low

I'm loving the spring weather and getting outside easier. I am mourning the return of headaches, sometimes migraine. I deal the best I can but never like it. I don't like the drugs I have for them and usually try Advil/ice first. The pills need to be taken with food and I never want to eat when they are bad, so I avoid taking them unless really needed. I used to use maxalt which was great, fast and effective, but since I started taking an antidepressant, I can't take them any more. Just to clarify, it's causing me to feel a little low physically, but not emotionally.

In the bigger picture, I'm still feeling pretty good, doing ok with food and continuing to learn as I go. I weighed in at the Y this morning at 181 lbs, for a total loss of 113 lbs and one more to my next goal. It's kind of funny that in the past I have not felt comfortable talking about how much I weigh, but now when people tell me I'm skinny or getting too thin, I just tell them how much I weigh! I think it helps to dispel the notion that they know what is healthy for others, as well as helping them to understand that everyone's different and looks can be deceiving.

That's it for tonight, back to nursing this headache.
Love, elly

zzzzzzzzzzz

....catch up tomorrow!

Love, elly

reassurance

I am so comforted by the fact that whenever I struggle for a day or two, I go back to what I'm learning, and it works. Hopefully next time I think about eating a really large volume of popcorn I will remember how my stomach felt the next day too! It was awful, but I was, without question, back on my path. That's really all I care about...that whatever I still need to figure out I can and still get right back on my path.

I had a wonderful supper and hot tub with some wonderful, wacky, winning women, who I love! Then I picked up Daniel and Sam and went home to read stories and sleep. Perfect ending.

Night, elly

"Part of the power of all storytelling is reassurance, offering hope to those sat in the darkness, that good can succeed and wrongdoing fail."  Charles Sturridge

happiness

This program works, when you work the program, and I'm working it!

I'm tired and going to bed but wanted to say how fortunate and blessed I am to have 4 wonderful kids, three super extra kids and 6 delightful grandkids. They all make me really happy and proud, mostly happy!

Thanks, elly

"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion."  Dalai Lama

losing weight is hard...

It was a busy interesting day, but not all fun. Some principals just should be in another line of work. Of course, that's true for all professions!

I re-read some earlier clinic notes to find what I needed today. It is really such a good program and it works. I'm living the evidence every day. I also talked more to my office co-worker about taking over next year. It is no longer healthy for me to be going to those lousy meetings. I suggested my plan and she liked it. She suspects I will have difficulty implementing, which may be true, but I'm gonna give it my best shot.

My kids are coming over tomorrow to help me brainstorm about my living situation, so I'm excited about that!

My lovely Mia took me bra shopping today, and I got 6 bras for $150...so much awesomeness!!

I wish I could find the author of this quote but am too tired to look further. Thanks for the support, elly

Losing weight is hard;
Maintaining weight loss is hard;
Staying overweight is hard;
Choose your hard!

PS Pete, your quote reminds me that you are my challenge support and not my listening or emotional support!! Love you!

skinny pop

Thank god for mornings! I couldn't blog last night cause I was in a "skinny pop" popcorn stupor. I ate half the bag and am pretty sure that with the last week of clinic underway, I am sabotaging a little. I am glad to be awake and aware, and am taking the rest of the bag to school. I'm going to re-read some earlier sessions that address the choice to change.

I'm also very excited that I was asked yesterday if I would be a guest speaker to 4 of the new groups starting. It's something we would have liked and they listened to us. I hope it goes well! I suspect it will help me as much as it might help them.

If you have some loving support to spare today, please send it my way. Thanks, elly

"Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels." Kate Moss

politics

I hate politics!  Sometimes the office gets pretty political.  I just got home from a meeting that was not the nicest and I'm getting tired very fast of this kind of meeting.  I think I've done my bit and am actually looking forward to getting out and just returning to the real work.  In that light I asked our VP today if she feels ready to take over next year.  However, she would like our next contract to be done first, and seeing as that will be ground breaking (the legislation is at second reading) I can understand that.  After tonight, I think I will ask her if she would feel different if I stayed on as chief negotiator...hopefully.

Speaking of the meeting, have a pretty good plan now for those meetings, but tonight they ordered Thai, which I love.  I did fine until later in the evening, when I made a choice to have several spring rolls, which are my favourite.  They were every bit as good as I remembered, so I went for a walk with the dogs when I got home.

