4 The Birds #102

[PattiG]

Good Morning All (and a good morning it is)!

Sophie, I hope you find your way to this new thread. Maple and I usually start a new one after about 20 posts just so it doesn't get too lengthy to sort through.

First things first: WI results form this morning...-1.5 lbs! A double WOO HOO!! I'm burning up the scales with enthusiasm!

I'll be back shortly to post again (we can talk dogs and exercise). I 'm about ready to run off to church but I also am having a pestilence issue in the house right now as well. Yesterday afternoon I came home from errands to find a swarm of termites in the front hallway. BLEEEECH! I hate bugs and all that goes with it. The termite guy is coming tomorrow, but in the meantime I guess I need to stand ready with the vacuum.

Till then,
Patti

[PattiG]

I'm back. Maple, I'm disappointed that you didn't go on the hot air balloon ride. I was hoping you'd be able to take some incredible aerial shots. But nevertheless I'm sure your time in Vegas will be just as fun-filled. It's been about 10 yrs since I was there and I know a lot has changed....hotels have gone up and down since then. Please tell me your'e going to see Celine Dion's show. I saw a preview of it on tv when it first started and I'd give my eye teeth to see it in person.

Sophie, you mentioned in one of your previous posts that you've gone on bird outings. That's great! I'm really only a "backyard birder" but someday I'd love to actually go on a birding trip. Actually my dream vacation would be to go to the galapagos islands some day. I've seen home movies and tv specials on the birds and land and sea life there (they have warm water penguins) and I just imagine it would be the thrill of a lifetime to go.

As for pets, I'm a dog lover as well....but we've always gone the miniature poodle route. Last June I had to have my furry best friend Teddy to sleep. We had him for almost 16 yrs and I don't think I've ever loved any animal more. I say in all honesty that that day was undoubtedly one of the hardest days I've ever had to live through. I still miss him terribly. Before Teddy (who was red like an Irish setter) we had a beautiful pure white poodle (no runny eyes or stained fur). We also had him for 16 yrs. At this point I'm aching for another dog but it just isn't practical at this time. My parents are in their late 70's (I live at home if you haven't guessed by now) but they flip-flop between being out of the house most of the time to not feeling well enough to tend to a new puppy, and I'm so busy with work it just wouldn't be fair. So time will tell. There will be another dog in my future, I just don't know when.

Exercising and such: Sophie, is there anything in particular that you like to do that would get you up and going to burn off a few more calories? I do a lot of bike riding and rollerblading in the warm weather but walking is an all around perfect activity. It doesn't even have to be fast walking so that you're out of breath or even to the point of breaking a sweat. If you're not used to much exercise, start off with a slow casual walk and aim for at least 20-30 minutes. Maybe your first goal should be to designate a specific distance (half mile or full mile). Just don't worry about speed. You don't want to do anything that will cause a lot of aching muscles anywhere. In time start to increase your distance or increase your speed. Don't do both at the same time or you'll be hurting afterwards. For me, I find the exercise very motivating to staying OP with the food. I suppose I figure that if I'm going to expend that much energy working out....I'm going to think twice about putting unnecessary junk food in my mouth. It's sort of a self-perpetuating motivator. On another positive note, try getting scheduling your exercise time when you're having a case of the wild munchies or some of your husband's goodies are calling out your name. In any case, try to find an activity that interests you and promise yourself to stick with it at least 3-4 times a week. Commit yourself to one full week before giving up.

I've always listened to music when I've treadmilled, but lately I had been feeling uninspired by the same old music I had. New music wasn't helping either. But, big brother to the rescue! Last week my brother gave me one of those little portable DVD players for my birthday and it has been a God-send. My father made a small shelf in front of the treadmill for me to stand it on and I have found that watching movies is a perfect distraction! The last time I had tried doing this, the tv was not at eye level and I wound up getting motion sickness. This is perfect though and before I know it, 40 minutes have flown by.

Wow, this is one massive post. LOL GUess I made up for missing all last week. I'll quit now. Have a good OP week everyone!

