Brenda's V2 journal

[itsjoyful]

o.k. here it goes, today is day 1, so regular lc. i weighed and did measurements which i will try not to do again until this whole thing is over. here they are:
weight.......135 (up, but did pig out yesterday)
height........64"
l arm..........11 1/2
r arm..........11 1/2
chest..........33 3/4
bust...........35
waist.........29
abdomen...32
hips...........38
l thigh........22 1/2
r thigh.......23
l/r calf........14 1/2 each.
need to figure out what my reasonable goals will be from this project. i know one is to eliminate artificial sweeteners. till later,
brenda

[itsjoyful]

regular lc day...

source grams cals %total
Total: 1684
Fat: 111 61%
Carbs: 45 8%
Fiber: 11 0%
Protein: 123 30%


1oz almonds
2 egg omelet w/ 2 oz. havarti made in 1 tbl. butter
1 coffee w/ cream
2 serv. curry chicken
2 cups cauliflower
2 oz london broil
1 cup carbolite frozen yogurt
2 tbl. Karen's chocolate truffle
Totals 1684 111 45 123

ready for stillman..
brenda

[itsjoyful]

Calories Eaten Today
source grams cals %total
Total: 760
Fat: 19 23%
Carbs: 2 1%
Fiber: 0 0%
Protein: 135 76%



Coffee, 8 oz. no cream, w/ stevia
Egg, white only, cooked 2
Chicken, breast,broiled, skin not eaten 7 oz. dry
Finfish, halibut 8 oz
Steak, london broil 2.5 oz.

went to whole foods market looking for dry curd, but no luck. did get some natural, no additives bacon.
what a boring eating day. really craved some cream for my coffee, but didn't do it. not having sweets at night is quite a challenge for me, but i think this might break my habit. no workout, me think not enough calories to sustain a workout. will run today, and weights tomorrow!
till then
brenda

[itsjoyful]

i have a headache and also am a slow starter. here goes:

Week : Week 1
Day : Day 3
Date, Day of Week : Nov 25th, Sunday
Today’s Program : Calorie Boost

Activity (optional): i ran for 20 min. on the treadmill doing short sprint intervals. not too much energy today. abs are sore from strength training on Friday

Thoughts (optional): i could not be doing this with out you guys!! thanks again.
ate:

1 Bacon slice, cooked
3 Egg, white only
1 cup Spinach, cooked, from fresh, fat not added in cooking
4 cupsLettuce, cos or romaine,
2 cups ground beef, extra lean, cookedm w. taco seasoning
2 cups Broccoli, cooked, from fresh,
1 tbls. Olive oil
4 oz. Chicken, breast, without bone, broiled, no skin
Totals 1177 63 35 124

Calories Eaten Today
source grams cals %total
Total: 1177
Fat: 63 51%
Carbs: 35 5%
Fiber: 21 0%
Protein: 124 44%

[Ruth]

I'm the latest member of the Tuff Luv Tag-team (see my project journal for some insight)

The easiest way to increase cal count on Cal boost days is with fat intake, so I'm wondering why the egg whites only (no yolk?) and the lean meats? Stillman days = low fat protein but we get to swing to the other end of the spectrum on Cal boost days. After the last group study project, Doreen identified that she was eating lean proteins on Cal Boost days, which is a mistake 'cause you (global you includes all of us) can get bored with lean proteins and no fat.

At a minimum, your cal boost day should be 1330 cals (10x133) and today it was 8.84. The risk in undereating is that your body might go into 'starvation mode' and cal boost at minimum cal intake of 10 x current weight is designed to prevent this. Butter on those veggies will probably do it.

HTH,

[itsjoyful]

11/26
week 1
day 4
November 26, stillman

who is this stillman guy, and why do i have to eat this cr__!
seriously though, i can not wait till tomorrow when i can eat some veggies! i'm clarifying some butter tonight so i can have that with my green beans, broccoli, and spinach! (see, i'm planning).