Tomorrow is our second last group and I'm not the only one feeling like it's not quite long enough to integrate.  The "once a month" sessions for the next 6 months are in the morning, so not available to me unless I use sick time, which I might do sometimes, depending on how things are going.

That's all for tonight, I'm taking these weary bones to bed!  elly

a little wrinkle...or two

I weighed in at the Y this morning at 182 lbs, for a loss of 1 lb and a total loss of 112 lbs.

Last week I noticed that I have wrinkles in my back. I quickly also noticed that I can see lots of muscles in my back. I think it's a good trade off.

I had a miserable afternoon, with a nasty migraine. I have had 3 in the last week and a half and several prolonged visual disturbances. I had really hoped that they were gone for good, but I guess it's not to be for now. I did go to Pilates tonight but took it easy.

Love, elly'

living and learning

I spent the day with my sisters yesterday; we left early, travelled together through a blizzard, enjoyed the day at the mill and returned to clear roads and weather.  I am always so grateful for time together with them and I'm reminded of how we are different in some ways, but alike in so many more!  It is nice to relax with each other and know we are supported and loved.  I really missed my extra sister, who couldn't come.

Betty made a wonderful chocolate eclair cake for Stella's birthday later this week, and it was essentially a 9 by 12 eclair in a pan.  It looked amazing.  As I was processing a decision about having some, I tried smelling it, as sometimes that is enough to satisfy me.  I thought it smelled like there was some liquor in it, but when I asked, she said no.  As others started having seconds, I was still debating. I remembered at clinic that they suggested that if we were going to have something special or extra, we wanted to make sure it was a 10/10, so I picked up a spoon and used the handle to get a little taste of the filling.  Whatever flavour was in it reminded me of liquor and I knew immediately that I didn't want it!  It still amazes me when I trust what they have taught us and it works. I also can hardly believe that I'm this old and still have so much to learn!! (kidding)

I got up this morning to the deadline I had set for myself about exploring my current financial position.  Right after breakfast I decided not to wait, that I would feel better if I got it over with.  Less than an hour later, it was done and I took the dogs out in that glorious sunshine, and then met Tim, Kelly and the boys at the Y for family swim.  This afternoon I went to buy a new bathing suit (size 12) and had a long overdue visit with my long time friend (my sister from another mister) which was so lovely.  

I'm still a little run down and my voice is giving out a bit, so I'm going to bed early tonight, very satisfied.  Terry and Karen also stopped by to scope out the softener install and have a quick visit.  I so appreciate both of them!

Living and learning; LARGE, elly

"Open your eyes, look within. Are you satisfied with the life you're living?"  Bob Marley

tomorrow, tomorrow

I had a wonderful day and learned more things, which I'll share with you tomorrow. I'll love you, tomorrow...right now, I'm pooped! elly

support

It is such a huge learning curve to move from an external locus of control to an internal one. Today I got worried about it, cause I was hungry all day, with no obvious reason that I could see. I felt that I needed more and I ate more. I felt good about the choices I made but there is still that big part of me that has struggled with this for 60 years, so can I really be trusted?? I got some support and decided that it's ok to find out either way. If it escalates, I will know that something else is going on. If not, I will accept that I can and do know what I need. I don't have to be in the "know" I can be in the "learn"!

Speaking of support, it has been so wonderful to be able to support some others as I go along and it reminded me that there's something that I've been wanting to acknowledge for some time. If it were not for the insight, courage and caring of a dear friend, I would not be where I am. As a matter of fact I wouldn't even now about the program if it wasn't for her. When she first asked me if I might be interested in it, I said "no". I thought that I knew everything I needed, but I just couldn't do it. While she acknowledged feeling the same way, she had heard that people had been successful and maybe it would be worth trying. The longer I thought about it, the more I grew hopeful and I went from there...

I have learned so much over the course of my life from one of my best friends and oldest sister, so adding this to what I owe to her is nothing, and yet I needed to do it. I owe her such a debt of gratitude for giving me my life back, and I trust that she will continue to allow me to be a friend and support her in turn.

Thank you Cory, from the bottom of my heart, elly

"In a relationship, each person should support the other. They should lift each other up."  Taylor Swift

hope...

