Question:

The teflon V.P. —

snipped At the very least, couldn’t we have a Dr. Phil show with George W. and Dick the Prick – with Georgie Porgie telling Dr. Phil that he just doesn’t trust him like he used to, and Dr. Phil could put the trust back in their relationship. And we could send Colin Powell for celebrity makeover – where he would get Lasik eye surgery so that he could tell the difference between flat bed trucks and mobile truck mounted rocket launchers in grainy satellite photographs. Any other ideas? Doug Thomas

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The teflon V.P. — snipped At the very least, couldn’t we have a Dr. Phil show with George W. and Dick the Prick – with Georgie Porgie telling Dr. Phil that he just doesn’t trust him like he used to, and Dr. Phil could put the trust back in their relationship. And we could send Colin Powell for celebrity makeover – where he would get Lasik eye surgery so that he could tell the difference between flat bed trucks and mobile truck mounted rocket launchers in grainy satellite photographs. Any other ideas? Doug Thomas

From the look on Cheney’s face as well as Condi Rice’s and the other Bush Gangbangers during the SOTU speech, they all know they’re gong to jail. Marley – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

The teflon V.P.

As opposed to a teflon facilitator? steve

Response:

The teflon V.P. Updated: 04:25 AM EST Halliburton Tells Pentagon Workers Took Kickbacks By NEIL KING JR., Wall Street Journal WASHINGTON (Jan. 23) — Halliburton Co. has told the Pentagon that two employees took kickbacks valued at up to $6 million in return for awarding a Kuwaiti-based company with lucrative work supplying U.S. troops in Iraq.   The disclosure is the first firm indication of corruption involving U.S.-funded projects in Iraq and raises new questions about Halliburton’s dealings there. The company’s work already is being scrutinized because of accusations that the U.S. government was overcharged for gasoline under another controversial contract. Halliburton has strenuously defended its Iraq work as fairly priced and free of taint. A discovery of kickbacks could expose the company to hefty fines and other punishments such as potential fraud charges. At the least, contracting experts say, Halliburton will be required to reimburse the money. Any blow could be softened by the fact that Halliburton itself disclosed the misconduct to the Pentagon inspector general’s office this week. That disclosure came just days after the top Defense Department auditor asked the office to investigate whether Halliburton subsidiary Kellogg Brown & Root overcharged for fuel deliveries by more than $61 million.   The latest revelation, though, is sure to increase the already intense scrutiny Halliburton has received from congressional Democrats, some of whom charge that the Houston-based company benefited from political favoritism in securing lucrative work in Iraq. The news also is likely to further raise suspicions abroad that Iraq reconstruction work is largely benefiting U.S. companies and their employees. Vice President Dick Cheney, who was chairman of Halliburton until he left in 2000, defended the company Wednesday in a Fox Radio Network interview. "They get unfairly maligned simply because of their past association with me," he said. Halliburton stressed that it promptly told the Pentagon of the problem. "The key issue here is self-disclosure and self-reporting," a Halliburton spokeswoman said. "Halliburton internal auditors found the irregularity, which is a violation of our company’s philosophy, policy and our code of ethics. We found it quickly, and we immediately reported it to the inspector general. We do not tolerate this kind of behavior by anyone at any level in any Halliburton company." A company statement said the payments were "detected through the company’s internal control procedures." The company has fired the two employees, who were based in Kuwait and whose names were not disclosed. Halliburton said it could not discuss specifics of the matter because of a Pentagon review. KBR is now repairing Iraqi oil fields and supplying everything from food and laundry services to housing for U.S. troops and coalition officials in Iraq under two huge contracts valued at up to $16 billion. That work has so far cost nearly $6 billion, well over twice what has gone to all of the other 40 U.S. contractors in Iraq, according to government records. In all, the U.S. has so far funded a total of about $9 billion in Iraqi reconstruction costs, and expects to award contracts valued at another $18.6 billion. Both the congressional general accounting office and the Pentagon are now completing large-scale investigations of all U.S.-funded reconstruction work in Iraq. The alleged kickbacks involve the same KBR contracting office in Kuwait that handled the controversial gasoline contract. The Pentagon inspector general’s office received the disclosure while conducting its own review to decide whether to open a criminal investigation into the gasoline contract. Pentagon officials decline to comment on the status of that investigation. The current accusations do not involve the gasoline contract. Instead, the Kuwaiti company is said to have paid kickbacks to the KBR officials after winning lucrative subcontracts to help supply U.S. troops in Iraq under what’s known as KBR’s LogCap contract. U.S. officials declined to provide specifics on the subcontracts involved or the name of the company implicated in the payoffs. Halliburton said in a statement that its disclosure of what it called a "potential overcharge" was a sign of its "diligence" in managing its Iraq contracts. "KBR will ensure that questionable charges will be credited to the government and will seek recovery from the offending subcontractor." Halliburton negotiated its current LogCap contract with a very thin profit margin of 1% over costs. It has a maximum bonus of an added 2% available if it delivers the needed services in an expeditious way. But under these so-called cost-plus arrangements, companies have little incentive to rein in costs or to assure that they pick the most competitive subcontractors, since the higher the costs, the higher the profit. The disclosure comes as Pentagon documents continue to raise broader questions about KBR’s financial controls in Iraq. A previously undisclosed Jan. 13 memorandum from a branch office of the Defense Contract Audit Agency labels as "inadequate" KBR’s system for accurately estimating the cost of ongoing work in order to justify payments. The memo was sent to various Army contracting officials. The Pentagon has had to reject two huge proposed bills from KBR, including one for $2.7 billion, because of myriad "deficiencies," the memo says. "We consider [the company's] estimates in the area of subcontracts to be inadequate," the memo says. The agency is now auditing proposed KBR bills totaling $2.1 billion, the memo says. Pentagon auditors last month said that KBR’s Kuwaiti supplier, Altanmia Commercial Marketing Co., was charging the U.S. almost double the market price for gasoline. Auditors said the overcharging amounted to $61 million through September, and as much as $20 million a month since then. The Army Corps defended the company’s hiring of Altanmia in a lengthy Jan. 6 report. The report said KBR had "urgent and compelling needs" to use the Kuwaiti supplier, even at significantly higher prices than other potential suppliers. Still, Pentagon officials are likely to home in on the circumstances under which KBR hired Altanmia. The Army Corps report says KBR picked Altanmia on May 5 after making phone calls to just two other bidders. Officials say there is no indication of kickbacks involving Altanmia. A number of anonymous whistleblowers have come forward in recent weeks with often-detailed allegations of KBR wrongdoing in Kuwait, including accusations of paybacks from companies that received lucrative subcontracting work from KBR, according to U.S. officials and congressional sources. These reports in turn have been taken up by the Pentagon’s IG office. The Pentagon’s fuel unit, the Defense Energy Support Center, solicited bids Thursday for three fuel-delivery contracts meant to replace the work that KBR is now performing. KBR officials have said for months that they wanted out of the work, which they described as dangerous and not very profitable. Copyright

Question:

You can do it with QuickBooks using iif (QB import/export files) files or using XML if you have QB 2002 Pro and the free SDK. I find the iif easier to work with and have an application that imports 1600 invoices per month (using iif) from a custom maintenance work order system. The monthly iif files has about 10,000 lines in it and imports into QB 2001 in about 10 minutes.

Yes, thanks… I’ve had a look at QB and though it will take a bit to figure out what’s important in the IIF files and what isn’t it appears that this might well do the job (and within our modest budget as well)

Response:

The SDK is free and works with QuickBooks 2002 Pro and above. Although it doesn’t work as quickly as iif, it is less error prone. Also, the SDK forum has had postings form Intuit employees saying iif will eventually be phased out.  So by using the SDK, you’ll probably create a more long lived tool.  You can find the SDK forum at http://developer.intuit.com/forums . IDN Member – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You can do it with QuickBooks using iif (QB import/export files) files or using XML if you have QB 2002 Pro and the free SDK. I find the iif easier to work with and have an application that imports 1600 invoices per month (using iif) from a custom maintenance work order system. The monthly iif files has about 10,000 lines in it and imports into QB 2001 in about 10 minutes. Yes, thanks… I’ve had a look at QB and though it will take a bit to figure out what’s important in the IIF files and what isn’t it appears that this might well do the job (and within our modest budget as well)

Response:

The SDK is free and works with QuickBooks 2002 Pro and above. Although it doesn’t work as quickly as iif, it is less error prone. Also, the SDK forum has had postings form Intuit employees saying iif will eventually be phased out.  So by using the SDK, you’ll probably create a more long lived tool.  You can find the SDK forum at http://developer.intuit.com/forums .

Thanks. It isn’t clear at first glance what SDK is, but if they are phasing out IIF files then I suppose it is something to look at right away.

Response:

The SDK is free and works with QuickBooks 2002 Pro and above. Although it doesn’t work as quickly as iif, it is less error prone. Also, the SDK forum has had postings form Intuit employees saying iif will eventually be phased out.  So by using the SDK, you’ll probably create a more long lived tool.  You can find the SDK forum at http://developer.intuit.com/forums . Thanks. It isn’t clear at first glance what SDK is, but if they are phasing out IIF files then I suppose it is something to look at right away.

Software Developers Kit (SDK).  SDK’s are tools, usually offered for a particular piece of software by that software’s vendor e.g. M$ has a solution referred to as a Digital Dashboard.  One may obtain the SDK for the Digital Dashboard and develop customized solutions in-house. Customizations are a double-edged sword, and that is the reason I cautioned earlier about getting a package that requires writing/modifying existing code to get the functionality you need out of the software in question. Unless you have deep pockets, or in-house staff to develop the customizations with the SDK, you may not be any better off in the long run.  I can see why developers like the package…job security. Theoretically, getting exactly what your business needs from a software package sounds ideal, but weigh the contraindications as well as the benefits derived.  I am not saying that this is not a viable solution, but I do recommend analyzing the decision thoroughly before heading down the customization road. Regards, Dan Edwards, President JnD Consulting, Inc.

Response:

You can do it with QuickBooks using iif (QB import/export files) files or using XML if you have QB 2002 Pro and the free SDK. I find the iif easier to work with and have an application that imports 1600 invoices per month (using iif) from a custom maintenance work order system. The monthly iif files has about 10,000 lines in it and imports into QB 2001 in about 10 minutes. — Karl E Irvin, CPA Arlington, Texas

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does there exist an accounting software package for small businesses that will allow transaction information to be imported from an external file? For (a bad) example, Simply Accounting will allow importation of invoice totals to the Accounts Receivable part of the General Ledger, but will NOT import the invoice detail information (client, invoice#, # of units, etc) to the AR details subledger. This makes invoice-payment reconciliation all but impossible. The alternative so far is to hire some poor erk to read the information off the actual invoice (generated automatically from our processing database) and then retype it all by hand into the accounting program.

Response:

Does there exist an accounting software package for small businesses that will allow transaction information to be imported from an external file? For (a bad) example, Simply Accounting will allow importation of invoice totals to the Accounts Receivable part of the General Ledger, but will NOT import the invoice detail information (client, invoice#, # of units, etc) to the AR details subledger. This makes invoice-payment reconciliation all but impossible. The alternative so far is to hire some poor erk to read the information off the actual invoice (generated automatically from our processing database) and then retype it all by hand into the accounting program.

Response:

Question:

A friend and I took the Nov. 2001 CPA Exam.  She passed LPR, ARE and FARE, but scored 74 in AUDIT.  The teacher of our review course says that appealing to try to get the extra one point (75 is passing) rarely if ever succeeds and is a waste of money? Does anyone know someone who has gone through this, and the result? Thanks! Mara <<

Response:

A friend and I took the Nov. 2001 CPA Exam.  She passed LPR, ARE and FARE, but scored 74 in AUDIT.  The teacher of our review course says that appealing to try to get the extra one point (75 is passing) rarely if ever succeeds and is a waste of money? Does anyone know someone who has gone through this, and the result?

I know of appeals in North Carolina, Virginia and Minnesota. In each case, the regraders were unable to justify the original grade being as high as it was. In other words, if the graders in New York can’t find an excuse to give you a point, there isn’t a point to be given. Regards, Bill

Response:

First of all, I would like to congratulate your friend on the results, although it must be frustrating to know that obtaining the designation depends on 1 point. How did she study for the exam, did she only depend on the review course and did she have any post graduate degrees (Masters in accountancy) prior to taking the review course ? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A friend and I took the Nov. 2001 CPA Exam.  She passed LPR, ARE and FARE, but scored 74 in AUDIT.  The teacher of our review course says that appealing to try to get the extra one point (75 is passing) rarely if ever succeeds and is a waste of money? Does anyone know someone who has gone through this, and the result? Thanks! Mara <<

Response:

How did she study for the exam, did she only depend on the review course and did she have any post graduate degrees (Masters in accountancy) prior to taking the review course ?