Calories Eaten Today
Total: 790
Fat: 16 19%
Carbs: 4 2%
Fiber: 0 0 0%
Protein: 145 78%


3 oz.Chicken, drumstick, without bone, roasted, skin not eaten
8 oz. Chicken, breast, with , roasted, skin not eaten
8 oz. BETTER'N EGGS
6 oz. halibut, cooked, dry heat
and one sf green apple jello (delish)


activities: a full day of costco, school, orthodontist, grocery store, walmart, and starting to decorate for christmas.
did regular strength training workout, will post in exercise forum.

thoughts: i'm dreaming of a DAIRY regular lc day. no need to worry about low caloric intake on stillman days, i'll make up for it. i even bought some nuts!!(ouch) they are staring me in the face, and i am stronger than them!
stillman is tough, but i am getting the hang of it. bf thinks i'm a bit nuts, and in his defence, i am. memory is definitely lagging the past few days.
till tomorrow!
brenda

[Natrushka]

Stillman aint easy, Brenda, but fat fast is worse. Trust me; you don't wanna go there.

nat - thanks for the update, do you think your weight loss would be more/less different had you not changed midway? now that you are adding biotin... how many pills are you poppin' a day?

Figured I'd answer here, you're definitely going to see this way.

I'm not sure what would have happened had I continued on the way I was going. I do know that with the new facts and information I'd found that continuing on the way I had wasn't likely; I was doing way too much aerobic work and not enough weight training. A change was inevitable.

As for the pills.... Too damned many! I think I'm up to 13 pills in the a.m. and a few spaced out with meals. Hate taking the niacin the most, I can only find 100g pills and I need 500g and they're not capusles, they're like asprins so they get stuck in your throat. Thought about hiding them in some butter this morning and swallowing that way. Meow.

Nat

[IslandGirl]

13y.o. puppy :D

Just don't do it on NO-dairy days :lol:

[itsjoyful]

the butter thing, i was told that clarified, or ghee, is fine on the no dairy day. if not, i'm stuck because i used it today.
renda

[itsjoyful]

YEA!!! i did it. very successful day altogether. did a little planning last nigh, and it made a world of difference today. starting to have those funky dreams again. i was in the ocean and a jelly fish was trying to get me. i threw my sweater on it and then stairs appeared. i climbed them to enter my GRADE SCHOOL (horror) reunion in process, dripping wet, and SMOKING. i need to hook up with my therapist again. this is killin' me.
anyway...

Calories Eaten Today
Total: 1394
Fat: 84 55%
Carbs: 36 7%
Fiber: 11 0%
Protein: 127 37%

foods eaten:

423.5 grams green beans, sauced in ghee
2 oz. chicken skins
2 cups broccoli
6 oz chicken breast, from roasted bird
2 cups romaine
1 cup extra lean ground beef
1 tbl. mayo
2 oz. tuna
1 sf jello!!

happy happy joy joy.
brenda
i ran 3 miles today and made some self discoveries, detailed in exercise journal.
went to another health food store looking for dry curd cottage cheese but to no avail. i'll have to start calling around.
can't wait for tomorrow. now i'm debating about a.m. coffee, i like not having the hassle.
till tomorrow, happy lcing
brenda

[Natrushka]

Am I losing my mind or did I see a change in your stats yesterday? 132.28 or something like that? Did you give in to the scale monster and then repent ;)

Freaky dreams are something many report when LCing..... they used to happen to me (had one yesterday in fact) I find now that I sleep the night through much more soundly though. Last nights was the first in a long time.

Nat

P.S. I found the dry crud, er curd, in the same place as the cottage cheese (it's shrink wrapped and it was from a NY deli), if that helps any.

[IslandGirl]

All our 'local' dairies make the dry curd and it is in with the other cottage cheese(s) in the dairy case in the regular grocery store... I THINK it might sometimes be called Baker's Cheese...

Hope this helps!