Patti

[sophiegoren]

Patti:

Another dog lover! Wow!!! To me, something in life is missing without them. But that is not easy to explain to someone who doesn't love dogs. Not that I really trust anyone who doesn't love dogs. How can they not? I always try to arrange mine in pairs. For example, Fred is Fred and George is George. But Fred and George together form another personality altogether.

Congratulations on your weight loss! I am also doing well. Since I officially returned to WW on Feb. 21 (thanks to you and Maple), I have lost five pounds. Our goal is seven pounds by April 1, right?

Thank you for all your suggestions about exercise. I have an ideal walking area if I would just get up and do it. But I am lazy and I would rather sit and think about birds than, egads, exercise. I guess I am going to have a pick a date to start and tell myself a hundred times an hour until then that I will start that day. Of course, it will seal the deal if I tell you and Maple that I am going to do it. I would rather walk than have to confess I failed.

So on that unpleasant thought, let me return to my favorite and that would be birds. I declared myself a "birder" in 1982 and began my life list that year with species number one! I now have 510 lifers on my list and I wonder what I did on trips before I became a birder. I have taken many; the most recent, last month to the Everglades. My favorite birding spot, and the one considered the hottest by experts, is not that far from you. Cape May, NJ. I do trust that when I die, a merciful God will send me to bird paradise right there in Cape May. I hope I get to choose which B&B I will live in because I have stayed in some of the best in Cape May and I have definitely stayed in the worst!

Hey, are you going to watch "Fat Actress" tonight? I can't wait. I love Kirstie Alley any way and she has let herself get really fat. It is on Showtime.

Do hope Mabel is enjoying her trip and what about Bailey's Mom? Does she ever check into BCB?

Sophie

[PattiG]

Sophie! You hadn't told us how well you've been doing. 5 lbs is EXCELLENT!! Keep up the good work and keep us posted as we're going along. That way we can dance along with you....(lol) or give you a good old BC reprimand.

You mean to say that I don't need to go any further than New Jersey for great bird watching? Seriously? I had no idea. Goes to show you how experienced I am. I have several field guides and I look up anything unusual that shows up in the backyard but I've never kept a life list or gone on any bird counts. I know that Maple has though. You must have some great stories from these trips. Please share them with us. The best I can do is tell you about my graduate research (from many years ago) on fruitflies....ROTFL...no Maple, I promise not to get started on those again!

In other news, my treadmill died last night. I think the motor is burned out. After 15 yrs I'm not surprised. lol If you add up all my walking time, I've probably walked clear across the US. Now I'm torn what to do. I can either try to repair what I've got or add a bit more money and get a brand new one. The only problem is that the new ones are so much longer and wider than mine and space may be a problem. In the meantime, I'll have to find something else to do. Which leads me back to you Sophie. Ok, friend...time to commit once again. Let's hear your exercise plan. We KNOW you can do it!!

[sophiegoren]

Good morning, Patti!

I'm really feeling good about myself this morning because I have dodged several weighty bullets the last couple days. Have partied twice lately without putting on any pounds. Really, really skimped during those days but, yikes, you should have seen the spread that was laid before my depraved eyes last night.

Yesterday, I picked my first bouquet of daffodils and the fragrance fills the whole house. Spring is right around the corner; in fact, I guess it officially begins March 20. That might be a good time to begin walking. That also gives me 11 days to work up to it. Well, don't take this as a commitment yet but it is encouraging to know that I am thinking about it.

Patti, if you are interested in learning more about birds, one of the best ways is to subscribe to Wild Bird Digest. It is a wonderful publication, for both fledglings and experienced birders. Yours truly had an article several years ago in it on the scarlet tanager. You might check it out its website.

And Cape May, NJ? Whoa! Heaven on earth!!! Six hundred renovated Victorian homes, many of them B&B's. High end shops and fabulous restaurants. Plus the best birding in the country besides the Rio Grande, of course). Wow! I am starting to hyperventilate just thinking about it. Spring is the time to go -- million of shorebirds migrate south, munching on the horseshoe crabs as they go.

I do hope our Maple is having a great time on her travels . . .