Yes, a Master’s but in another discipline. We both prepared using the review course, the Gleim books, and a lot of outside class study. Are you taking the May exam? Mara <<

Response:

You mentioned alot of outside class study, could you translate it into how many hours on average a week ? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How did she study for the exam, did she only depend on the review course and did she have any post graduate degrees (Masters in accountancy) prior to taking the review course ? Yes, a Master’s but in another discipline. We both prepared using the review course, the Gleim books, and a lot of outside class study. Are you taking the May exam? Mara <<

Response:

AIR, and dating from twenty years ago;  The condenses was that it took 800 hours (8 hours a day for 100 days before the exam) of study for a person with a good  B.S. in Accounting to pass the examination. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You mentioned alot of outside class study, could you translate it into how many hours on average a week ? How did she study for the exam, did she only depend on the review course and did she have any post graduate degrees (Masters in accountancy) prior to taking the review course ? Yes, a Master’s but in another discipline. We both prepared using the review course, the Gleim books, and a lot of outside class study. Are you taking the May exam? Mara <<

– *             Ronald Lee Todd M.B.A., C.P.A.                  * *  Unemployed for six years, mistake of being an accountant.  * *    From the Socialist People’s Republic of Kalifornia,      * *           the Seventh worst state for business,             * *                   Ayn Rand was right                        *

Response:

You mentioned alot of outside class study, could you translate it into how many hours on average a week ?

Most days my combined work/review class schedule was 7am to 9:30pm plus driving time.  The other evenings two to three hours each, and a half day on my one day off.  I also took the last ten days before class off and pretty much just studied and slept.  To summarize: A Typical Week Work – 40 hours (flexible schedule) Review Course – 22 hours Self-Study – 10 to 14 hours depending on how tired I was or if I had to work overtime, but included review tapes in the car driving to and from class. Mara <<

Response:

 May I ask you for how long (months) and does a review course cover "most" of the things that are in the exam, or are there questions that never pop up in a course ? The reasom I’m asking is that Becker offers only 8 hours of classes a week for a period of 3-4 months. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Most days my combined work/review class schedule was 7am to 9:30pm plus driving time.  The other evenings two to three hours each, and a half day on my one day off.  I also took the last ten days before class off and pretty much just studied and slept.  To summarize: A Typical Week Work – 40 hours (flexible schedule) Review Course – 22 hours Self-Study – 10 to 14 hours depending on how tired I was or if I had to work overtime, but included review tapes in the car driving to and from class. Mara <<

Response:

From what I’ve heard, Becker requires two to four homework hours for each class hour.

… The reasom I’m asking is that Becker offers only 8 hours of classes a week for a period of 3-4 months.

… — *             Ronald Lee Todd M.B.A., C.P.A.                  * *  Unemployed for six years, mistake of being an accountant.  * *    From the Socialist People’s Republic of Kalifornia,      * *           the Seventh worst state for business,             * *                   Ayn Rand was right                        *

Response:

Actually according to Becker’s brochure it’s 90 – 110 % of the time in class – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – From what I’ve heard, Becker requires two to four homework hours for each class hour. … The reasom I’m asking is that Becker offers only 8 hours of classes a week for a period of 3-4 months. … — *             Ronald Lee Todd M.B.A., C.P.A.                  * *  Unemployed for six years, mistake of being an accountant.  * *    From the Socialist People’s Republic of Kalifornia,      * *           the Seventh worst state for business,             * *                   Ayn Rand was right                        *

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – May I ask you for how long (months) and does a review course cover "most" of the things that are in the exam, or are there questions that never pop up in a course ? The reasom I’m asking is that Becker offers only 8 hours of classes a week for a period of 3-4 months.

My course was mid-July to the end of October.  I didn’t see anything on the exam that wasn’t discussed in the course.   Perhaps the reason my hours were longer is that my instructor offered review at times before and after the new material for any given session. Mara <<

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Actually according to Becker’s brochure it’s 90 – 110 % of the time in class From what I’ve heard, Becker requires two to four homework hours for each class hour. The reasom I’m asking is that Becker offers only 8 hours of classes a week for a period of 3-4 months.

This may be the reason for the difference.  While my instructor encouraged us to study in our spare time, there was no *homework* per se, as he felt it was more practical to do the reinforcement with the group.   As a personal aside, my course purposefully ended ten days before the exam in order to give us the option to either take an "intensive" with the instructor, or to do final preparation on our own.  I chose to do the final on my own because I had areas that needed much more focus than others. Mara <<

Response:

Question:

You want to know what Excel can do for your business today… Visit this Excel Spreadsheet solution for small business site: http://www.microsheet.com They have ready made Excel spreadsheets … Budget Planner, Expense Report, Invoice software…

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What are the main uses to which Excel is put in business these days? Budgeting and consolidations used to be the favorites but now there are specialized programs for those applications, whilst accounting programs have been enhanced. i have also seen it used as a simple database.  ie, for keeping track of cntacts, addresses, etc.  it has an advantage over access in that it is simple and can be opened in more than one version without getting corrupted. still used for the purposes you stated. — sarah clark I am aware that the conclusions arrived at in this work will be denounced by some as highly irreligious; but he who denounces them is bound to shew why it is more irreligious to explain the origin of man as a distinct species by descent from some lower form, through the laws of variation and natural selection, than to explain the birth of the individual through the laws of ordinary reproduction. —Charles Darwin

Response:

What are the main uses to which Excel is put in business these days? Budgeting and consolidations used to be the favorites but now there are specialized programs for those This is a lot like asking "What are the main uses of numeric characters in business these days?"   –the answer is "Nearly everything." Let’s put it another way. Many companies used to use Excel for budgeting and consolidations but have now moved on to specialist programs. I’m just interested to know what their *main* Excel applications are nowadays, not the minor ones.

One of the sharpest guys I ever worked for, at PWC TOkyo, once remarked to me that "Whenever you get to the point you’re doing something in Excel, you’re dead." The accounting value chain starts with source data, proceeds through various stewardship stages including consolidations, into design and implementation of various reports and information dissemination. Accountants should be measured on the efficiency and accuracy with which they can acquire source data.  This is the first obligation and requirement of the job.  Accountants need to become ambassadors for their company, calling upon management in their customer and supplier entities to discuss EDI and XML interfaces. Accountants should be measured on their skill at selecting and implementing software which is most suited for their professional needs and the needs of the organization.  If not accountants, who will do this?  Stewardship of information means acquiring all of the correct attributes of transactions, managing their storage, and flowing the data to downstream consumers at appropriate levels of summarization and format to be useful to those consumers. Excel makes an excellent automation front end, and information presentation platform.  You can feed information into it from multiple sources and compute a fantastic array of charts, ratios and actions and triggers.  That is the best use for Excel. Even a bonehead like me can build ‘cool stuf’ in excel with vba. But building all those things today is nuts.  You should be building them to run on a webserver, with open standards, and newer more powerful languages than VBA (e.g. python, java) and scripting glues (perl, php3, cold fusion etc etc). It is absolutely required for accountants to get away from the Microsoft OLE automation mentality because no matter how cool your in-house automation might be, you are never going to make headway in automating your data acquisition from 3rd parties. Microsoft Office is a proprietary architecture.  You are just causing everybody a lot of pain.  The business environment is migrating steadily towards conducting transactions electronically, in standard XML vocabularies. And if you’re actually entering data into Excel, manually, you may be wasting huge amounts of time. Here read this:   http://www.gldialtone.com/metadataPledge.htm * Todd F. Boyle CPA    http://www.GLDialtone.com/ * XML accounting, web ledgers, BSPs, ASPs, whatever it takes

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What are the main uses to which Excel is put in business these days? Budgeting and consolidations used to be the favorites but now there are specialized programs for those applications, whilst accounting programs have been enhanced. i have also seen it used as a simple database.  ie, for keeping track of cntacts, addresses, etc.  it has an advantage over access in that it is simple and can be opened in more than one version without getting corrupted. still used for the purposes you stated. In the mid-sized businesses  (~4mil annual revenues) I have been using recently, excel was used extensively for almost everything before their first audit.  It is actually very overused, and is inadequate for all the uses it is applied to.

yes, i would generally agree with you, but i thought he asked how it _was_ used not how it should be used. If you are considering it, I would highly recommend using a database (even something as simple as dBase or Access if that is all you have) as much as possible to reduce errors and to increase the versatility of the data you enter.

the problem with access is incompatablity among versions, also people who design databases without understanding efficient database structures generally don’t do it very well.  you end up with a mess.   not saying it isn’t better, because a properly designed database is better than excell. however a poorly designed database is frequently worse. Just my 2 cents.

mines worth one penny! — sarah clark I am aware that the conclusions arrived at in this work will be denounced by some as highly irreligious; but he who denounces them is bound to shew why it is more irreligious to explain the origin of man as a distinct species by descent from some lower form, through the laws of variation and natural selection, than to explain the birth of the individual through the laws of ordinary reproduction. —Charles Darwin

Response:

I use Excel to propogate 6/49 lotto ticket numbers.  No great luck yet, but am ever hopeful. Peter

Response:

What are the main uses to which Excel is put in business these days? Budgeting and consolidations used to be the favorites but now there are specialized programs for those applications, whilst accounting programs have been enhanced.

Response:

What are the main uses to which Excel is put in business these days? Budgeting and consolidations used to be the favorites but now there are specialized programs for those applications, whilst accounting programs have been enhanced.

i have also seen it used as a simple database.  ie, for keeping track of cntacts, addresses, etc.  it has an advantage over access in that it is simple and can be opened in more than one version without getting corrupted. still used for the purposes you stated. — sarah clark I am aware that the conclusions arrived at in this work will be denounced by some as highly irreligious; but he who denounces them is bound to shew why it is more irreligious to explain the origin of man as a distinct species by descent from some lower form, through the laws of variation and natural selection, than to explain the birth of the individual through the laws of ordinary reproduction. —Charles Darwin

Response:

What are the main uses to which Excel is put in business these days? Budgeting and consolidations used to be the favorites but now there are specialized programs for those applications, whilst accounting programs have been enhanced. This is a lot like asking "What are the main uses of numeric characters in business these days?" To a facile user, the answer is "Nearly

everything." Let’s put it another way. Many companies used to use Excel for budgeting and consolidations but have now moved on to specialist programs. I’m just interested to know what their *main* Excel applications are nowadays, not the minor ones.

Response:

What are the main uses to which Excel is put in business these days? Budgeting and consolidations used to be the favorites but now there are specialized programs for those applications, whilst accounting programs have been enhanced. i have also seen it used as a simple database.  ie, for keeping track of cntacts, addresses, etc.  it has an advantage over access in that it is simple and can be opened in more than one version without getting corrupted. still used for the purposes you stated.

In the mid-sized businesses  (~4mil annual revenues) I have been using recently, excel was used extensively for almost everything before their first audit.  It is actually very overused, and is inadequate for all the uses it is applied to.   If you are considering it, I would highly recommend using a database (even something as simple as dBase or Access if that is all you have) as much as possible to reduce errors and to increase the versatility of the data you enter. Just my 2 cents.