Hope is such a wondrous thing. It can change disillusion into possibility. It allows for the learning process to continue and the heart to remain open.

Hope is a glorious thing. It is a gift that supports life itself, for without it, we are challenged to find reason to get up in the mornings.

Hope has been given to me and I thank any of you who sent healthy energy to my daughter. She is a different person already and I hear the hope in her voice too, even though it scares her after all this time to dare hope for a diagnosis. Regardless, she hopes...I know it!

I am also actually hopeful that I am en route to managing my addiction. I am going to get a book, called "the diet fix", written by one of the Drs who started the first bariatric clinic in Ottawa. It is based on the program itself and he actually prescribes treats for his clients so that they don't just avoid their "drug", but learn to handle it instead. I will let you know what I think.

I'm still nervous about not tracking my food, but have stayed off the scales and will decide one week at a time if I need to return to it for a bit.

Thank you, elly

" At the end of the day we must go forward with hope, not backward by fear and devision." Jesse Jackson

sorry

...fell asleep! Talk later,

worries

Nothing about food tonight, except that even though I feel a little under with some worries, I have not considered medicating with food, or anything else for that matter.

I'm feeling more pressure to get some financial things sorted out.  As a way to prevent that from getting bigger than it is, I am committing to having some assessment of the situation done by the weekend.  I'm worried about where I will live, but only as an extension of this, so will set it aside for now.

I have a much bigger worry, and I think a lot of you will be able to relate, at least those of you who are parents.  No matter how old they are, when they hurt or are sick, they are still your babies and it is very heard to see them suffer and know there is nothing that you can do to help.  I can't mitigate it, so I'm carrying it in my heart, hoping desperately that the energy I'm sending out will somehow find it's way to a healthful solution.  It has been such a long hard struggle and I understand the temptation to just give up.  Please help me not to worry and send positive thoughts and energy to join mine.

Thanks, elly

"Our fatigue is often caused not by work, but by worry, frustration and resentment."

Dale Carnegie

progress...I always was a little slow!

So with my first major unplanned foray back into old behaviour behind me and four days not tracking food intake complete, I am gaining real confidence. I have been aware that I'm still surprised about how well I'm doing, as there is such a big part of me that just did not really believe I ever could or would. So, in an effort to maintain and build on that I will be reinforcing that message often. "I can do this; I am doing this; I'm continuing to do this!" I want the extra support going forward so will start prepping now.

I also had a wonderful opportunity to offer support to someone else today who asked me about the program. Her Dr does not want her to do it, just go back to weight watchers. She is so ready to learn a different way that she can maintain. She is seeing a cardiologist and will ask him for the referral. If unsuccessful, I am preparing an overview of the program for her to go back to her Dr with to ask again. I'm hoping that someone will help her.  If all else fails, I will coach her through the material even though she won't be able to get the shakes.

I weighed in today at the y at 183 lbs, for a total loss of 111 lbs and 3 more to my next goal. Yeah me!  Even with a few planned treats!!  I'm eating so much!!

"Progress is not an illusion, it happens, but it is slow and invariably disappointing." George Orwell

relaxing

It has been the most enjoyable and relaxing March break in my recent memory. While Kelly would say that doesn't mean much, I disagree. I am learning to do the things that give me real pleasure, within the limits forced upon me by age, finances etc. I read, played, sang, swam and most importantly spent time with people I love.

I'm still a little concerned that I won't be getting enough nutrition without tracking, but am persevering for now. I feel good and am not hungry in the evenings, which I will take as a good sign. If the scale cooperates too, then I will continue. I will still use it to scan items when I can get that working.

I almost forgot to tell you a funny story resulting from my stupidity, and I don't like to miss those as I know they make Pete feel better! I bought a new water softener and the plan was for Jeff to come have a look after school. I picked it up in the morning and he would be here some time before I returned from c!inic. So, when I got home I had to get it out of the van so it would be here and I could still get to clinic. I backed up close to the side door, got it out of the van, up the one step into the door and then was faced with either leaving the door open or moving it down stairs. Of course, I knew I could probably get it to slide down if I laid it on one side. I didn't want to chance it crashing to bits at the bottom, so figured better get behind it. Well the damn thing is so heavy that it nearly ran right over me! A few bruises later I did manage to get it down, both in one piece!