Sophie

[PattiG]

Hi Sophie,
Didn't mean to leave you stranded so many days. I've been trying to post all week, but somehow the time always gets away from me.

Daffodils? You picked daffodils? I can't begin to say how envious I am. We just had another 7-8" of snow on Saturday. Spring seems like its an eternity away. Howzabout if we switch places for a few weeks? This way you could drive a few hours to Cape May and I could start to warm my bones and smell the spring flowers.

Speaking of birds, a thrush seems to have adopted us. We first noticed her by our back door hanging out with the two ducks that stop by every morning for a bread handout. I figured the bird was just there to get the leftover crumbs, but then we noticed that she wasn't leaving. She's not even afraid of the sound of the door opening which usually scares all the birds and squirrels. This bird just hops onto a tree branch about 6" away and flies down as soon as we toss the bread out. I know she's not hurt cause she hops around fine and easily flies to other trees, but I've never heard of a bird that hangs out on a brick step all day. My second thought was that she was scouting out the tree right next to the door as a potential nesting area, but nesting season is still a month or two off. It was almost dusk tonight and she was still just sitting on the step all puffed up. Maybe she's a little more protected from the wind and cold by the door, but I don't really think that's it. Go figure. I don't know how, but every stray bird, cat, dog, duck, seems to find us.

Got to run again, but just a note that I didn't make it to WW today. I've fallen off the wagon a bit since my treadmill died. The new one won't be delivered till the 29th, but I'm working to get myself back on track as of tomorrow. How did you do this week?

Patti

[sophiegoren]

Patti:

Bizzy! Bizzy!! Bizzy!!! And I don't work . . . so how is it that I am always trying to catch up?

I'm keeping my shoulder to the WW wheel except on Sunday. My weight bounces around a lb or two but I feel safe in saying that I have lost six pounds. It hasn't been easy. Right now, I am so sick of hummus, oranges and hard-boiled eggs, I may never want to see another one ever. But as long as I stick to the program, I can eat a small, but regular dinner, and still lose weight.

I am going to start walking (wowser) the first week of spring. :exercise2 One mile, three days a week. That's not much but better than nothing, huh? I do walk Fred and George every day but I can't really count that. They poke along, smelling every rock, stick or, preferably, dog along the way.

Glad you are getting another treadmill. Can you believe that I bought a new one several years ago, finally sold it and in between never turned it on once.
Isn't that pathetic?

Are we going to make our April Fool's Day goal of losing 7 to 10 lbs.? Since I'm close, I will confess that I will starve myself if I have to if that is what it takes to get there by April 1.

And about that thrush? Is it a robin? That sounds too easy so would you please check your field guide. Might try a hermit thrush -- they have a red tail.

I'm always glad to see your posts -- I need a lot of support!

Sophie

[Maple]

Hi guys! :D

Just logged on and caught up on all your posts. Both of you are doing really well. Congratulations :bcbsalute Don't ask! I'll be home on or around the 26th and will have to face the music that is waiting for me on my bathroom floor. It's too late to worry about it but I've be psyching myself up for days about my return to WW and starting a serious walking and exercise program.

The NASCAR race in Las Vegas was fun. It was hot and sunny the entire time but we had suite tickets so were spared the heat and uncomfortable stadium seats. I won a $250 jackpot on a quarter machine but the final tally at the end of the day was I came away ahead $50. After Vegas we went to Reno for a couple of days and I broke exactly even and my DH gained $100. We took our money and ran..........right out of the desert, over the mountains and are now in northern California. We will visit friends in Oregon for a few days and then scoot on home. My homing devise kicked in today so there won't be anymore dilly dallying. I'm looking forward to getting home.

[PattiG]

Hey Sophie, guess who's treating us to lunch today? Ms. Las Vegas! lol Maple, glad to see your post last night. I thought we had lost you somewhere in Red Rock Canyon or something. Sounds like you've had a wonderful time on this trip. How are the furry babies doing with all the traveling? ROTFL I suppose they've checked out enough places to leave their mark on trees in 4 states.