Response:

Question:

Sounds as if you could use some rest!  Congrats on the success of your Wedding. I am really looking forward to seeing that web page!  Doe <snipped So that’s where I am. A little shaky, but still basking in the glow of what was just a fabulous weekend. (We’ve had a lot of the attendees tell us that we have a future as wedding planners if we ever want it!) You know it must have been fantastic if all of the stuff with my back is just a footnote in my mind…. And the web page is coming soon, I promise. — –jd 239/179.5/159, then we’ll see   started 1/2/99 (calorie counting)

– Best Wishes, Doe Take out the "nut" to reply "Sometimes wisdom comes with age; sometimes age comes alone." Unknown

Response:

Greetings, ASD– I’ve poked my head in a few times to check on how folks are doing (congrats to all the losers (especially to Kay and KC!)), but I still don’t really consider myself "back." The wedding was so wonderful, and I had worked so hard getting ready for it (not just in terms of weight loss), that the re- entry into real life has been pretty rough. I’m still exhausted, and there’s still so much to do! (photos, videos, thank you notes, etc. etc.) And there’s one little thing that happened in Las Vegas that has also had my body reeling. You may recall my continuing back troubles (ruptured disk) in February and March. By the two days before the wedding, I was having such terrible sciatica and muscle spasms in my left leg that I couldn’t walk more than two or three minutes without having to stop and rest. But on the day of the wedding, adrenalin kicked in, I felt fine, and I danced the night away. Late that night (we stayed out with friends after the reception until 5 am) it started acting up again. By Monday morning, I woke up in unbelievable pain, completely unable to walk. We had to get the hotel’s on-call doctor, who loaded me up with quite a cocktail of pain meds to get me through the week. I’m mostly pain-free now, and RX-free, too, and feel on the mend. But I’m so, so, so tired! (And I’ve been reminded all week how much I hate my job, but that I had been able to ignore it while getting ready for the wedding.) Needless to say, none of this makes getting back on the WOE wagon very easy. To make it even harder, I’ve been eating a lot of junk for two weeks, and yet I still weigh 179.5 (guess that metabolism is still revved up). But I rode the stationary bike this morning for the first time, and I always drink all my water, so I hope to slowly get back in the groove. I’ve set a new goal of getting to 164 by my birthday (Aug. 9), which is about a pound a week. So that’s where I am. A little shaky, but still basking in the glow of what was just a fabulous weekend. (We’ve had a lot of the attendees tell us that we have a future as wedding planners if we ever want it!) You know it must have been fantastic if all of the stuff with my back is just a footnote in my mind…. And the web page is coming soon, I promise. — –jd 239/179.5/159, then we’ll see   started 1/2/99 (calorie counting)

Response:

welcome back jd! glad you’re almost pain free too! Julie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Greetings, ASD– I’ve poked my head in a few times to check on how folks are doing (congrats to all the losers (especially to Kay and KC!)), but I still don’t really consider myself "back." The wedding was so wonderful, and I had worked so hard getting ready for it (not just in terms of weight loss), that the re- entry into real life has been pretty rough. I’m still exhausted, and there’s still so much to do! (photos, videos, thank you notes, etc. etc.) And there’s one little thing that happened in Las Vegas that has also had my body reeling. You may recall my continuing back troubles (ruptured disk) in February and March. By the two days before the wedding, I was having such terrible sciatica and muscle spasms in my left leg that I couldn’t walk more than two or three minutes without having to stop and rest. But on the day of the wedding, adrenalin kicked in, I felt fine, and I danced the night away. Late that night (we stayed out with friends after the reception until 5 am) it started acting up again. By Monday morning, I woke up in unbelievable pain, completely unable to walk. We had to get the hotel’s on-call doctor, who loaded me up with quite a cocktail of pain meds to get me through the week. I’m mostly pain-free now, and RX-free, too, and feel on the mend. But I’m so, so, so tired! (And I’ve been reminded all week how much I hate my job, but that I had been able to ignore it while getting ready for the wedding.) Needless to say, none of this makes getting back on the WOE wagon very easy. To make it even harder, I’ve been eating a lot of junk for two weeks, and yet I still weigh 179.5 (guess that metabolism is still revved up). But I rode the stationary bike this morning for the first time, and I always drink all my water, so I hope to slowly get back in the groove. I’ve set a new goal of getting to 164 by my birthday (Aug. 9), which is about a pound a week. So that’s where I am. A little shaky, but still basking in the glow of what was just a fabulous weekend. (We’ve had a lot of the attendees tell us that we have a future as wedding planners if we ever want it!) You know it must have been fantastic if all of the stuff with my back is just a footnote in my mind…. And the web page is coming soon, I promise. — –jd 239/179.5/159, then we’ll see   started 1/2/99 (calorie counting)

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m mostly pain-free now, and RX-free, too, and feel on the mend. But I’m so, so, so tired! (And I’ve been reminded all week how much I hate my job, but that I had been able to ignore it while getting ready for the wedding.) Needless to say, none of this makes getting back on the WOE wagon very easy. To make it even harder, I’ve been eating a lot of junk for two weeks, and yet I still weigh 179.5 (guess that metabolism is still revved up). But I rode the stationary bike this morning for the first time, and I always drink all my water, so I hope to slowly get back in the groove. I’ve set a new goal of getting to 164 by my birthday (Aug. 9), which is about a pound a week. So that’s where I am. A little shaky, but still basking in the glow of what was just a fabulous weekend. (We’ve had a lot of the attendees tell us that we have a future as wedding planners if we ever want it!) You know it must have been fantastic if all of the stuff with my back is just a footnote in my mind…. And the web page is coming soon, I promise.

Jd, it’s great to hear from you, but I read your news with mixed feelings.  The pictures you put up showed a happy, happy bride, and how wonderful you looked.  It was worth all that work, don’t you think?  Looking forward to seeing more, when you have the time. Real life can be a pain in more ways than one, but you’ve always had a good attitude, and you’ve gotten through until now with worse than this.  Sciatica is no picnic, and I feel for you.  Please be careful about the exercise and don’t overdo things. Have a much better week, and you don’t need me to tell you that eating off-WOE won’t make the back feel any better. With your guts and determination, you’ll make that goal, jd! Cheers, Kay 232/147/<145 (lowcarb since 98/12/26) D2K Everest: 3445/11298 feet, Base Camp to Summit

Response:

Sounds as if you could use some rest!  Congrats on the success of your Wedding. I am really looking forward to seeing that web page!  Doe

Thanks, Doe! The web page is about half done, just waiting on the pictures the reception photographer took plus a bunch that my brother took at various events. I feel much more rested this morning. Not that I really rested so much yesterday, but maybe my bike ride (pathetic as it was) already helped my system kick back into gear a bit. And I’m keeping track of my minutes for my next Des2K–it’s a revisit to all of my favorite highways from my previous solo cross-country drives. The web page for that is in the works, too (because I don’t have enough to do! LOL!), but it goes from DC out through Minnesota and South Dakota to my family’s property in Wyoming, then up through Montana to Glacier National Park, back down through Yellowstone to Cody, WY (where I briefly lived once), then back through the Black Hills to Nebraska and Iowa and home. Well over 5,000 miles. I’m going to do a straight minutes-for-miles accounting this time…. — –jd 239/179.5/159, then we’ll see   started 1/2/99 (calorie counting)

Response:

Jd, it’s great to hear from you, but I read your news with mixed feelings.  The pictures you put up showed a happy, happy bride, and how wonderful you looked.  It was worth all that work, don’t you think?  Looking forward to seeing more, when you have the time.

Hi Kay– Oh yes, the wedding was worth all the work, in so many ways. We had a lot of events (rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, a three-hour "meet-and-greet" happy hour for all of the attendees the evening before the wedding, a bridesmaids’ lunch, plus the ceremony and reception and dinner), and Bill and I and my mother did a lot of prep work, but it was all worth it. <back patting mode on We had so many people tell us that it was the best wedding they had ever been to, and even the catering staff at Bellagio told us that my reception timeline couldn’t have been any better, and how impressed they were that it all came out on time! The food at the reception was absolutely phenomenal, and the reception room we were in was stunning, with its own private balcony overlooking the pool area. Even the ceremony itself, which we had little control over (other than the music and who participated) was very nice, and also received a lot of compliments, And I had done all of the music for the reception and dinner, picking out the 5 1/2-hours-worth of tunes and then ordering them and burning them onto CDs (no DJ or cover band for me!), so it was perhaps my greatest reward to see everyone get out on the dance floor (not just the kids, but friends of my parents) and really enjoy the music. When you have 115 people travel many many many miles to a city that people either love or hate, you can be overwhelmed by the fear that they’re going to have a rotten time, but everyone seemed to have a blast. Another reward. And then, there was all of the comments about my weight loss. Or not even so much about that specifically, just a lot of really nice compliments about how great I looked. My brother’s toast mentioned it, but he was framing it in terms of all of the self-confidence and self-esteem I’ve gained in the past year. To get any sort of compliment from him is, well, unusual, and so very special. And what he said all kind of ties in–the change in my WOL, and the weight loss, really has allowed me to be so much happier, so much more sure of myself, and that probably showed through in every aspect of the wedding. <back-patting mode off Real life can be a pain in more ways than one, but you’ve always had a good attitude, and you’ve gotten through until now with worse than this.  Sciatica is no picnic, and I feel for you.  Please be careful about the exercise and don’t overdo things.

Definitely. I did ride yesterday, but between wanting to not push myself and the fact that I haven’t ridden for three weeks, it wasn’t exactly a high- energy workout! And the fact that my doctor mentioned the "S" word (surgery)   for the first time if I have another bout, that’s a pretty good incentive to do what I need to to keep this from happening again! Have a much better week, and you don’t need me to tell you that eating off-WOE won’t make the back feel any better.

Yup. The scale finally creeped up this morning (deservedly), which is the final mental kick-in-the-pants I need. But I also feel much better today, much more rested. And I’m about to get on the bike again for another not- too-overtaxing-ride. I’ve got that new Des2K to get started on! (web page to come) With your guts and determination, you’ll make that goal, jd!

Thanks, Kay, for all of your support, as always. And, man, seeing you in the 140s makes me start to dream of that number for myself…. — –jd 239/179.5/159, then we’ll see   started 1/2/99 (calorie counting)

Response:

welcome back jd! glad you’re almost pain free too!

Thanks, Julie, and I’ve been reading that you almost are, too? (meaning your term is almost over, LOL) — –jd 239/179.5/159, then we’ll see   started 1/2/99 (calorie counting)

Response:

I am so glad the wedding came off so well for you, JD! I can’t imagine planning such a thing, I’d not know where to start even! Anyway, you looked super in the pictures I saw, so that adrenalin must’ve been helpful <G! I’m glad you are on the mend, please do take care. Good to hear you are getting back on track. Can’t wait for the page! — Cynthia 262/199.4/190 for now my own style low fat/high fiber diet Des2K–CA to MD minutes=3105/1996 Des2K–CA to MD miles=2833/208.80

Response:

Great to hear from you again jd.  Don’t overdo it on the leg.  How I sympathise with you on the return to real life!!  I’m not too keen on my job, and I always feel like death when I have to go back after a holiday – it must be ten times worse for you.   Never mind, the main thing is the wonderful years you have ahead of you with your DH.  Hang onto that, it’s worth a lot! janice 23% of the way to goal – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Greetings, ASD– I’ve poked my head in a few times to check on how folks are doing (congrats to all the losers (especially to Kay and KC!)), but I still don’t really consider myself "back." The wedding was so wonderful, and I had worked so hard getting ready for it (not just in terms of weight loss), that the re- entry into real life has been pretty rough. I’m still exhausted, and there’s still so much to do! (photos, videos, thank you notes, etc. etc.) And there’s one little thing that happened in Las Vegas that has also had my body reeling. You may recall my continuing back troubles (ruptured disk) in February and March. By the two days before the wedding, I was having such terrible sciatica and muscle spasms in my left leg that I couldn’t walk more than two or three minutes without having to stop and rest. But on the day of the wedding, adrenalin kicked in, I felt fine, and I danced the night away. Late that night (we stayed out with friends after the reception until 5 am) it started acting up again. By Monday morning, I woke up in unbelievable pain, completely unable to walk. We had to get the hotel’s on-call doctor, who loaded me up with quite a cocktail of pain meds to get me through the week. I’m mostly pain-free now, and RX-free, too, and feel on the mend. But I’m so, so, so tired! (And I’ve been reminded all week how much I hate my job, but that I had been able to ignore it while getting ready for the wedding.) Needless to say, none of this makes getting back on the WOE wagon very easy. To make it even harder, I’ve been eating a lot of junk for two weeks, and yet I still weigh 179.5 (guess that metabolism is still revved up). But I rode the stationary bike this morning for the first time, and I always drink all my water, so I hope to slowly get back in the groove. I’ve set a new goal of getting to 164 by my birthday (Aug. 9), which is about a pound a week. So that’s where I am. A little shaky, but still basking in the glow of what was just a fabulous weekend. (We’ve had a lot of the attendees tell us that we have a future as wedding planners if we ever want it!) You know it must have been fantastic if all of the stuff with my back is just a footnote in my mind…. And the web page is coming soon, I promise.

