook the shirt out over the toilet so the spiders would fall in. At the time, I didn't think much about it until I glanced back to see these poor spiders struggling to get out.

I felt terrible that I chucked them in the toilet so I did what any saint would do.

I took a piece of paper and got those spiders out of the toilet.

They sat on the paper for a bit to dry off and then I gently opened the screen door to let them out.

I felt better afterwards that I had rescued them rather than let them drown.

But I will confess, I am not that kind to yellowjackets or hornets.

the wild pigeons of Salisbury beach part 13

The temperatures have been heating up. The thermometer was pegged on 100F in the shade. The thermometer on my back deck in the sun reached 122F at 2:00pm.

Last January, only six months ago, we had temps that dropped to -15F with the wind chill factor.

Welcome to New England.

I am always amazed at the resilience of the beach pigeons surviving in the extremes of our fluctuating temperatures.

Still, you gotta love Salisbury beach.

There is a certain style, attitude and lifestyle that is a part of living by the Massachusett's coastline. Things that you don't normally think about but are unique to this area despite the globalization and massive chain store invasion amalgamation.

Yes, I shucked clams as a kid, I was on the "Major Mudd" show during the 60's, I head to Hampton beach in the summer, I cheer for the Red Sox no matter what, I listen to Howie Carr on the radio,I apple pick in the fall, I know what greenheads are, I 've been to the saint's festivals in the North End, and I go to the Patriot's day parade on April 19th in Lexington.

I don't wear skimpy clothing, I'm not a huggy feelie person. I'm a bit uptight.

Yes, I am a true Bostonian.

This is a part of my identity and yes, I'm proud of it

I remember about 25 years ago sitting in the airport down in Miami. A fellow with a dark tan wearing a tropical shirt drinking a cocktail said to me in this slow languid accent, "I can tell you are from Boston". I was wearing a Lacosste shirt and tailored pants. As soon as I opened my mouth the Boston accent came out. I laughed and said to him, "I can tell you are from Florida!"

It made me sad when I went to Texas last January and half the people did not have that distinct Texan accent. Some of the transient "Texans" even made fun of those who had the accent.

I thought that was rather sad.

I enjoyed the Texans with their distinct accent and friendly 'big' ways. I loved the cowboys hats, boots, steak houses (even though I don't eat steak) and the pretty ladies with big hair. I hated seeing a "Burlington coat factory", "home depot" and "Olive garden" in their strip malls.

Beleive it or not, I noticed the pigeons.

The pigeons were a bit bigger but a little more scroggier in Texas.

The pigeons in San Francisco were really scroggie looking but super friendly with more color variations.

The resident pigeons were unique like the resident people.

I hope the pigeons are proud of who and what they are.

week 7 on WW

OK this photo is pretty bad but I couldn't help but crack up.

I think Jesus would've thought this was pretty funny too.

Anyways, it is week 7 on my weight watcher's journey. I got on the scale this morning and so far, I've lost total of 12 pounds. I have 1.5 pounds to go to reach my goal.

I'm not starving either.

I really think I can live like this.

And that is the mantra of weight watchers is a life style eating change over.

I still haven't touched a donut for 7 weeks now. Those will remain on the "no fly" list.

Pat bought something from DD and brought it on the boat this weekend. I have no idea what she got but I had to sniff the empty bag as an excuse for 'taking her trash" away. I guess this is what it is like for people who give up cigarettes. I've seen "former" smokers sniffing that second hand smoke aroma as they struggle to detox from their cigarette addiction.

I still plan, prepare and cook in advance my healthy low fat meals everyday.

I can't help but wonder if people who do the Jenny Craig or nutrisystem diets can keep the weight off once they reach their goal since all their meals are these tiny pre-made TV dinner-like "meals".

Have you seen these "meals"?

It is no wonder you lose weight if you stick to eating just these prescribed 'meals". They are the size of a deck of cards of this brown mucus-like mass called a "nutritionally balanced meal". Let's be honest, you can't eat this crap forever. It's all processed crap but I guess it is easier than having to cook.

I guess these folks have a diet coach to help them integrate into eating normal and healthy after they stop eating those TV dinner entries. It IS a big effort to properly shop, plan and prepare for healthy meals when you have a busy lifestyle.

So far, so good. It's working for me.

dive# 795 July 4th 2010

Dive #795 July 4th

Out on a dive boat was the place to be on a horrendously, hot and hazy fourth of July.