It's a little scary, but I think I'm happy, elly

take a chance...

I may have mentioned that at clinic this week we were encouraged to trust our intuition about food and not rely or depend so much on a program such as myfitnesspal all the time. So yesterday and today I have not entered my intake. I realize that I'm more concerned about not getting enough than I am about getting too much, which I think is a good sign. I think maybe I will be fine through the week as I tend to have some standard things most days, or at least a stable range of things. The weekends might be ok with a little less structure...

You know that I never believed that I would be able to even eat 1200 calories and not gain weight, so this is pretty profound for me to take a chance with. Amazingly, it feels right, so I will see how it goes and adjust accordingly if needed.

I got kale salad at costco recently and wasn't a huge fan. The cranberries are full of sugar and the pumpkin seeds are covered with stuff too. I didn't even examine the dressing closely... Today I made soup out of what was left, minus the cranberries, seeds and dressing, and it's wonderful!

I had a relatively quiet day today and put the house back in order after my week of play. I replaced a long overdue furnace filter, did laundry and celebrated my niece's birthday. I still need to make the bed so will sign off for now.

Love, elly

"It takes but one positive thought, when given a chance to survive and thrive, to overcome an entire army of negative ones."  Robert H Schuller

and this just because of who it reminded me of...
"If by chance some day you're not feeling well and you should remember some silly thing I've said or done and it brings back a smile to your face or a chuckle to your heart, then my purpose as your clown has been fulfilled."  Red Skelton

wonder...ful

I wonder where kids get their energy, accepting it for what it is.
I wonder if I will ever feel safe around food, accepting one day at a time.
I wonder if Pete will kill himself trying to get healthy, loving laughing about it.
I wonder if there is anything that sounds better than kids laughing or telling stories, being grateful.

It was another wonderful day as Adrian and Aubrey went home and Daniel and Sam arrived. We played outside, until Sam's boots were literally dripping, on the inside. Ok, all of him was drenched. We slid down the cardboard slide to the basement, time and time again. We read stories, ate popcorn and watched a movie. We are currently all in the bed together!

I have realized this week that something that continues to be hard for me is throwing out food that the kids don't finish, even if I don't really like it! If I do like it, it's even harder! I was aware of the challenges and did fine.

Tomorrow is market day and I will pick up supplies for the week and next weekend, which will be at the cottage with my sister's!

Love, elly

"He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe is as good as dead. His eyes are closed."  Albert Einstein

crash, no burn!

Ok, so yesterday I took completely off, didn't go to the y, had no kids visit or sleep over, and took care of some errands that I've put off. I had to buy a new water softener as mine is leaking, I had to order new glasses, as mine are broken, I had blood work done, did a little shopping etc. I had clinic which was great and we talked about maintenance, and I even said I was not having trouble after supper any more. I watched a bad movie in the afternoon, as I was determined to relax! I knew at supper that something was off. I had eaten fine but wanted more. I had my evening snack right after supper. I went to use my laptop, which is just back from repair, to discover it's dead. Totally and completely.  Back to the shop next week. Eventually I realized that I really wanted to eat. I thought about all the things we had talked about in class and went to the fridge for a turkey bite (like pepperoni), then went back for a second one, and the third time I went back I brought the bag. I was trying to talk to myself the whole time, to no avail. I eventually remembered I should call someone, so called Cory while I still had 3 left. I returned them to the fridge, knowing it was a mistake not to go to the y when it was such a crappy day so I didn't walk. I also think it was a bit boring with no kids, and Jeff and Terry postponed the softener install because of the weather.

So 400 calories later I had it sorted. Not bad considering a year ago it could just as easily have been 4000. And with no guilt about needing to relearn things that I've spent almost 60 years learning, I'm right back on track.

I had a wonderful day with Adrian and Aubrey, after the y, and we walked this afternoon even though it was freaking cold! The sunshine's only competition was the grins on the boys faces.

They have been encouraging us to use our intuition more when it comes to food and I will very slowly try to integrate that. As a start, today I didn't check any of my calories until end of day...so far so good!