Response:

You looked so happy in your wedding pictures, I’m glad it was all worth it. I’ve never had back pain, so I wouldn’t have been able to relate, except recently (it turns out this not uncommon) being 25 weeks into pregnancy, I’ve found that I am having serious sciatica pains myself.  The growing fetus tends to lay right across those lower back nerves, and it can cut off returning circulation too.  The pain that comes from the lower back, it is quite unbearable.  My hat is off to you, for continuing on your WOE and exercising all through the worst parts.  You inspire me!  Of course, losing weight has got to be helping your back problems, no?  I’ve gained 12 pounds in the last 6 months, which is fine according to the doctor’s charts, but not so nice when it seems just about all of it is centered around my growing belly.  My back has never felt worse, but exercise has been helping.  I can’t wait to see your updated website! Smiling Mrs. B

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Greetings, ASD– I’ve poked my head in a few times to check on how folks are doing (congrats to all the losers (especially to Kay and KC!)), but I still don’t really consider myself "back." The wedding was so wonderful, and I had worked so hard getting ready for it (not just in terms of weight loss), that the re- entry into real life has been pretty rough. I’m still exhausted, and there’s still so much to do! (photos, videos, thank you notes, etc. etc.) And there’s one little thing that happened in Las Vegas that has also had my body reeling. You may recall my continuing back troubles (ruptured disk) in February and March. By the two days before the wedding, I was having such terrible sciatica and muscle spasms in my left leg that I couldn’t walk more than two or three minutes without having to stop and rest. But on the day of the wedding, adrenalin kicked in, I felt fine, and I danced the night away. Late that night (we stayed out with friends after the reception until 5 am) it started acting up again. By Monday morning, I woke up in unbelievable pain, completely unable to walk. We had to get the hotel’s on-call doctor, who loaded me up with quite a cocktail of pain meds to get me through the week. I’m mostly pain-free now, and RX-free, too, and feel on the mend. But I’m so, so, so tired! (And I’ve been reminded all week how much I hate my job, but that I had been able to ignore it while getting ready for the wedding.) Needless to say, none of this makes getting back on the WOE wagon very easy. To make it even harder, I’ve been eating a lot of junk for two weeks, and yet I still weigh 179.5 (guess that metabolism is still revved up). But I rode the stationary bike this morning for the first time, and I always drink all my water, so I hope to slowly get back in the groove. I’ve set a new goal of getting to 164 by my birthday (Aug. 9), which is about a pound a week. So that’s where I am. A little shaky, but still basking in the glow of what was just a fabulous weekend. (We’ve had a lot of the attendees tell us that we have a future as wedding planners if we ever want it!) You know it must have been fantastic if all of the stuff with my back is just a footnote in my mind…. And the web page is coming soon, I promise. — –jd 239/179.5/159, then we’ll see   started 1/2/99 (calorie counting)

Response:

<back patting mode on We had so many people tell us that it was the best wedding they had ever been to, and even the catering staff at Bellagio told us that my reception timeline couldn’t have been any better, and how impressed they were that it all came out on time! The food at the reception was absolutely phenomenal, and the reception room we were in was stunning, with its own private balcony overlooking the pool area. Even the ceremony itself, which we had little control over (other than the music and who participated) was very nice, and also received a lot of compliments, And I had done all of the music for the reception and dinner, picking out the 5 1/2-hours-worth of tunes and then ordering them and burning them onto CDs (no DJ or cover band for me!), so it was perhaps my greatest reward to see everyone get out on the dance floor (not just the kids, but friends of my parents) and really enjoy the music.

You sound like one teriffic planner.  I can’t imagine organising that big an event in a city a zillion miles away, so hats off to you.  And what, no Elvis impersonator for the wedding? When you have 115 people travel many many many miles to a city that people either love or hate, you can be overwhelmed by the fear that they’re going to have a rotten time, but everyone seemed to have a blast. Another reward.

You announced this so far ahead I imagine many of your guests made this their vacations.  If a person’s serious and self-important, LV could be a nightmare.  Jack and I really enjoy ourselves there because during the day, we go off in the desert and do photography and at night, we suspend belief and become children again.  It’s a contrast of the aesthetic and the vulgar, and I miss it. And then, there was all of the comments about my weight loss. Or not even so much about that specifically, just a lot of really nice compliments about how great I looked. My brother’s toast mentioned it, but he was framing it in terms of all of the self-confidence and self-esteem I’ve gained in the past year. To get any sort of compliment from him is, well, unusual, and so very special.

Neat!  You deserve the praise. Have a much better week, and you don’t need me to tell you that eating off-WOE won’t make the back feel any better. Yup. The scale finally creeped up this morning (deservedly), which is the final mental kick-in-the-pants I need. But I also feel much better today, much more rested. And I’m about to get on the bike again for another not- too-overtaxing-ride. I’ve got that new Des2K to get started on! (web page to come)

You were off to somewhere in the mid-west, weren’t you?  HAve a good time getting there! Cheers, Kay 232/147/<145 (lowcarb since 98/12/26) D2K Everest: 3445/11298 feet, Base Camp to Summit

Response:

Hello there Mrs B.  Good to see a post from you after a while, and glad the pregnancy’s still going OK.  Do let us know how you get on janice 23% of the way to goal – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You looked so happy in your wedding pictures, I’m glad it was all worth it. I’ve never had back pain, so I wouldn’t have been able to relate, except recently (it turns out this not uncommon) being 25 weeks into pregnancy, I’ve found that I am having serious sciatica pains myself.  The growing fetus tends to lay right across those lower back nerves, and it can cut off returning circulation too.  The pain that comes from the lower back, it is quite unbearable.  My hat is off to you, for continuing on your WOE and exercising all through the worst parts.  You inspire me!  Of course, losing weight has got to be helping your back problems, no?  I’ve gained 12 pounds in the last 6 months, which is fine according to the doctor’s charts, but not so nice when it seems just about all of it is centered around my growing belly.  My back has never felt worse, but exercise has been helping.  I can’t wait to see your updated website! Smiling Mrs. B Greetings, ASD– I’ve poked my head in a few times to check on how folks are doing (congrats to all the losers (especially to Kay and KC!)), but I still don’t really consider myself "back." The wedding was so wonderful, and I had worked so hard getting ready for it (not just in terms of weight loss), that the re- entry into real life has been pretty rough. I’m still exhausted, and there’s still so much to do! (photos, videos, thank you notes, etc. etc.) And there’s one little thing that happened in Las Vegas that has also had my body reeling. You may recall my continuing back troubles (ruptured disk) in February and March. By the two days before the wedding, I was having such terrible sciatica and muscle spasms in my left leg that I couldn’t walk more than two or three minutes without having to stop and rest. But on the day of the wedding, adrenalin kicked in, I felt fine, and I danced the night away. Late that night (we stayed out with friends after the reception until 5 am) it started acting up again. By Monday morning, I woke up in unbelievable pain, completely unable to walk. We had to get the hotel’s on-call doctor, who loaded me up with quite a cocktail of pain meds to get me through the week. I’m mostly pain-free now, and RX-free, too, and feel on the mend. But I’m so, so, so tired! (And I’ve been reminded all week how much I hate my job, but that I had been able to ignore it while getting ready for the wedding.) Needless to say, none of this makes getting back on the WOE wagon very easy. To make it even harder, I’ve been eating a lot of junk for two weeks, and yet I still weigh 179.5 (guess that metabolism is still revved up). But I rode the stationary bike this morning for the first time, and I always drink all my water, so I hope to slowly get back in the groove. I’ve set a new goal of getting to 164 by my birthday (Aug. 9), which is about a pound a week. So that’s where I am. A little shaky, but still basking in the glow of what was just a fabulous weekend. (We’ve had a lot of the attendees tell us that we have a future as wedding planners if we ever want it!) You know it must have been fantastic if all of the stuff with my back is just a footnote in my mind…. And the web page is coming soon, I promise. — –jd 239/179.5/159, then we’ll see   started 1/2/99 (calorie counting)

Response:

Hang in there Mrs. B.  Only 15 more weeks left.  Make sure you prop yourself up and get the pressure off your nerves.  My little one also cut off my circulation.  I know how terrible it can be when you readjust and suddenly the feeling returns.  Twelve pounds is great.  I gained approximately 20 in my final three weeks of pregnancy and it all came off within a week after-it was all that water I was retaining.  I only gained 31 total.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You looked so happy in your wedding pictures, I’m glad it was all worth it. I’ve never had back pain, so I wouldn’t have been able to relate, except recently (it turns out this not uncommon) being 25 weeks into pregnancy, I’ve found that I am having serious sciatica pains myself.  The growing fetus tends to lay right across those lower back nerves, and it can cut off returning circulation too.  The pain that comes from the lower back, it is quite unbearable.  My hat is off to you, for continuing on your WOE and exercising all through the worst parts.  You inspire me!  Of course, losing weight has got to be helping your back problems, no?  I’ve gained 12 pounds in the last 6 months, which is fine according to the doctor’s charts, but not so nice when it seems just about all of it is centered around my growing belly.  My back has never felt worse, but exercise has been helping.  I can’t wait to see your updated website! Smiling Mrs. B Greetings, ASD– I’ve poked my head in a few times to check on how folks are doing (congrats to all the losers (especially to Kay and KC!)), but I still don’t really consider myself "back." The wedding was so wonderful, and I had worked so hard getting ready for it (not just in terms of weight loss), that the re- entry into real life has been pretty rough. I’m still exhausted, and there’s still so much to do! (photos, videos, thank you notes, etc. etc.) And there’s one little thing that happened in Las Vegas that has also had my body reeling. You may recall my continuing back troubles (ruptured disk) in February and March. By the two days before the wedding, I was having such terrible sciatica and muscle spasms in my left leg that I couldn’t walk more than two or three minutes without having to stop and rest. But on the day of the wedding, adrenalin kicked in, I felt fine, and I danced the night away. Late that night (we stayed out with friends after the reception until 5 am) it started acting up again. By Monday morning, I woke up in unbelievable pain, completely unable to walk. We had to get the hotel’s on-call doctor, who loaded me up with quite a cocktail of pain meds to get me through the week. I’m mostly pain-free now, and RX-free, too, and feel on the mend. But I’m so, so, so tired! (And I’ve been reminded all week how much I hate my job, but that I had been able to ignore it while getting ready for the wedding.) Needless to say, none of this makes getting back on the WOE wagon very easy. To make it even harder, I’ve been eating a lot of junk for two weeks, and yet I still weigh 179.5 (guess that metabolism is still revved up). But I rode the stationary bike this morning for the first time, and I always drink all my water, so I hope to slowly get back in the groove. I’ve set a new goal of getting to 164 by my birthday (Aug. 9), which is about a pound a week. So that’s where I am. A little shaky, but still basking in the glow of what was just a fabulous weekend. (We’ve had a lot of the attendees tell us that we have a future as wedding planners if we ever want it!) You know it must have been fantastic if all of the stuff with my back is just a footnote in my mind…. And the web page is coming soon, I promise. — –jd 239/179.5/159, then we’ll see   started 1/2/99 (calorie counting)

Response:

My "little one" is now 44 and you made me look back to the day I screamed, "Where’s my epidural". We had some tough times during he teens, but I lived through it all to become the granny of four with no more deep breathing! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hang in there Mrs. B.  Only 15 more weeks left.  Make sure you prop yourself up and get the pressure off your nerves.  My little one also cut off my circulation.  I know how terrible it can be when you readjust and suddenly the feeling returns.  Twelve pounds is great.  I gained approximately 20 in my final three weeks of pregnancy and it all came off within a week after-it was all that water I was retaining.  I only gained 31 total. You looked so happy in your wedding pictures, I’m glad it was all worth it. I’ve never had back pain, so I wouldn’t have been able to relate, except recently (it turns out this not uncommon) being 25 weeks into pregnancy, I’ve found that I am having serious sciatica pains myself.  The growing fetus tends to lay right across those lower back nerves, and it can cut off returning circulation too.  The pain that comes from the lower back, it is quite unbearable.  My hat is off to you, for continuing on your WOE and exercising all through the worst parts.  You inspire me!  Of course, losing weight has got to be helping your back problems, no?  I’ve gained 12 pounds in the last 6 months, which is fine according to the doctor’s charts, but not so nice when it seems just about all of it is centered around my growing belly.  My back has never felt worse, but exercise has been helping.  I can’t wait to see your updated website! Smiling Mrs. B Greetings, ASD– I’ve poked my head in a few times to check on how folks are doing (congrats to all the losers (especially to Kay and KC!)), but I still don’t really consider myself "back." The wedding was so wonderful, and I had worked so hard getting ready for it (not just in terms of weight loss), that the re- entry into real life has been pretty rough. I’m still exhausted, and there’s still so much to do! (photos, videos, thank you notes, etc. etc.) And there’s one little thing that happened in Las Vegas that has also had my body reeling. You may recall my continuing back troubles (ruptured disk) in February and March. By the two days before the wedding, I was having such terrible sciatica and muscle spasms in my left leg that I couldn’t walk more than two or three minutes without having to stop and rest. But on the day of the wedding, adrenalin kicked in, I felt fine, and I danced the night away. Late that night (we stayed out with friends after the reception until 5 am) it started acting up again. By Monday morning, I woke up in unbelievable pain, completely unable to walk. We had to get the hotel’s on-call doctor, who loaded me up with quite a cocktail of pain meds to get me through the week. I’m mostly pain-free now, and RX-free, too, and feel on the mend. But I’m so, so, so tired! (And I’ve been reminded all week how much I hate my job, but that I had been able to ignore it while getting ready for the wedding.) Needless to say, none of this makes getting back on the WOE wagon very easy. To make it even harder, I’ve been eating a lot of junk for two weeks, and yet I still weigh 179.5 (guess that metabolism is still revved up). But I rode the stationary bike this morning for the first time, and I always drink all my water, so I hope to slowly get back in the groove. I’ve set a new goal of getting to 164 by my birthday (Aug. 9), which is about a pound a week. So that’s where I am. A little shaky, but still basking in the glow of what was just a fabulous weekend. (We’ve had a lot of the attendees tell us that we have a future as wedding planners if we ever want it!) You know it must have been fantastic if all of the stuff with my back is just a footnote in my mind…. And the web page is coming soon, I promise. — –jd 239/179.5/159, then we’ll see   started 1/2/99 (calorie counting)