My head was still a bit foggy after a weeks worth of zomig but I figured a plunge in the icy depths would do me some good. However, if we were to dive at cathedral rocks I would wait this dive out and dive at the second site. I don't like this spot because it is deep, bloody cold and murky.

We had Janet M, her friend Neal, Larient and Fred's old time pal Jerry C.

Fred assigned me to dive with Jerry.

I was little nervous about this because I was still a bit 'off" and Jerry being the cantankerous but fragile ol' scroggie might have issues in the water.

Jerry has been diving before I was born but at 80 years old with health issues I was a bit nervous about getting in the water with him..

It was unbearably hot. I made the mistake of putting on my wetsuit too early before arriving at the second dive. I was severely over heating so I just jumped in without my hood. I had to get my head cooled off. Pete delighted in the fact of "helping"me submerged my head by stepping on my shoulders dunking me it.

AHHHHH! that felt good!

When I hopped out of the water I felt something "wiggling" behind my knee. I thought to myself, "oh gross I must have some insect trapped in my wetsuit after being stored in the garage since the fall". Sure enough, when I was helping Pete and Pat with the anchor TWO plump earwings crawled out of the sleeve of my wetsuit. Pat was horrified and totally grossed out. I can't say I blame her but I wasn't about to take the suit off at that point before completing my dive.

The ocean was filled with boats partying and enjoying the day. The beaches were completely packed. People were enjoying their holiday to the fullest.

The second dive was at Lane's crossing which I was glad of. It is shallow and close to the rocks. There is usually good things to see exploring at the rock formations.

I got in the water with Jerry. All seemed well except he started to swim like a bat out of hell straight out to the open ocean!

What the ....?!?!?!

I started following him thinking maybe he was disoriented. I pointed to the shore area but he still kept swimming furiously out further to the boating lanes. WTF! At that point, I had to surface before we both ended up far away from the boat and shoreline to see if I could find Pete. Jerry has been diving a very long time and I'm sure he wasn't about to follow a girl.

I alerted Chris of the situation and tried to at least have an idea of where he was going just in case he had to be rescued.

Thankfully, about 15 minutes later, I did see Pete AND Jerry diving together getting closer to the boat.

I relaxed and was relieved after seeing them together. I saw some lobsters and a school of small pollack. I even found Pete's lobster that he had dropped overboard with it's claws banded. I was tempted to remove the bands and set him free but Pete was having a big cookout at his house and the fresh lobster feast is a big highlight for his guests.

I hope everyone had a safe and happy fourth of July.

GOD BLESS THE USA!!!!!

girl's night out

It had been a tough week for me fighting off the migraine demons once again.

The heat and blasting sun doesn't help matters. I just want to hide in a hole for a week with ice packed on my head.

It is predictably unpredictable similar to the course a virus takes. I kind of figured it would last about a week. I take my zomig, ice my head and try to lay low. It's difficult because you still have to go to work and fulfill your plans and appointments you make with friends and family.

Life doesn't just stop and wait.

I had made plans to see "Craig Ferguson" at the Wilbur theater with my old time grammar school chum. Craig Ferguson is a late night talk show host and comedian. He played the snotty "Mr. Wick on the "Drew Carey show". He is also the author of two books. His latest book "American on Purpose" I recommend as one of those good summer reads.

Thankfully, the migraines were managable so I was able to enjoy a 'girl's night out"in Boston.

(You would be amazed how days like this without your head and body aching you appreciate feeling just being "normal".)

One of the main things that makes a comedian good is not only the timing of the punchline their ability to know their audience.

The opening act did not have this skill, I say with regret.

For example, a preppie white guy would not do well telling racial jokes to an all black audience.

That just would not fly.

This opening act guy (who's name eludes me) was telling jokes about women's periods in regards to bitchiness to a mostly over 40 year old female audience.

That went over like a lead balloon.

I'm surprised he wasn't pelted by a blizzard of tampons and sanitary pads with his lame attempt of trying to be 'cute".

Craig, however, had that comedic flair and appeal.

I think having a audience that could relate to his Scottish humor was big. Let's face it most people in the Boston area are either northern Isle (Irish, Scottish or English) decent or Italian (or the combination of both) so his humor was appreciated.

We got a kick out of his rapid fire quips plus he's not a bad looking guy to boot either!

Yup, it was a good time to be had by all.

We topped the evening off stopping off at a high school friend's house.

It was a late night for me being the old fart that I am but it was fun hanging out and listening to funny stories with my high school pals.

Yup, I got to do this more often.

* just in case you were wondering, a Scotsman does'nt wear anything under those kilts.