PS: the comment about the butter and the puppy above? That was actually addressed to Nat... and her Cat. :lol:

[doreen T]

I found huge list of sources, stores, brand names etc of dry curd cottage cheese in the US, Canada and Internationally .. check it out here .. http://www.scdiet.org/8resources/dcccsources.html.

hth,

Doreen

[doreen T]

Sorry to be clogging up yer project journal with a zillion posts ... but ....... dry crud isn't all that exciting, and not worth a major search effort, IMHO. Personally, I can't gag it down plain .. need to hide it in a recipe somehow.

The project guidelines do permit 1/2 cup lowfat ricotta or cottage cheese instead. I'm thinking I might go that route myself next week. More palatable, and easier to find at my usual grocery.

my 2¢

Doreen

[Natrushka]

Originally posted by IslandGirl
PS: the comment about the butter and the puppy above? That was actually addressed to Nat... and her Cat. :lol:

:D

Brenda should rename her Journal to the Dry Crud V2 Project.

N

[itsjoyful]

you're a funny girl!! :D nat and yes, you are losing you're mind. if i changed my stats, EVERYONE would be hearing (reading) about it.....thanks for the encouragement though.

i'm going to get the dry curd, and some ricotta and regular cottage cheese.

by no means are you clogging my journal. :) i feel so popular :) . now i know how i wanted to feel in high school. maybe we should have a sleep over and do eachother's nails :eek:

gee, having ya'll around..... who needs real (tangible, in your house) friends.
regards,
brenda

[doreen T]

..... who needs real (tangible, in your house) friends.
Ya ... no need to clean the house or do dishes, and no one to pick up after

I love the 'net :p

Doreen

[itsjoyful]

... yea, and i don't even have to worry about the dreaded ketosis halitosis. (poet & didn't know it)

11/28, wednesday, regular lc day, no structured activity. m & i skipped a bit, but other than than, laundry, dishes, you know the drill

Calories Eaten Today
Total: 1380
Fat: 84 56%
Carbs: 48 8%
Fiber: 21 0%
Protein: 122 36%

so far....
1 cup coffee w. cream
homemade flax o meal w. cream (had to gag it down. it was like some type of dough.)
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
curry chicken w/ cauliflower
4 oz. flank steak
1 cup broccolli
1 oz. chopped almonds
1 1/2 cup carbolite frozen yogurt.

dinner to follow, but not feeling too hungry. thinking about flank steak w/ spinach and a green salad.
having carbolite frozen yogurt for dessert. went and got it yesterday.
brenda

p.s. - little question..... on regular lc days are there any guidelines? i know i haven't seen any, but maybe i didn't look in the righ places.
thanks ;)

[doreen T]

p.s. - little question..... on regular lc days are there any guidelines? i know i haven't seen any, but maybe i didn't look in the righ places.Nope ... the only "rule" is that you follow whatever is your regular chosen low carb program. For most of us, I think that means a 3-day cheese and cream orgy :lol:

Doreen

[Natrushka]

Originally posted by itsjoyful
maybe we should have a sleep over and do eachother's nails :eek:

Yah had to say 'nails' huh? :cry: Nat has no nails as of today; She cut them all down. Have an appointment on Friday for gel tips. This new ring is gonna look good for my Xmas parties this month, dammit!! :)

N

[itsjoyful]

Thursday, 11/29
week 1, day 7
activities: strength training and 2 hours at union square macy's. what a sale they are having.
thoughts: a bit distressed today. not sure why, may be mom visiting. ok, it is. makes me over sensitive and underdog protective. make sense?
Calories Eaten Today
Total: 1594
Fat: 117 68%
Carbs: 28 5%
Fiber: 8 0% = 20 ECC
Protein: 106 27%
3 scrambled eggs w/ cheese
3 slices fresh bacon - delish
1/4 cup shredded cheese
2 c. lettuce
1 tbl. vinaigrette
5 oz. Parmesan crusted chicken
32 g. macadamia nuts.