– ****** Diva

Response:

Thanks Janice and Foggy – I’ve been trying to keep up with a few posts, get some recipes, inspiration to keep up the exercise, etc. so I’ve been stopping by every few days, mostly to read.  Everyone has pretty much promised me that if I "only" gain the 25 – 35 pounds that is recommended, it WILL all go away soon after pregnancy – "they" all agree, anything more than that is ME not baby, and will be harder to lose afterward.  That’s all good, but I’ve been trying to be very consistent with food choices and exercise, yet I’ve gone in a couple of times (I go to the doctor’s every 4 weeks) and there’s no change in my weight at all.  Other times, I’ve gained 4 pounds for no apparent reason.  What can you do?  Nothing, but it’s been harder lately.  With Spring in the air, I have the urge to get some new warm weather clothes, and ride the bike and start running again, none of which will happen this Spring or Summer.  It’s a bit frustrating, but I’m grateful for what I can do.  So, I’ll stick to my treadmill [it was you, right Foggy, who kick boxed into the 9th month??  You're a better woman than I ] and my "Best Odds Diet", concentrate on good "healthy baby" thoughts, and knock wood. Smiling Mrs. B – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hang in there Mrs. B.  Only 15 more weeks left.  Make sure you prop yourself up and get the pressure off your nerves.  My little one also cut off my circulation.  I know how terrible it can be when you readjust and suddenly the feeling returns.  Twelve pounds is great.  I gained approximately 20 in my final three weeks of pregnancy and it all came off within a week after-it was all that water I was retaining.  I only gained 31 total. You looked so happy in your wedding pictures, I’m glad it was all worth it. I’ve never had back pain, so I wouldn’t have been able to relate, except recently (it turns out this not uncommon) being 25 weeks into pregnancy, I’ve found that I am having serious sciatica pains myself.  The growing fetus tends to lay right across those lower back nerves, and it can cut off returning circulation too.  The pain that comes from the lower back, it is quite unbearable.  My hat is off to you, for continuing on your WOE and exercising all through the worst parts.  You inspire me!  Of course, losing weight has got to be helping your back problems, no?  I’ve gained 12 pounds in the last 6 months, which is fine according to the doctor’s charts, but not so nice when it seems just about all of it is centered around my growing belly.  My back has never felt worse, but exercise has been helping.  I can’t wait to see your updated website! Smiling Mrs. B Greetings, ASD– I’ve poked my head in a few times to check on how folks are doing (congrats to all the losers (especially to Kay and KC!)), but I still don’t really consider myself "back." The wedding was so wonderful, and I had worked so hard getting ready for it (not just in terms of weight loss), that the re- entry into real life has been pretty rough. I’m still exhausted, and there’s still so much to do! (photos, videos, thank you notes, etc. etc.) And there’s one little thing that happened in Las Vegas that has also had my body reeling. You may recall my continuing back troubles (ruptured disk) in February and March. By the two days before the wedding, I was having such terrible sciatica and muscle spasms in my left leg that I couldn’t walk more than two or three minutes without having to stop and rest. But on the day of the wedding, adrenalin kicked in, I felt fine, and I danced the night away. Late that night (we stayed out with friends after the reception until 5 am) it started acting up again. By Monday morning, I woke up in unbelievable pain, completely unable to walk. We had to get the hotel’s on-call doctor, who loaded me up with quite a cocktail of pain meds to get me through the week. I’m mostly pain-free now, and RX-free, too, and feel on the mend. But I’m so, so, so tired! (And I’ve been reminded all week how much I hate my job, but that I had been able to ignore it while getting ready for the wedding.) Needless to say, none of this makes getting back on the WOE wagon very easy. To make it even harder, I’ve been eating a lot of junk for two weeks, and yet I still weigh 179.5 (guess that metabolism is still revved up). But I rode the stationary bike this morning for the first time, and I always drink all my water, so I hope to slowly get back in the groove. I’ve set a new goal of getting to 164 by my birthday (Aug. 9), which is about a pound a week. So that’s where I am. A little shaky, but still basking in the glow of what was just a fabulous weekend. (We’ve had a lot of the attendees tell us that we have a future as wedding planners if we ever want it!) You know it must have been fantastic if all of the stuff with my back is just a footnote in my mind…. And the web page is coming soon, I promise. — –jd 239/179.5/159, then we’ll see   started 1/2/99 (calorie counting)

Response:

I did Taekwondo up until my ninth month, then I was on bed rest due to high blood pressure.  I can relate to the strange weight gain cycles.  I would have times that I would go in and lost two pounds and then be up six the following month.  You seem to be on about the same course I was though.  For exercise, go swimming, take a walk, stretch, and make sure you do your pregnancy exercises.  It really does help.  I think you will survive just fine.  If you need any support, my mailbox is open.  It’s tostenrude at yahoo.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks Janice and Foggy – I’ve been trying to keep up with a few posts, get some recipes, inspiration to keep up the exercise, etc. so I’ve been stopping by every few days, mostly to read.  Everyone has pretty much promised me that if I "only" gain the 25 – 35 pounds that is recommended, it WILL all go away soon after pregnancy – "they" all agree, anything more than that is ME not baby, and will be harder to lose afterward.  That’s all good, but I’ve been trying to be very consistent with food choices and exercise, yet I’ve gone in a couple of times (I go to the doctor’s every 4 weeks) and there’s no change in my weight at all.  Other times, I’ve gained 4 pounds for no apparent reason.  What can you do?  Nothing, but it’s been harder lately.  With Spring in the air, I have the urge to get some new warm weather clothes, and ride the bike and start running again, none of which will happen this Spring or Summer.  It’s a bit frustrating, but I’m grateful for what I can do.  So, I’ll stick to my treadmill [it was you, right Foggy, who kick boxed into the 9th month??  You're a better woman than I ] and my "Best Odds Diet", concentrate on good "healthy baby" thoughts, and knock wood. Smiling Mrs. B

Response:

yes, almost….just two short weeks….and i’m rid of this hideous spring semester (i really don’t like spring terms). the description of your wedding in your response to Kay sounds fabulous.  i wish i could have been there just from the description. Julie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – welcome back jd! glad you’re almost pain free too! Thanks, Julie, and I’ve been reading that you almost are, too? (meaning your term is almost over, LOL) — –jd 239/179.5/159, then we’ll see   started 1/2/99 (calorie counting)

Response:

Mrs. B., I missed your original post so I’m piggy-backing on Foggy.  :)  I am also recently post-preggy and where I live (Ontario, Canada) there is no "recommended" weight gain because everyone is so different.  You could be like me and gain lots of water, or really beef up in the thighs and butt (all the better to support the baby ).  So, I wouldn’t get hung up on how much you gain/don’t gain.  A lot of weight you gain could be water which whooshes off really fast.  What matters is that you eat right, eat well (you need more cals), and keep exercising.  Both of teddy bear’s grammas were neurotic about my exercising.  They thought once I got preggo I should be sick in bed for nine months.  There is no harm in walking, swimming, or exercise biking.   Your doctor or health unit can give you exercise advice. One myth is that once you have a baby you’re figure is shot.  My first baby left me with mild jelly belly, but I ended up weighing less than pre-pregnancy a couple of months after I had her.  This time it has been more difficult but I’m four pounds away from pre-pregnancy.  Don’t let anyone tell you you’ll never get it back! Congrats and good luck! — Dawna 184/169/165 mini-goal (pre-preggo) Long term 135

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Good to see you back, jd.  I’m looking forward to the updated site.   I’m glad to hear you’re almost pain-free now. Beverly – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Greetings, ASD– I’ve poked my head in a few times to check on how folks are doing (congrats to all the losers (especially to Kay and KC!)), but I still don’t really consider myself "back." The wedding was so wonderful, and I had worked so hard getting ready for it (not just in terms of weight loss), that the re- entry into real life has been pretty rough. I’m still exhausted, and there’s still so much to do! (photos, videos, thank you notes, etc. etc.) And there’s one little thing that happened in Las Vegas that has also had my body reeling. You may recall my continuing back troubles (ruptured disk) in February and March. By the two days before the wedding, I was having such terrible sciatica and muscle spasms in my left leg that I couldn’t walk more than two or three minutes without having to stop and rest. But on the day of the wedding, adrenalin kicked in, I felt fine, and I danced the night away. Late that night (we stayed out with friends after the reception until 5 am) it started acting up again. By Monday morning, I woke up in unbelievable pain, completely unable to walk. We had to get the hotel’s on-call doctor, who loaded me up with quite a cocktail of pain meds to get me through the week. I’m mostly pain-free now, and RX-free, too, and feel on the mend. But I’m so, so, so tired! (And I’ve been reminded all week how much I hate my job, but that I had been able to ignore it while getting ready for the wedding.) Needless to say, none of this makes getting back on the WOE wagon very easy. To make it even harder, I’ve been eating a lot of junk for two weeks, and yet I still weigh 179.5 (guess that metabolism is still revved up). But I rode the stationary bike this morning for the first time, and I always drink all my water, so I hope to slowly get back in the groove. I’ve set a new goal of getting to 164 by my birthday (Aug. 9), which is about a pound a week. So that’s where I am. A little shaky, but still basking in the glow of what was just a fabulous weekend. (We’ve had a lot of the attendees tell us that we have a future as wedding planners if we ever want it!) You know it must have been fantastic if all of the stuff with my back is just a footnote in my mind…. And the web page is coming soon, I promise. — –jd 239/179.5/159, then we’ll see   started 1/2/99 (calorie counting)

Response:

Here in Ontario, we seem to have big weight gains when pregnant.  i took up 50 extra pounds of Toronto space with my first. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Mrs. B., I missed your original post so I’m piggy-backing on Foggy.  :)  I am also recently post-preggy and where I live (Ontario, Canada) there is no "recommended" weight gain because everyone is so different.  You could be like me and gain lots of water, or really beef up in the thighs and butt (all the better to support the baby ).  So, I wouldn’t get hung up on how much you gain/don’t gain.  A lot of weight you gain could be water which whooshes off really fast.  What matters is that you eat right, eat well (you need more cals), and keep exercising.  Both of teddy bear’s grammas were neurotic about my exercising.  They thought once I got preggo I should be sick in bed for nine months.  There is no harm in walking, swimming, or exercise biking. Your doctor or health unit can give you exercise advice. One myth is that once you have a baby you’re figure is shot.  My first baby left me with mild jelly belly, but I ended up weighing less than pre-pregnancy a couple of months after I had her.  This time it has been more difficult but I’m four pounds away from pre-pregnancy.  Don’t let anyone tell you you’ll never get it back! Congrats and good luck! — Dawna 184/169/165 mini-goal (pre-preggo) Long term 135

– ****** Diva

Response:

You looked so happy in your wedding pictures, I’m glad it was all worth it. I’ve never had back pain, so I wouldn’t have been able to relate, except recently (it turns out this not uncommon) being 25 weeks into pregnancy, I’ve found that I am having serious sciatica pains myself. The growing fetus tends to lay right across those lower back nerves, and it can cut off returning circulation too.  The pain that comes from the lower back, it is quite unbearable.  My hat is off to you, for continuing on your WOE and exercising all through the worst parts.  You inspire me! Of course, losing weight has got to be helping your back problems, no? I’ve gained 12 pounds in the last 6 months, which is fine according to the doctor’s charts, but not so nice when it seems just about all of it is centered around my growing belly.  My back has never felt worse, but exercise has been helping.  I can’t wait to see your updated website!