In gratitude for loving support of every kinds, elly

"Developing the muscles of the soul demands no competitive spirit, no killer instinct, although it may erect pain barriers the spiritual athlete must crash through."  Germaine Greer

"Quit thinking that you must halt before the inner barrier of negativity.  You need not. You can crash through.  Wherever we see a negative state, that is where we can destroy it."  Vernon Howard

relearning

...and I'll tell you about it tomorrow.
Love, elly

Rest interval

What a fabulous time we had, we played and played hard. We ate and drank, but only long enough to refuel and go again.  There is so much to learn from kids if we only go at their pace long enough to watch! I think the best way to sum it up would be to try and describe the look on Aubrey's face when he woke up. It was just before 6 and at some point in the night he had crawled in to snuggle with me. He lifted his head, looked around, turned to me with the biggest grin as if to say, " OMG, they're still here!"  He asked about Adrian, as Emily and he were on the floor and Adrian answered him, and within 5 min they were all 6 snuggling together and 5 min later the chaos erupted again...jumping and laughing and crawling under the bed etc. By the way there was farting and snoring going on in the night in spite of their promises and they did the Waltons good night ritual too!

Food feels easier every day. I didn't get to the gym but weighed in on my digital scale Mon am at 186 lbs, for a total loss of 108 and 6 more to my next goal. Wonderful long walk today after the kids went home to order new glasses, as mine broke.  Ah, glorious sunshine!

Awesomeness, elly

"There are 3 kind of men; The one who learns by reading, those few who learn by observation and the rest who have to pee on the electric fence for themselves."  Will Rogers

cousin fun

There's no room for me to sit! I want some water! No farting! I love you! I need Rufus! I want to sleep beside Grace! I peed on the floor a little bit! I want a nutella cookie sandwich! One, two, three, four stars...  Twinkle twinkle little star...  He has my pjs on!  The water's too hot! ...too cold! My butt is sinking between the cushions!  Go the fuck to sleep!!

Just kidding, elly

treats

I had a wonderful day with Emily.

I have unintentionally toyed around with a treat now and then. Usually when I hadn't totally planned out where I was going to be or what I was going to eat, like the pizza the other day. I have been surprised by how well I have handled it. I am still firmly convinced of my addiction, but maybe if I stay grounded with real food I will be able to have a treat now and then without losing control. Time will tell...

Tomorrow all the grandkids are coming for a sleepover, so wish me luck!

Love, elly

"Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity."  Voltaire

busy, good, pizza!

It was a busy day, market, digging, pizza for lunch, laundry, shopping, dinner at Mary's, more laundry and plunging the toilet! I bet you could have done without that last image, eh?  Rest assured there seemed to be no back up into the basement...phew!

As for the pizza I almost convinced myself not to have it. I worked my ass off digging and decided that it was most appropriate. I did fine regulating myself and it was delicious!

Tomorrow is another busy day with Em which I'm very excited about!

Gratefully, elly

"One of the things I learned the hard way is that it doesn't pay to get discouraged.  Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself."  Lucille Ball

"You better cut the pizza in four pieces because I'm not hungry enough to eat six."  Yogi Berra

getting sick

OK, not sick sick, but a sinus or cold thing, which I do not like and do not want. Especially when I have so many grandkid plans for next week!  It also explains why I was feeling so tired the last few days.  I will make sure I rest between the kids!

I have done very well getting the protein levels up, including having fish most days, and today I tried roasted soy nuts.  A little dry on their own, but with celery, it was very like having peanut butter and celery...nice, and LOTS of protein.  This week I also got some peppered jerky, which doesn't have quite as much salt as some others out there.  Still a lot, but it's something I can keep around if I need to grab something to tide me over until I can get a proper meal.  I'm loving the high protein pitas for lunch with salmon or tuna and spinach.

 Getting some food ready ahead of time and knowing what to take with me is feeling a little easier.  I think the more experience I get, the easier it will continue to become.  Thanks to Tim, I have discovered fennel tea, which I love and it means I don't just have water.  Cold water, warm water, hot water was all the variety I had before.  Now I have licorice tea and I hope I don't get tired of it because I have never found a herbal tea that I enjoyed this much!