Sophie, you are going to laugh at what I'm going to write right now. All my life my mother has always referred to mockingbirds as thrushes. Don't ask me why, but she always used the terms interchangeably. Therefore....imagine my surprise when after all these years I'm checking the field guide as you suggested about the "hermit thrush" only to realize that my bird is a mockingbird. After reading the guide as to territorial behavior, I realize this feathered friend has staked out his area and won't be leaving our porch any time soon. I swear...lol....he sits there and guards his tree and our back door as if he has a rifle on his shoulder. And brave too! He has chased off starlings and blue jays and squirrels! Anyway, he I've seen him sitting on the step at the crack of dawn (5:30 am) and still be there at dusk. Now, when he sees the light in my kitchen go on in the morning, he walks up to the screened door and looks in. If he could, I'm sure he'd ask for a cup of tea and sit at the counter.

In other birding news, I had the sight of my lifetime on Wednesday afternoon. I had driven to the bank and as I parked my car I noticed some small birds flitting in and out of some juniper bushes. Lo and behold there were about 8 - 10 cedar waxwings!!! In didn't even know they existed on Long Island! They were beautiful. And from photos that I've seen, for some reason I always thought they were larger birds the size of a cardinal, but they are only about as large as a sparrow. To say I sat there mesmerized is an understatement. I went back to the area again yesterday but they were gone. There were still a lot of juniper berries on the bushes but I suppose the birds were just passing through. Well, I can die a happy person now. :)

As for our weightloss goal Sophie, I still holding at the 3 lbs I lost. I haven't budged in the past two weeks. It isn't that staying OP alone won't work...it does...I just haven't paid that much attention. For some odd reason, my steadying force always seems to be the treadmill and without the daily exercise, my enthusiasm and resolve usually go down the drain. Silly huh? As of now I'm looking at a delivery date of March 29th. I wish it was here already.

Sophie, the one mile 3 days a week plan sounds good to me. I guarantee you'll be doing twice that distance in no time flat. Keep up the good work and please don't starve yourself to make our goal. Stay with the program and let it work properly for you. (I should heed my own good advice! lol)

[sophiegoren]

Good morning, birds!

So good to hear our Maple is on her way home . . . what a trip you've had!
It's such an upper to check our site and see posts are there and waiting.

Yesterday was a BIG day. I hit seven pounds and was practically euphoric. That is seven pounds of sugar and fat I haven't eaten since Feb. 22! Actually, I dread Lent being over because my daily battle with sugar will have to waged again and, oh, how tedious. I feel so diminished, sitting here, not able to think about anything but candy. Or cake, or donuts, or you name it. If it's loaded with sugar, I want it! So Lent has been a welcome respite. I don't know how to explain why I am not even tempted during Lent. Easter day I will be psychotic. Heaven help me!

Well, tomorrow is my first day to walk, thanks to both of you.

Patti, mockers are so awesome! I love hearing them sing, usually from the highest perch they can find. But you're right; they are mean. I was attacked by a mamma several years ago in Florida. How was I to know that I had gotten too close to her babies? She really left a memory on the side of my head.

And waxwings . . . too gorgeous to imagine. I've always thought they looked more porcelain-like than feathery. And if there are any edible berries around, they'll strip the tree bare. Have you heard that they can get intoxicated on fermented berries? It's true! They're still a classy critter.

I'll check in after my first mile tomorrow . . .

Sophie

[PattiG]

I'll be back later but I just had to write. We have a PHEASANT in our backyard again!!! He's beautiful!! This one is big enough to feed two families. LOL

[sophiegoren]

A pheasant in your backyard? Again?? Now that is something to crow about!!!

I haven't seen a pheasant in a long time but they are humongous, aren't they? I saw one many years ago in the cemetery where my parents are buried. Every time I go there, I automatically look in that spot hoping it will be there again. It never has but I always take a peek.