Hey you! I’ve been thinking about you, hoping that things were going well with the baby. I’ve heard that sciatica can come with the pregnancy territory–yew, as if your body isn’t torturing you enough 8-). You sound like you’re doing really well, especially only gaining 12 lbs, though I would imagine that will accelerate over the final weeks? Hang in there! You’d THINK that losing weight would help with the back trouble, but it’s kind of ironic that the two times the disk has totally ruptured have been at the end of or during a large weight loss. I wonder if losing all that weight in the belly (which is where I carry my weight) without really really really really working to strengthen the ab muscles has something to do with it–all that gravity pulling the flab down without that hard, marbelized fat to keep everything in place! (nice thoughts for a Monday morning!) But I’m feeling better each day, so onward. — –jd 239/179.5/159, then we’ll see   started 1/2/99 (calorie counting) Des2K #2: 70/5198 miles……http://www.jdland.com/how-des2k.html

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Great to hear from you again jd.  Don’t overdo it on the leg.  How I sympathise with you on the return to real life!!  I’m not too keen on my job, and I always feel like death when I have to go back after a holiday – it must be ten times worse for you.   Never mind, the main thing is the wonderful years you have ahead of you with your DH.  Hang onto that, it’s worth a lot!

Hi janice! Yeah, those first days back to work from any vacation can be a real bear. Especially when you don’t live for your job (as I most definitely DON’T!). I hope you’re doing better with your WOL these days? (sorry, still not caught up on all the posts) With the weather getting warmer, and the flowers no doubt starting to bloom, hopefully you can get out on your walks with DH more often…. — –jd 239/179.5/159, then we’ll see   started 1/2/99 (calorie counting) Des2K #2: 70/5198 miles……http://www.jdland.com/how-des2k.html

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us with: I am so glad the wedding came off so well for you, JD! I can’t imagine planning such a thing, I’d not know where to start even! Anyway, you looked super in the pictures I saw, so that adrenalin must’ve been helpful <G! I’m glad you are on the mend, please do take care. Good to hear you are getting back on track. Can’t wait for the page!

Thanks, Cynthia! And congrats on getting below 200! (sorry, I’m still not caught up on my reading, so I haven’t yet seen any messages you’ve posted about this elsewhere). It is an amazingly weird thing about how different you can feel about one measley pound. I know it took a huge weight off my shoulders (no pun intended) to know that I wasn’t in the 200s anymore…. — –jd 239/179.5/159, then we’ll see   started 1/2/99 (calorie counting) Des2K #2: 70/5198 miles……http://www.jdland.com/how-des2k.html

Response:

Good to see you back, jd.  I’m looking forward to the updated site.   I’m glad to hear you’re almost pain-free now.

Thanks, Beverly! We’re working like crazy on the site, but it still may be a week or two. But it will be worth the wait, we hope! — –jd 239/179.5/159, then we’ll see   started 1/2/99 (calorie counting) Des2K #2: 70/5198 miles……http://www.jdland.com/how-des2k.html

Response:

jd – I mean Mrs. jd! – as much as I love to really contemplate hard, marbelized fat during my morning cup of oj , I wonder if there’s a more innocent explanation.  Maybe, for example, when you’ve had those intense weight loss periods, you are exercising much more, which (if done without proper form or too vigorously) can be hard on the lower back.  I have never seen you ride your stationary bike, so it’s just a stab in the dark, but I know that I used to get lower back pain when I was training for centuries (100 mile bike rides).  Now, this would mean that we were hunched over our bikes for 4 to 8 hours at a time, riding hills and flats, so it may not apply to you if you ride for shorter bursts.  Anyway, it seems that bike riding especially seems to have the affect of lower back pain on people. Hence, recumbent bikes.  They even have recumbent stationaries, if you have a chance to try one it might help.  Actually, the lower back thing is the whole reason I’m not riding this season.  It’s not because I’m so huge or unfit, it’s just that I don’t want to aggravate an already bad situation. According to the charts, an "acceptable" weight gain for my number of weeks of pregnancy is 12 to 16 pounds.  So, I’m right at the low end.  But you’re right, I’ve also heard that one can gain 10 to 20 pounds in just the last couple of months!  It’s one of the reasons I was so adamant about keeping my weight gain to a minimum during the first part of pregnancy, so that I could have a little "leeway" at the end to let my body prepare itself for the baby without getting too far overboard.  The truth is though, pregnancy is not the time to be militant about weight because you can’t really control what your body will do – what I have been militant about though is the part I CAN control, meaning what I eat and how much I am moving.  Good luck with your back and I’m glad it’s feeling better. Smiling Mrs. B – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey you! I’ve been thinking about you, hoping that things were going well with the baby. I’ve heard that sciatica can come with the pregnancy territory–yew, as if your body isn’t torturing you enough 8-). You sound like you’re doing really well, especially only gaining 12 lbs, though I would imagine that will accelerate over the final weeks? Hang in there! You’d THINK that losing weight would help with the back trouble, but it’s kind of ironic that the two times the disk has totally ruptured have been at the end of or during a large weight loss. I wonder if losing all that weight in the belly (which is where I carry my weight) without really really really really working to strengthen the ab muscles has something to do with it–all that gravity pulling the flab down without that hard, marbelized fat to keep everything in place! (nice thoughts for a Monday morning!) But I’m feeling better each day, so onward. — –jd 239/179.5/159, then we’ll see   started 1/2/99 (calorie counting) Des2K #2: 70/5198 miles……http://www.jdland.com/how-des2k.html

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Question:

Payroll bureau?  Computerised accounting packages bureau? Database design, setup and data entry, with associated queries (SQL) and custom reports – say MS-Access? Database setups of legal precedents; sports statistics; recipes;  look for interactive publishing houses that produce CDs and need large amounts of data captured in a searchable database… Good luck Yvette

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>Wanna work for me?!

Nikki, you are asking for *after* I get trained, right? Because I’m pretty useless to you right now……… — Tracey — In dog years…..I’d be dead.

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Thanks for all the ideas and suggestions. I’m *still* no closer to a decision, but at least now I have some things to start checking out. I would be *really* stupid if I don’t take advantage of DH’s friend’s offer. I was a little confused about what the offer really entailed (i.e., am I supposed to only think about things that are connected to his business with the understanding that I would be working for him eventually?) but it sounds like it’s a pretty open-ended offer. More along the lines of ‘What do you want to do? I’ll do *anything* that you need to get you going.’ I guess I should check out schools and classes and such and how long to get trained for the different choices. — Tracey — In dog years…..I’d be dead.

Response:

In article <3845070C.7F33B…@impactwp.com>, Nikki Murphy says… > Wanna work for me?! > N

Yeah, I’m up for it : ) Kevin — Always and never are two words you should always remember never to use.

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I used to work for an insurance company.  Actually, we were General Agents for an Insurance Company. We had a database program.  We had someone to run reports from the database (that would have been me).  The insurance company had someone that designed said database, programmed the reports, and told me why I couldn’t run the reports I wanted to run and how I shouldn’t have been able to run some of the reports I was running. That might could possibly be a walk in the park for you. Cindy

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I think you need to go for the whole computer thing!!  I wish desperately I could find something computer related to do at home so I could stay home with my baby!  I say go for it!!  (as for what SPECIFICALLY you should do….  good luck…) * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

I’ve got a programmer that works for me on a sub contract basis. I deal with him and I deal with the client. He gets protected from the people stuff and just does the real work. He does any interactive bits as part of a whole solution I do for a client’s web site. He frequently tells me what a customer wants is stupid! So I perform a balancing act between his programmer’s integrity (eh hum!!) and the client’s wants and needs. Sounds like you’d be good for that type of role – he does Perl and DB programming with web sites. Wanna work for me?! N – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Tracey wrote: > I know this is right on the heels of lil’s career questions, but, I’ve got to > do some thinking here. You see, a friend of DH is doing *really* well > with a computer consulting business. DH just talked to him again last > night and he reiterated that he’s ready, willing, able and really *wants* > to help me get going with something. But, here’s the kicker. I’ve got to > decide what I want to do. Aaaarrrrggghhhh!!!!!! I DON’T KNOW > WHAT I WANT TO DO!!!! I keep flirting with the idea of getting > back in the workforce (and, when things aren’t going so good with > DH and I, I realize that I have to do *something* ‘just in case’), but > I don’t have the foggiest what it is I should go for. I could and would > be perfectly happy working with ‘puters in some capacity, but what > capacity?? > Let me tell you a bit. I’m NOT a people person. Not at all. Not even > close. Don’t even *go* there. I’m very detail oriented (when it comes > to work. Not so much in my personal life.) My career in the military > was as an intelligence analyst, which means that I worked extensively > with large databases, maintaining them, updating them, and knowing > how to manipulate them to get the information I or others needed. I’m > not ’scared’ of computers or programming (I taught myself to write > small Unix programs/SQLs so I didn’t have to wait for the *real* geeks > to get around to it,)  but I’m usually aware enough of my limitations to > not really screw things up. > So, anybody out there have any suggestions? I was thinking about > webpage design, but I’m NOT a ‘The customer is always right’ sort > of person and would probably alienate a lot of people when I told > them that what they wanted was stupid <grin>. > — > Tracey > — > In dog years…..I’d be dead.

Response:

Tracey <rbranc…@mediaone.net> wrote in message

news:38445188.FDB16367@mediaone.net… > So, anybody out there have any suggestions? I was thinking about > webpage design, but I’m NOT a ‘The customer is always right’ sort > of person and would probably alienate a lot of people when I told > them that what they wanted was stupid <grin>.

I’d say you’re a programmer.  I used to be a programming student, but I couldn’t hack it (no pun intended). In programming, the customer is *never* right.  If they were, they would be programming.  So long as it does what it’s supposed to in the end, everything inside it is entirely yours. Programming means a lot of analysis.  A lot of seeing the final thing and figuring out how to get there.  It means a lot of alone time.  That was the hardest part for me. lil — Who is at fault when a monster is a monster?  Is it the monster?  Or the person who created it to be a monster?

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I think software design could be your thing. Especially front-end design. You don’t really have to see the customer, marketing people take care of that. But it’s a lot easier to design the interfaces that the customer sees than the nuts and bolts of the actual software, so it doesn’t take so long to learn. Anne – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Tracey wrote: > I know this is right on the heels of lil’s career questions, but, I’ve got to > do some thinking here. You see, a friend of DH is doing *really* well > with a computer consulting business. DH just talked to him again last > night and he reiterated that he’s ready, willing, able and really *wants* > to help me get going with something. But, here’s the kicker. I’ve got to > decide what I want to do. Aaaarrrrggghhhh!!!!!! I DON’T KNOW > WHAT I WANT TO DO!!!! I keep flirting with the idea of getting > back in the workforce (and, when things aren’t going so good with > DH and I, I realize that I have to do *something* ‘just in case’), but > I don’t have the foggiest what it is I should go for. I could and would > be perfectly happy working with ‘puters in some capacity, but what > capacity?? > Let me tell you a bit. I’m NOT a people person. Not at all. Not even > close. Don’t even *go* there. I’m very detail oriented (when it comes > to work. Not so much in my personal life.) My career in the military > was as an intelligence analyst, which means that I worked extensively > with large databases, maintaining them, updating them, and knowing > how to manipulate them to get the information I or others needed. I’m > not ’scared’ of computers or programming (I taught myself to write > small Unix programs/SQLs so I didn’t have to wait for the *real* geeks > to get around to it,)  but I’m usually aware enough of my limitations to > not really screw things up. > So, anybody out there have any suggestions? I was thinking about > webpage design, but I’m NOT a ‘The customer is always right’ sort > of person and would probably alienate a lot of people when I told > them that what they wanted was stupid <grin>. > — > Tracey > — > In dog years…..I’d be dead.

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I know this is right on the heels of lil’s career questions, but, I’ve got to do some thinking here. You see, a friend of DH is doing *really* well with a computer consulting business. DH just talked to him again last night and he reiterated that he’s ready, willing, able and really *wants* to help me get going with something. But, here’s the kicker. I’ve got to decide what I want to do. Aaaarrrrggghhhh!!!!!! I DON’T KNOW WHAT I WANT TO DO!!!! I keep flirting with the idea of getting back in the workforce (and, when things aren’t going so good with DH and I, I realize that I have to do *something* ‘just in case’), but I don’t have the foggiest what it is I should go for. I could and would be perfectly happy working with ‘puters in some capacity, but what capacity?? Let me tell you a bit. I’m NOT a people person. Not at all. Not even close. Don’t even *go* there. I’m very detail oriented (when it comes to work. Not so much in my personal life.) My career in the military was as an intelligence analyst, which means that I worked extensively with large databases, maintaining them, updating them, and knowing how to manipulate them to get the information I or others needed. I’m not ’scared’ of computers or programming (I taught myself to write small Unix programs/SQLs so I didn’t have to wait for the *real* geeks to get around to it,)  but I’m usually aware enough of my limitations to not really screw things up. So, anybody out there have any suggestions? I was thinking about webpage design, but I’m NOT a ‘The customer is always right’ sort of person and would probably alienate a lot of people when I told them that what they wanted was stupid <grin>. — Tracey — In dog years…..I’d be dead.

