our new patio furniture arrives tomorrow, so we have a lot of cleaning up to do. i feel like my house has been under construction always. we are waiting for permits for our garage - it's falling down and missing the door!!! meanwhile, we have "stuff" all over the place. i want an HGTV house! the problem is my dear husband doesn't care about "trappings." i have to beg him to do anything beyond basic maintenance --and even that's a stretch. i wish we were on the same house (beautiful) page because i love him to death otherwise!

i have been enjoying a good week otherwise. i am on track to reach the 30 pounds gone this week and i feel very good about my accomplishment. my plan (basically south beach with a calorie cap) is working very well. i don't feel hungry and have tons of energy all of the time. i think i will make an appointment to see my doctor this month. i can't wait to see the look on his face when he sees me. i know my blood work will come back with excellent results! i am quite confident that i dodged the diabetes bullet! i shouldn't count my proverbial chickens before they hatch, but i am really feeling positive these days!

on weds we are going to the ymca to join the swim program. i am excited about the prospect of getting regular exercise and learning to swim better. of course i had to order some appropriate bathing attire. i couldn't imagine learning to swim (with an instructor) wearing one of the bathing suits i already own. let's just say i need a bit more coverage and leave it at that. i was lucky, because there were a lot of on-line sales so i was able to find a few in 2 different sizes to get me through the fall and hopefully winter. of course, wouldn't it be nice if they were all too big much sooner? i also purchased a swim cap and goggles. i am already laughing at the image of me in a bathing cap and goggles! (hey, I am the only one allowed to laugh at me!!) all i need is nose plugs and perhaps synchronized swimming will be next for me...

slight rant: the woman who takes care of my dad is a loud (and i mean loud) talker. i know my dad is hard of hearing, but she talks loudly on the phone too. how i long for the days when i could sit and read a book without hearing someone chattering in the next room. between her talking and the loud television (remember, dad doesn't hear well) some days i could just scream --but i don't because it just would add to the noise!!!!

ok time to hustle. i have lots of junk to get rid of...will my house ever be clean?? take care....

today's photo: our new backyard set