[PattiG]

Sophie....7 lbs? I'm euphoric for you!! EXCELLENT! EXCELLENT! EXCELLENT! :headover: And you say we're your inspiration? I think from now on I'll gleam my support from you. And you win our April 1st Challenge! :goal: Hats off to you....(do I say winner or are we all hoping to be "losers?") Plus, once you start your walking I think the pounds will just melt away. :walking:

I went to WW this morning, but I didn't WI. There wasn't any point in wasting my $12, but sitting in on the lecture always jumpstarts my enthusiasm again. Still waiting on the treadmill, but as promised, I'm back on track foodwise as well. It's just a matter of days till Maple gets back and I know she's going to need to encouraging words as well.


Let's do this one day at a time!

[sophiegoren]

Patti:

Thanks for all your confidence but I let you down big time yesterday. I never made my big fling into spring by starting my walking program. Of course, I can rationalize it by saying that my week will run from Monday through Sunday so I still have seven days to get my three miles.

I didn't feel well yesterday; in fact, I slept all afternoon. I must blame sugar on this fall from grace because I packed it in when I got home from church. I ate so much cake, it made me sick. :help: Since I'm not wired on it because of Lent, my poor system can't handle it. Only six days left in Lent. What am I going to do?

Any-who, I can lose weight when I eat food other than fat and sugar. And I don't feel too deprived because I hardly eat any points during the day and then eat a somewhat normal dinner. But, oh, it's Lent that is making this possible. If I could just keep my routine up after Easter.

Any ideas, friend?

[PattiG]

Happy Easter Everyone! I hope it was a joyful holiday weekend.

Let me start this post off with a quote:
An optimist is the human personification of Spring

And with that let's jumpstart our WW week with renewed enthusiasm and keep our weightloss efforts going strong. Sophie, just because Lent is over doesn't mean you don't have the strength and focus to continue moving forward. Think of the 40 days of Lent as your trial run. And you did it successfully! Why don't you stay with that same sort of routine and make another 40 day committment to God. I know you stand by your word when you make committments.

As for me, hopefully my treadmill is coming on Tuesday and since our company just left about an hour ago and we've finished cleaning up, the chocolate bunnies and jellybeans are already wrapped and in a baggie in the freezer. I'm ready to move forward again. Let's do this together.

Patti

[Maple]

I'm home! Hope you both had a nice Easter and have cleared out all the chocolate crumbs by now. I officially began WW today and even signed up for the online WW eTools. It's a great program and I think it will be very helpful to keep me on track. I even earned 2 exercise points today walking, but I don't intend on eating exercise points.........what's the point? LOL Talking about walking, I clipped on my pedometer and have exceded my goal of 10,000 steps.so far 11,190 steps.

Cedar waxwings! OMG how awesome! Every time I look at a picture of one I am amazed how waxy they look......not feathery at all. Patti you are certainly having a bumper bird year aren't you? So what's the story about the door step mocker? Why is it doing that I wonder. I could do with one around here to chase off the squirrels because Charlie's squirreling days are over since his surgery. The specialist said that is just too hard on his joints to be madly tearing out of the house, flat out like a rocket anymore. It could be how he injured himself in the first place. My birds have be a bit ho-hum lately but I did see some nice ones on my trip. Bluebirds galore and several magpies comes to mind. I know I saw more, but they have slipped my mind just now.

It sounds like you both have done well WWize since I've been gone. How much have you both lost this past 2 months? How I wish I could say the same but it's my own fault and I'll have to suffer the consequences of my rebellious ways. My NSV is I've stayed OP 100% all day and even got out walking.

[PattiG]

Maple, I was wondering when you'd make it back here. Believe me, you are not alone in this weightloss challenge. When my treadmill died, so did my self-control. It's a strange connection, but it happens time after time. The few pounds that I had lost a few weeks ago have all found their way back to the hips and butt they originated on. So friend, we start this together AGAIN! And you sound right on track today. Excellent!

Yes, the chocolate and jellybeans are put away and the leftovers from Easter dinner are finished. Tomorrow is my Day 1 AND the treadmill will be delivered before I get home from work. See what a good friend I am....I waited to lose weight with you (lol).

Pictures and stories...I hope you've got at least a few from your trip. Do share! I've missed your posts and your IM's. Come back online as soon as you have some time. :)

Sophie, did you survive the Easter goodies? Are you ok?

Patti