Took friend Mary Ann Van O. to SeaOaks for lunch. Instead of my usual, I splurged with the Cobb salad--oh, boy, and yummy-yum-yum! Of course, it's loaded with things I don't usually eat, including bacon, but I finished only half and took home the rest. Also had a Coors light.
It's funny that I have plenty of beer at home, but I never drink it there. It's not because I'm worried about the alcohol content, but I don't want to add to calorie intake. When I go out, though, I see no problem with a light one.
We stopped down the bay after to see Pat, then went to Parson's Seafood to see if they had flounder, but they didn't. Mary Ann came home with me and we chatted for an hour; she left as Pat came in.
I had the rest of the salad for dinner, along with a yam and was well satisfied. Gave Pat cube steak, but also made him potatoes Julianne. Think I'll go for flounder (him) and salmon (me) tonight.

(Imagine musical notes): Back in the saddle again...back with my good veggie friends.... Okay, I'll stop.
Took Pat to the endocrinologist in Ventnor yesterday and stopped on the way home at good ol' Santori's. Practically filled the back seat with broccoli, lettuces, tomatoes, onions, potatoes, lemons, bananas, feta, and acorn and butternut squash. Was intrigued by, and bought, a bag of "high fiber mini-bagels" for only 100 calories each. I usually put my breakfast cottage cheese on regular whole wheat bread with the same "cost," so bought them and will try today.
Had the rest of my lunch salad and a big bowl of broccoli for dinner, as I'm "eating low," so to speak, until I get weighed on Saturday and am back into my routine. (Guess that means eating low on the food chain, a good idea for everybody.)
Mary Ann V. called last night to ask if I could go to lunch. We both have various commitments other days, so settled on tomorrow. I'll pick her up and it's my turn to decide where to go, so I'll have to think of somewhere. Hmm...what's a good Caesar salad venue?

Just got back from dropping off son and DIL in Toms River--(sob). They took us to Calloway's for dinner last night and I really pulled out all the stops. Had lobster tails (two of them), mashed potatoes, and a Coors Light--even indulged in a roll. Of course, there's no point in eating lobster if it isn't drenched in melted butter and I made sure to have every piece dripping. Geesh, it was great.
When we got home, I gave Pat his nightly bowl of ice cream (butter pecan), talked to Ellen on the web cam, then went to bed. Brought along three Hershey Kisses, so topped off my eating frenzy with a fittingly decadent finale.
But okay, NOW I'm back. Will resume my vegetable-and-exercise routine to return to the 71-pounds-off level. I had told Susan I wouldn't walk today because of going to Toms River, but I got back in time and have decided to stop for her. It's true I got up at 3:30, so have had only five hours sleep, but I'll make it up later. I don't want to give myself a pass on walking because it too easily becomes a habit.

We had great fun at the Philadelphia Zoo yesterday, notwithstanding the incredibly dense traffic and enormous crowds. (Well, whaddya expect on a beautiful August Saturday?)
On the food front, I confined myself to what was called "Caesar salad" (possibly the worst I ever tasted, so I ate about an eighth of it), a "child-sized" (regular) Sprite, and a large soft pretzel. The stuff came with a little packet of two Oreos, and I ate them as we strolled around--figured they were minor empty calories.
We did, as usual, walk a lot--all day, in fact. We didn't sit down even to eat lunch, so we were essentially walking and standing for roughly four hours. Dropped son and wife off at bank before we went home, then stopped for cold cuts and we had them for dinner. Gave Pat soup and a cheese and tomato sandwiches and I had a Boca Burger on one piece of whole wheat. The Tokyo Twins stopped at the supermarket on the way home and got themselves enormous long rolls, which they enjoyed with sliced tomato, cucumber, and lettuce.
Still think I've gained and our guests are taking us out for dinner tonight. Oh, yes, I'll indulge again but no matter. I was able to button the white slacks I inherited from Alison (size 8 and too big for her), so the gain may not be significant. In any event, I'll deal with it.

Have been having an absolute ball with California daughter E. and Tokyo son and wife. Tearfully put former on the plane (well, I dropped her off at the airport) on Thursday, but we're still enjoying the other two.
On the weight front, I have some concern. My clothes still fit fine, but I'm pretty sure I've gained a few, as I've been deviating considerably from my usual. On Wednesday, daughter A. had us up for dinner (along with J., J., and the kiddies) and oh, yum-yum. I had more than one helping of maple and walnut salmon, teriaki chicken, corn on the cob, baked beans, and fresh string beans. What's more, after our anniversary party, I had frozen a large portion of the cake. I had planned at the time to share it with visiting children in August, so that's what I contributed that for dessert. We all enjoyed it, including yours truly. It was luscious, of course, but sinfully rich.
Son made catfish on Tuesday. He poached it with carrots, onions, and seasonings and I liked it a lot. However, he also made a delectable hummus and fresh chive concoction that we spread it on the dense bread they had bought. I ate plenty of that, too.
Earlier that day, we had gone to the aquarium in Atlantic City, then to Lucy the pachyderm in Margate. At son's insistance, we stopped at glorious Sacco Subs for lunch and I scarfed down "half of a half" of a regular sub, about the equivalent of four regular sandwiches and maybe six million calories. (Incrediably, very slender--about 5'8" and maybe 115 pounds--DIL ate her entire half and son--about 5'9" and maybe 135--ate a whole sub.)
Yesterday, we spent most of the day at the mall and supermarket and had lunch there. I had sushi (son and DIL ate Italian), so exercised okay damage control. However, son made his own version of fried rice for dinner, and DIL made chicken. I had both, and bread and butter, too, I'm afraid.
But, hey, I'm not terribly upset over all this. I have been over-eating, but also have gotten a lot of walking in. I am reconciled to being higher than I was at my last weigh-in, but I think by only a few pounds. As son and DIL will still be here tomorrow, I won't weigh in until next Saturday (and it will have been a month, I guess, since my last time) and I will have been back on the straight and narrow for five days, so no problem--I hope. If the gain is more than I like, I'll take it off in the coming weeks. In any event, will report it here.

Went way overboard at great-grandson's first birthday party yesterday. Washed down sausage, meatballs, pasta, and potato and corn salad with two and a half beers (well, they were light), and enjoyed every morsel. Also had two pieces of luscious birthday cake with not butter cream (delectable enough), but whipped cream icing--oh, yeah! However, ate only salad for dinner, had my usual wine and popcorn last night, and will resume normal eating habits today.

Met Viv at Calloway's for dinner last night. Had broiled flounder, "mixed vegetables" (I always think they just throw together the leftovers from lunch), and a baked potato. Skipped the rolls and butter, of course, but did enjoy a cup of corn chowder and a light beer.
It would have been a very pleasant evening catching up with each other's doings, except for the deafening noise of a child or children on the other side of the room, throwing tantrums and screaming almost throughout the entire time we were there. Kid(s) should have been taken out, but parents haughtily stared back at the amazed and annoyed diners who got up to look at them (including Viv and me).
Aside from that, we enjoyed our outing and will get together again. Went home to have popcorn and wine, of course, and will now pick Susan up for our walk.