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Question:

   Isn’t 60 Minutes the topic of some new movie about big tobacco, as well? MZ

Response:

Om October 24th 60 Minutes exposed Medi-Cal Corruption in a documentary entitled KNEE DEEP IN FRAUD CALIFORNIA MEDI-CAL. This epsisode concentrated mainly on the findings of the FBI and State Controllers Office that have documented losses due to fraud and incompetance. I worked as an Associate Governmental Program Analyst for Department of Health Services auditing disputed Accounts Receivable for the Medi-Cal Drug Rebate Program from February 14, 1994 to April 15, 1997. Before that I was the lead Internal Auditor for the California Integrated Waste Management Board which I left because of frequent overnight travel. Before that I was a Tax Auditor II for Franchise Tax Board. an internal auditor for FTB, an internal auditor and accounting officer for the Department of Parks and Recreation and a Property Auditor-Appraiser for the State Board of Equalization. Before that I held various accounting and auditing positions in both government and private industry. When I was hired at DHS there was a 4 year backlog of disputed A/Rs with over 300 pharmaceutical manufacturers. I soon found that the Section Chief Mike Neff had no interest in resolving these disputes or in providing me the necessary tools. In June 1995 I found out that the Bureau of State Audits was coming due to a letter from Glaxo’s Chief Council that alleged favoratism (kickbacks) and incompetance in the drug rebate program. I immediately contacted the hotline of the Bureau of State Audits and spilled my guts to them of which I have written proof. Both the State Controller and the Bureau of State Audits did a 6 month audit of this corrupt program. Kathleen Connell PhD. the State Controller held a press conference at the State Capitol in March 1996 announcing that $230,000,000 was lost due to incompetance and fraud. Kim Belshe, Pete Wilson’s Director of Health Services denounced the audit findings. Kim Belshe rewarded Mike Neff the creep in charge of the Medi-Cal Drug Rebate Program a promotion to Deputy Director, Calif. Dept. of Health Services after he made the newspapers and TV for losing $230,000,000 through incompetance. The Drug Rebate Program has been used as an extortion device against pharmaceutical manufacturers to pay kickbacks to bureaucrats. My reward was continous harassment at work which got so bad that I resigned from state service on April 15, 1997. I lost my condo, went through bankruptcy and was bad mouthed in trying to transfer to another position. Since then I have become a permanent temporary working in computer and accounting positions with no benefits. There are many Department of Health Services employees who became victims of the Kim Belshe and John Rodriquez reign of terror. The following were either fired or forced to resign from state employment: Anna Maria Ortega – Analyst – Managed Care Milt Kusinart – Pharmacist – Drug Rebate Program Howard Coblentz – Analyst (Juris Doctor) – Medi-Cal Benefits Frank Leon – Career Executive – Audits and Investigations Sheldon Farrell – Manager – Audits and Investigations JOE MUNSO IS THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES WILSON ADMINISTRATION BUMS: LET’S FIRE THEM! GET RID OF CEA TRASH LIKE RODRIQUEZ, MUNSO, KESSLER AND NEFF WRITE DAVIS AND THE LEGISLATURE TO FLUSH THE SEWERS OF DHS.                 HERE ARE THE PERPETRATORS:                 STARRING FROM THE CAST OF                 CA HEALTH &WELFARE AGENCY 1.      JOHNNY (THE STUD) RODRIGUEZ 2.      JOEY (RATSO) MUNSO 3.      MIKE (STICKY FINGERS) NEFF 4.      STEVE (BABY KILLER) KESSLER (I AM PRO-CHOICE, I AM JUST REVEALING HYPOCRISCY) 5.      DARRYLL (THE GREAT WHITE STUD)NIXON 6.      BEN THOMAS WAS MIKE NEFF’S BOSS GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS GET BLOW JOBS FROM SECRETARIES WHILE BEING PAID BY CALIFORNIA TAXPAYERS We have heard all about Monicagate over and over again from the national press. However the press in California has been strangely silent about the peccadilloes of some of Governor Pete Wilson’s top aides in the California Health and Welfare Agency Three secretaries who worked for the California Department of Health Services were subjected to a gross violation of their human rights.(One of these women was pregnant and encouraged to get an abortion by DHS management)(Steve Kessler).  The women were Sue Ann Gage, Rochelle Strasser, and Karen D. Gilson who were harassed over a three period, they threatened with termination of employment and given negative references when they tried to escape this hostile environment.  I have read the court documents concerning this case and this was not a simple case of boss having an affair with his secretary, these women where passed around among Department of Health Services management for the purposes of providing sexual favors that coerced out of them. The major offenders were John Rodriguez who was Chief Deputy Director of the Department of Health Services and Joe Munso who was Deputy Director of Administration for the Department of Health Services. Joe Munso had one former secretary give him blow jobs while he stood with his back to the door so nobody would walk in on them. The three women sued these creeps in Sacramento Superior Court No. 96-Aso 1521, November 8, 1996, Department 53. I have the court documents which are public record. Kim Belshe, Director of the Department of Health Services did everything in here power to cover this up. The victims were paid hush money complements of the taxpayers of the State of California. Jan Howard who helped preside over $230,000,000 lost Medi-Cal funds was promoted to Section Chief through Johnny The Stud’s help she knew how to use her head, but not for thinking. Mike Neff, Section Chief and Jan Howard’s boss was promoted to Deputy Director after the State Controller’s Office audit findings were publicized on TV and the Sacramento Bee. Daryll Nixon former Chief of the Benefits Division specialized in sexually harassing Black Women caused DHS to have to pay damages for sexual harassment and racial discrimination is now a manager for the the Department of Health and Human Services. John Rodriguez was given a new position as Deputy Director, Hospitals, of the Department of Mental Health. Joe Munso was promoted to Chief Deputy Director of Health Services. We all know how vulnerable mental patients are from sexual predators, please join me in protesting this appointment by writing to Governor Davis and the State Legislature. Assemblyman Darrell S. Steinberg, 9th District Governor Gray Davis State Capitol Building Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone (916) 445-2841 FAX (916) 445-4633 Pass Around, Forward to Friends JOHN G. BESSLER (916)422-6725

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Question:

In the Pacific Northwest it’s gore-tex or you’re all wet.

Ultrex does work well as an alternative to gore-tex, though I never allowed myself to trust it alone. I always use a tarp over the bivy for foul weather. Griz

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Thomas,   I have the OR Bivy (two poles) and have used it in heavy rain storms day after day——I always stayed dry and comfortable, even when water puddled on the surface.      Bill – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am planning on buying a Gore-tex bivy bag for sleeping out during spring, summer and autumn. I wonder if the Gore-tex is waterproof enough too keep you dry for days and weeks during heavy rainfall. Does anyone have experience with this? Thomas

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The waterproofness of Gore-Tex bivvies depends on the bivy. My brother’s REI model got him quite wet recently in a light but sustained rain, and then again in a short, moderate rain. Sad to say, but I think that the waterproofness of just about anything falls under the "it depends" category: the brand, model, and exact design of the item under consideration, it’s age, whether the person making it had a hangover that day, whether it was made from a "good" batch of Gore-Tex, whether the seam-sealing machine had been serviced recently, whether you got yours before or after the cost-slashing accountants got to the design and mandated changes ("improvements"), phases of the moon, etc. John

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The waterproofness of Gore-Tex bivvies depends on the bivy. My brother’s REI model got him quite wet recently in a light but sustained rain, and then again in a short, moderate rain.

"Waterproofness" also depends on the understanding of the user. I’ve found that many times the user’s diagnosis of a leak turned out to be false, and that the true source of the the water was condensation. In my experience people usually underestimate the waterproofness of breathable fabrics and overestimate the breathability. YMMV, of course. — Remove "spamnot" to email me. Rob Gendreau Oakland, California

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But, I understand that Gore-Tex bivies are too moisture resistant.  Rather, the proper moisture balance can be obtained with a Dry-Loft bivy..

Dry loft is not water proof. Mist or dew yes. Water proof NO Justin Serpico Jr. Microbiology/Animal Science "Mother nature did a good job on this planet…and photography helps me appreciate it."  Justin Serpico

Response:

In the Pacific Northwest it’s gore-tex or you’re all wet.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – But, I understand that Gore-Tex bivies are too moisture resistant. Rather, the proper moisture balance can be obtained with a Dry-Loft bivy.. Dry loft is not water proof. Mist or dew yes. Water proof NO Justin Serpico Jr. Microbiology/Animal Science "Mother nature did a good job on this planet…and photography helps me appreciate it."  Justin Serpico

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I am planning on buying a Gore-tex bivy bag for sleeping out during spring, summer and autumn. I wonder if the Gore-tex is waterproof enough too keep you dry for days and weeks during heavy rainfall. Does anyone have experience with this? Thomas

Take a lightweight tarp also and you should be fine. Some netting on the bivy is necessary, the bugs might chew you up. Griz

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I only own a coated nylon North Face bivy and use it only in emergencies… But, I understand that Gore-Tex bivies are too moisture resistant.  Rather, the proper moisture balance can be obtained with a Dry-Loft bivy.. Perhaps others can confirm this. Also, some kind of pole system is useful to lift the mid section of the bivy.  Most bivies come with a small hoop system. I’ve adapted my bivy to use the rear pole from my Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight… yoyodog ——-

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am planning on buying a Gore-tex bivy bag for sleeping out during spring, summer and autumn. I wonder if the Gore-tex is waterproof enough too keep you dry for days and weeks during heavy rainfall. Does anyone have experience with this? Thomas Take a lightweight tarp also and you should be fine. Some netting on the bivy is necessary, the bugs might chew you up. Griz

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I am planning on buying a Gore-tex bivy bag for sleeping out during spring, summer and autumn. I wonder if the Gore-tex is waterproof enough too keep you dry for days and weeks during heavy rainfall. Does anyone have experience with this? Thomas

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The enemy (Mr. Moisture) is from within.  There is no question that Goretex is waterproof.  However, it or any other fabric like it, cannot vent out the pint+ of moisture that comes out of the pores of the average human while they sleep.  As days go by, sleeping bags tend to become damp to wet.  This is especially true when the evaporation rate is slow  (i.e., when the humidity is high or it is raining). Vententilation at both ends is necessary for long term moisture management. Not to put down bivy sacks and bivy tents — They are light weight, easy to set up and add substantial warmth.  I use a bivy tent for solo backpacking on trips where reducing weight is a prority.  Best used with a synthetic bag. My two cents, David — *  Above The Trees Wilderness Page *  www.mindspring.com/~treeline – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am planning on buying a Gore-tex bivy bag for sleeping out during spring, summer and autumn. I wonder if the Gore-tex is waterproof enough too keep you dry for days and weeks during heavy rainfall. Does anyone have experience with this? Thomas

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Question:

Which is better?  What’s the difference?

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I bought a Meguiars set of 3 different compounds. A cleaner, a polish, and a wax. The results were better then any other wax I’ve tried. (autofom, etc) But it was lengthy… took me 3 hours to do my Ranger . -Robb – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Which is better?  What’s the difference?

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I bought a Meguiars set of 3 different compounds. A cleaner, a polish, and a wax. The results were better then any other wax I’ve tried. (autofom, etc) But it was lengthy… took me 3 hours to do my Ranger . -Robb

Robb, Sounds like an orbital buffer at ~$40 would return investment after 2 or 3 polish and wax jobs.  I got a slightly larger Sears 9-inch vesion for $60. These are great time savers and the results are very satisfying. -Ken ‘99 Chrome yellow Mustang GT K&N Filter and no air silencer

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I bought a Meguiars set of 3 different compounds. A cleaner, a polish, and a wax.

I’m also using the Meguiars polish and Step 3 wax.  I didn’t see any "Gold class".  I think "gold class" is new and replaces the wax that I bought. Hopefully it’s practically the same thing.  At any rate, I think it produces a nice wet look, but it remains to be seen how well it protects. -Ken ‘99 Chrome yellow Mustang GT K&N Filter and no air silencer

Response:

Which is better?  What’s the difference?