Yesterday I had a very troubling thing happen.  I was going to drop off a card to a member with a cheque and gift card.  My office mate had written the address on a sticky note and put it on the card, dropping it in my lunch bag.  When I got there, I pulled over to check the house number and couldn't find it.  I dumped my lunch bag out.  I looked through other papers I had for a meeting today.  I looked under the seats and in every container, including the garbage can.  When I was finally convinced that I must have dropped it before I got in the van, I called the office and had the manager check the parking lot, the kitchen, my office to no avail.  This poor woman was waiting for this cheque and I couldn't find it anywhere.  I felt horrible!  I had them call her from the office and explain and that I would try to get it replaced today.  I asked for divine intervention repeatedly and when I was home for lunch today I searched the van again; nothing.  Until I went around the passenger side and opened the door...it was hard to believe it could have been down the side of the door enough that I couldn't see it, but not able to fall out.  I was jubilant, ecstatic, really fucking excited, remembered to thank the powers of the universe that assisted and drove off to deliver.  What a nice ending!

Jason, I hope that's enough for a double header, cause that's it for tonight.  I'm sick, after all, and need my rest to get ready for the kids!!!  Yeah!!!

Love you, elly

"Always do your best.  Your best is going to change from moment to moment; It will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick.  Under any circumstances, simply do your best  and you will avoid self judgement, self abuse and regret."   Miguel Angel Ruiz

still tired

...talk tomorrow, elly

long tired

Long day, big tired= long tired!

Great clinic today, talking about body image.

Meeting after work and we had dinner catered. Chicken, salad with feta cheese and balsamic vinaigrette was what I had and it was fabulous! The rest of them had other stuff too, but I was awesome!

Done, tired, pooped, elly

PS, got enough protein...

"Ten men waiting for me at the door? Send one of them home, I'm tired."  Mae West

mostly closer...

Ok, so today I didn't go over my carbs and did better with my protein.  90 grams is still a lot to get in but definitely getting closer. Had a meal at a meeting too, which is a first and tomorrow will have a supper meeting too.

I really enjoyed my day at work today, came home for supper and went to group active with Anne. Then I had a great visit with Jason on the phone about the intricacies of salmon patties, blinkers lights and life in general. Love them so much!

Yesterday I weighed in at the y at 188 lbs, for a total loss of 106 lbs and 8 more to my next goal. I must say that I am still shocked every week as I had totally convinced myself that I could never eat this much and continue to lose. I think that part of my success is that I eat regularly and often.

Thankfully, elly

"I'm thankful to be breathing, on this side of the grass. Whatever comes, comes."  Ron Perlman

closer...or not...

I got much closer to my protein goal today, but also went over my carb goal! Pete, I appreciate the suggestion of a protein shake or bar once a day, and I may occasionally do that. For the most part I prefer to stick to real food as I'm not a big fan of the taste of most bars and get migraines when I have too much of the alcohol sugars that are used in a lot of them. Plus a can of tuna or salmon has more protein than any I've seen...

I think it's all part of the learning curve and I'm ok with it. It took me almost 60 years to learn what I've done in the past and I'm alright with taking whatever time it takes for me to sort it out. I think eventually I will get a routine that works during the week and keep it kind of static. Then I will mix it up more on the weekends. (Thanks for the suggestion, Mary) It also will cut down on the planning and prep during the week and I can do it ahead.

I think I may also be getting a little bit more stability back in my left knee and am only using the support when doing something very physical or walking outside. I hope it continues to improve.

Had a good Pilates class tonight with Anne. I hope to do the group active again tomorrow.

That's all folks, elly

pleasure

Funny girls, fruit snacks for breakfast, swimming, cousins, knitting loom action, phone calls, fresh strawberries and messages from friends. What a pleasant day.

I didn't get laundry done, oh well!  I did get some food ready for tomorrow and that feels like it's getting a little easier. I'm still having trouble getting enough protein without going over my calories, so that's a work in progress.

All in all, on the positive side for me! Kelly

"Pleasure and action make the hours seem short."  William Shakespeare

PS for Anne, we had lots of other healthy stuff first!

awesomeness

I know it's unusual to have so much awesomeness at a funeral, but we did.  Family reunion time.  His family seemed so happy to see all of us, as well as the rest of our extended family.  We sat with Lena, Joanne and Martin in the choir and the last song they did was Johnny Cash's "daddy sang bass".

I had already spent the morning at market with Kelly and her boys and Tim's digging in the basement, which was great too, and reminded me of the job we did at Sara's years ago.  Before I came home, I picked up the girls for a sleepover!

It's kind of hard to contain this much awesomeness in one day! elly