I used to use both with mediocre results.  Recently went with some stuff that a friend of a friend sold me on, and I’m ecstatic with the results.  (She’s a professional detailer.) Wash: Most car-wash detergents work just fine.  (I use Meguire’s clear-coat wash mix – slightly agressive, doesn’t bother the wax coat, or Meguire’s pink wash gel – less agressive than the other, works better on enamel finishes.) Cleaning: Depends on condition.  2X year, I use 3-M Imperial Hand Glaze to smooth and clean the surface down to a mirror-like shine.  Monthly, I hit it with a little Meguires #9 swirl remover (techically, a chemical cleaner (polish) in an emollient base) to remove stubborn contaminants that washing doesn’t seem to remove, and add oils back into the paint, leaving a very nice shine. Waxing: Bi-monthly, I use One Grand Blitz wax – unbelievable stuff. Easy to apply and buff out, lasts a long time, and doesn’t get "sticky" like most Meguire’s waxes do.  Leaves a shine you wouldn’t believe. This stuff goes on/off so easily, I can do the entire car in 30 mins without breaking a sweat.  (wish I could find this stuff locally!) Zymol products smell nice, look great and cost a bundle, but the shine doesn’t last very long. The tan-bottles that Meguire’s makes ("professional" line) is good stuff.  I stick with hand-applied compounds; #2 fine and #1 med. cut cleaner is excellent for removing scratches, followed by their #7 glaze to smooth and mirror it out, then a nice coat of wax for protection. Don’t fool with the #4 heavy cut cleaner, unless you know what you’re doing.  (like saving for a new paint job) The "deep crystal" stuff is average; the deep crystal polish is very good for hiding swirls using fillers, but like their "hi-tech yellow wax", it is difficult to apply, and truly a frustrating experience trying to buff it out after it hazes.  Same goes for the hi-tech yellow wax in the tin…tough to work with, and doesn’t shine well when finished. Thier "medallion" line in the black bottles is average as well, using a lot of synthetic componants (polymers) rather than natural materials, that don’t work well at all on some finishes, usually leaving them milky or hazy, esp. on german cars.   All "clean and wax" types of products aren’t worth bothering with. More info: http://www.carcareonline.com — Kindly keep it Country, JD & Mona

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I just purchased the first 2 parts of the Meguiar’s 3 step but I used a different wax and I was extremely impressed. The hood on my Suzuki was ugly…. It was pink(supposed to be red) and the where water marks everywhere from the windshield sprayers.  The cleaner itself did an amazing job.  Then the polish really cleaned it up.  I think I am going to get a different wax though, maybe the 3 step.  The stuff I used wasn’t the greatest. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Which is better?  What’s the difference?

Response:

Which is better?  What’s the difference?

I used to be a Meguiar’s 3-step man until I tried the Boyd’s 2-step. The Boyd’s is more expensive, but it really brings the color out. It’s Boyd’s for me from now on. Bob

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I used to be a Meguiar’s 3-step man until I tried the Boyd’s 2-step. The Boyd’s is more expensive, but it really brings the color out. It’s Boyd’s for me from now on.

Can you buy the Boyd’s from the local auto parts store? *Edward Kim                                            *   *Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta Georgia 30332* *’97 SVT Cobra (#1714 of 6961)                         *

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I used to be a Meguiar’s 3-step man until I tried the Boyd’s 2-step. The Boyd’s is more expensive, but it really brings the color out. It’s Boyd’s for me from now on. Can you buy the Boyd’s from the local auto parts store? *Edward Kim                                            * *Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta Georgia 30332* *’97 SVT Cobra (#1714 of 6961)                         *

Got mine at Autozone. Bob

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<snip The "deep crystal" stuff is average; the deep crystal polish is very good for hiding swirls using fillers, but like their "hi-tech yellow wax", it is difficult to apply, and truly a frustrating experience trying to buff it out after it hazes.  Same goes for the hi-tech yellow wax in the tin…tough to work with, and doesn’t shine well when finished.

<snip I got their regular line (maroon bottles) … steps 1-3.  Step 1 was a pain in the ass but it looked pretty good after i had taken it all off.  Step 2 was GREAT.  Step 3, the wax… was the most frustrating thing i have ever done in my LIFE.  I was working on my car in the evening (about 6 or so) and it was rather cool out.  I put the wax on and even after an hour the stuff didn’t haze as nice as the other stuff I used to use.  Then I decided that I couldn’t wait any longer and I had to get this crap off.  2 hours later (all hand) I had the car buffed off.  The buffing was HORRIBLE.  The stuff just kinda ’stuck’ to the car, i guess it hadn’t dried enough and it was just nasty.  It didn’t just wipe off like the other stuff I’ve used, it just kinda smeared everywhere until I could smear all the crap off. Unless someone can tell me that I need to wax this thing in the middle of the day with the sun way up and maybe even baking the stuff, I’m going to deep six this wax and go to another brand.  I like steps 1 and 2, but the wax is horrible.  The finish wasn’t even as smooth as the cheaper no-name stuff I’ve used before.

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The maroon bottles (deep crystal line) aren’t particularly good.  The paint cleaner (step 1) is so-so; it uses chemicals to remove some contaminants, no abrasives.  The polish (step 2) has no abrasives either, just fillers in an emollient matrix.  This stuff adds oils and fills in swirl marks/light scratches fairly well; the wax (step 3) just plain sucks.  It’s difficult to apply, uses mostly banana oil instead of Carnuaba, and is damn near impossible to buff out well.  The result looks so-so at best, and on some finishes, it looks cloudy.   Waxing it in the sun won’t help much, I’m afraid.  The entire line is fine for a Yugo or something, but not my car.  On top of all that, the wax only lasted about as long as it took to apply.  Bah.  The "Medallion" line isn’t much better. Stumbled across http://www.carcareonline.com/ one day, and found the light!  This guy KNOWS what he’s talking about.  He recommended the following for my ‘98 GT: * 2X year: 3M Imperial Hand Glaze (Meguier’s #7 is pretty close) * When needed, a good polish (P21S gloss enhancing paintwork cleanser or Meguier’s #9) * Monthly: pure wax – One Grand Blitz Wax is outstanding * Weekly: wash with favorite car wash soap If you like quickie cleaner-wax products, Sonax Polish & Wax is the best kept secret. The glaze smooths out the finish immensely, and shines it like a very fine metal polish.  The polish then adds oils and fills in fine scratches and swirls, adding gloss.  The wax protects it all.  My car looks better than new after going over it with this stuff. If you can get your hands on a 16 or 24 oz. can of Blitz Wax, you won’t believe how good it is.  Goes on easy, buffs off even easier, and leaves a hard wax shine that lasts a very long time.  Doesn’t get sticky, or attract dust.  I love this stuff; best carnuaba wax I’ve used in the past 30 years. Kindly keep it Country, JD & Mona

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        I just tried the High Tech Yellow wax and it was a nightmare to use.  I put the car in direct sun because it wasn’t hazing over.  The stuff still didn’t haze over, nothing but smears, and about 3 hours of wasted time. — Rick Slade 98 Cobra #3054 Bright Atlantic Blue/Black

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I just tried the High Tech Yellow wax and it was a nightmare to use.  I put the car in direct sun because it wasn’t hazing over.  The stuff still didn’t haze over, nothing but smears, and about 3 hours of wasted time.

For best results, always wax the car when the surfaces are cool, and never,ever do it in sunlight… Bob

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Step 1 was a pain in the ass but it looked pretty good after i had taken it all off.  Step 2 was GREAT.  Step 3, the wax… was the most frustrating thing i have ever done in my LIFE.

Last weekend I used Meguiar’s  step 1 & 2 and finished with a coat of Mothers carnuba…. very pleased with the results.   Easy on and off. Pep boys was out of step 3, so I went with the Mothers…. =Bill=

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I did wax the car in the shade, it was about 60 degrees out side.  I waxed the whole car and the first fender panel was not dry.  When I did put the car in the sun, the wax still didn’t dry.  I vacuumed the car out the next day after it sat in the garage over night and the wax still appeared smeary.  I’ve never used a wax that was this hard to use. — Rick Slade 98 Cobra #3054 Bright Atlantic Blue/Black

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I did wax the car in the shade, it was about 60 degrees out side.  I waxed the whole car and the first fender panel was not dry.  When I did put the car in the sun, the wax still didn’t dry.  I vacuumed the car out the next day after it sat in the garage over night and the wax still appeared smeary.  I’ve never used a wax that was this hard to use. — Rick Slade 98 Cobra #3054 Bright Atlantic Blue/Black

Perhaps your using too much wax.  I’ve used the stuff and it goes on, dries, and comes off pretty easily.  I notice that I’m turning more heads since I used it, if that’s any indication.  I’m not going to endorse it until I’ve tried other stuff, which is a whole can of wax away. -Ken ‘99 Chrome yellow Mustang GT K&N Filter and no air silencer

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I did wax the car in the shade, it was about 60 degrees out side.  I waxed the whole car and the first fender panel was not dry.  When I did put the car in the sun, the wax still didn’t dry.  I vacuumed the car out the next day after it sat in the garage over night and the wax still appeared smeary.  I’ve never used a wax that was this hard to use. — Rick Slade 98 Cobra #3054 Bright Atlantic Blue/Black Perhaps your using too much wax.  I’ve used the stuff and it goes on, dries, and comes off pretty easily.  I notice that I’m turning more heads since I used it, if that’s any indication.  I’m not going to endorse it until I’ve tried other stuff, which is a whole can of wax away. -Ken ‘99 Chrome yellow Mustang GT K&N Filter and no air silencer

High humidity will also make it difficult to use some waxes. The trick is you want the wax to harden. Moisture and heat work against that process. Bob

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I did wax the car in the shade, it was about 60 degrees out side.  I waxed the whole car and the first fender panel was not dry.  When I did put the car in the sun, the wax still didn’t dry.  I vacuumed the car out the next day after it sat in the garage over night and the wax still appeared smeary.  I’ve never used a wax that was this hard to use

Maybe you got a bad batch or something…. I use Meguiar’s with no problems.  I also live about 1/10 mile from the Gulf of Mexico….. It is quite humid here. George L . ‘88 GT convertible, 5 Sp., 100% stock   ‘97 F-150 Exended Cab 5.4L   To send Email, remove SPAMBUG from My address

Response:

   I just tried the High Tech Yellow wax and it was a nightmare to use.  I put the car in direct sun because it wasn’t hazing over.  The stuff still didn’t haze over, nothing but smears, and about 3 hours of wasted time. — Rick Slade 98 Cobra #3054 Bright Atlantic Blue/Black

Response:

when you stuff wears of try this! toughguard.www.toughguard.com I bought a Meguiars set of 3 different compounds. A cleaner, a polish, and a wax. I’m also using the Meguiars polish and Step 3 wax.  I didn’t see any "Gold class".  I think "gold class" is new and replaces the wax that I bought. Hopefully it’s practically the same thing.  At any rate, I think it produces a nice wet look, but it remains to be seen how well it protects. -Ken ‘99 Chrome yellow Mustang GT K&N Filter and no air silencer

Response:

try toughguard nexst time at www.toughguard.com   Great stuff! Step 1 was a pain in the ass but it looked pretty good after i had taken it all off.  Step 2 was GREAT.  Step 3, the wax… was the most frustrating thing i have ever done in my LIFE. Last weekend I used Meguiar’s  step 1 & 2 and finished with a coat of Mothers carnuba…. very pleased with the results.   Easy on and off. Pep boys was out of step 3, so I went with the Mothers…. =Bill=

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Only for a little while longer, I’m told.  Seems the accountants at Boyds ran off with the money and put him out of business.  Word is Boyds’ gonna come back again with his custom wheels only. Take it for what it’s worth–came from an Autozone counter guy. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I used to be a Meguiar’s 3-step man until I tried the Boyd’s 2-step. The Boyd’s is more expensive, but it really brings the color out. It’s Boyd’s for me from now on. Can you buy the Boyd’s from the local auto parts store? *Edward Kim                                            * *Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta Georgia 30332* *’97 SVT Cobra (#1714 of 6961)                         * Got mine at Autozone. Bob

Response:

Question:

My company does its own accounting on QuickBooks. We are gearing up to switch from ADP to our own payroll, and many of our employees have direct deposit. Quickbooks cannot be configured to do this. If anybody can suggest a standalone application (or even an inexpensive package) that includes the ability to do direct deposit or make other ACH transactions, I would very much appreciate it. Thanks!

Response:

My company does its own accounting on QuickBooks. We are gearing up to switch from ADP to our own payroll, and many of our employees have direct deposit. Quickbooks cannot be configured to do this. If anybody can suggest a standalone application (or even an inexpensive package) that includes the ability to do direct deposit or make other ACH transactions, I would very much appreciate it. Thanks!

There’s a fairly expensive package by SBT(www.SBT.COM) who’s payroll module I believe can do direct deposits.

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 I’m not an ADP sales rep, but one was in my office last week, and apparently they have a standalone package for accountants that allows this. Ask your rep before you burn any bridges…

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