forgot i wanted to add my supplement/ meds so ya'll to give me your 2cents. i would really appreciate any comments.
50 mg. spironolactone (for acne)
600 mg. milk thistle
vit a....10,000iu
c...125mg
d...400iu
e...75iu
k...50mcg
b1...9mg
b2...10mg
niacin...30mg
b6...10mg
folate...800mcg
b12...30mcg
biotin...300mcg
pantothenic acid...25mg
calcium...25mg
iron...18mg
phosphorus...5mg
iodine...27mcg
magnesium...25mg
zinc...8mg
selenium...100mcg
copper...100mcg
manganese...3mg
chromium...100mcg
molybedenum...10mcg
potassium...5mg
wheat grass....25mg
cinnamon...25mg
kelp...25mg
peony...46mg
rasberry leaf...30mg
stinging nettle...30mg
peppermint...16mg
chamomile...16mg
mexican sasparilla...14 mg
....................that's all in 3 "every woman' multi.
vit. c...51mg
vit d3...200 iu
vit k1...2500mcg
calcium (mcha)...300mg
calcium (citrate/malate)...300mg
magnesium...60mg
zinc...15mg
copper...1.25mg
manganese...15mg
boron...1mg
ipriflavone...250mg
horsetale extract...150mg
..................that's another one
glutamine.............2grams
chromium picolinate....600mcg
iron...30mg
zinc....30mg
calcium...400mg
phosphorus...300mg
magnesium....200mg
manganese....40mg
potassium....99mg
copper...3mg
iodine.....225mcg
chromium...200mcg
...............that's another one
thiamin....100mg
rivoflavin.....100mg
niacin...100mg
v. b6....100mg
folic acid...400mcg
b12 pantothenic acid...100mg
.............and that's another.
just typing them all in is not only exahusting, but revealing. i'm duplicating alot. well, let me know what you think.
oh yea....
hey nat- sorry about the nail thing. i'll do your hair ;) instead.
doreen- i gave myself a cream cheese bath (i'm kidding) for some reason, i'm not going overboard like i thought i would. go figure ;)
regards,
bren

[itsjoyful]

11/30
week 2, day 1, reg. lc
totals:
calories: 1871
Fat: 126 62%
Carbs: 30 5%
Fiber: 6 0%
Protein: 149 33%

ate:
12 ozCoffee
1.5 oz heavy whipping cream
4 slices Bacon,
3 Egg, whole, cooked, scrambled
1 tsp. Butter,
1/4 cup mex shredded cheese
6 oz.Chicken, breast, with or without bone, fried, no coating, skin not eaten
1.5 cups Stewed chicken with tomato-based sauce, Mexican style
2 oz Cheese, Monterey
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup Guacamole, NFS
2 cups Lettuce, cos or romaine, raw
18 nuts Cashew nuts, roasted

pretty good day, cold and rainy, though.

activity: 45 min. on efx machine. burned 11.5 cal. per min. AWESOME!!! my glutes are still a little sore.

thoughts: too many to put in writing.


Saturday, 12/1
week 2, day 2, stillman day.

Calories Eaten Today
source grams %total
Total: 951
Fat: 24 24
Carbs: 5 2%
Fiber: 0 0%
Protein: 168 74%

9.5 oz chicken breast, broiled.
8 oz. better 'n eggs, scrambles w/ 1/2 tsp. soy sauce. still not great texture
7 oz. filet mignon. this was the bomb.
1 snack size s/f jello.

went out to eat w/ mom for dinner. chose a steak house that serves everything a la carte, so all i had was meat. it was hard not having salad, but i'm proud of myself for sticking to it. bf thinks i'm nuts, but sooooo very supportive.

no activity, rained allllllllllllllllll day.

12/2
week 2, day 3, calorie boost.
thoughts first: dang was i ever hungry all day!

Calories Eaten Today
grams %total
Total: 1771
Fat: 128 66
Carbs: 35 7%
Fiber: 7 0%
Protein: 119 27%

13.2%age to weight. now we're talking. there was not a time today that i felt satisfied. grazed all day, and wanted more. the pastrami and corned beef were great. will have to get more.


1 tbl total ghee
1 can (483grams) green beans
6 ounces lean ground beef
6 thin slices pastrami
6 ouncescorned beef
2 med. pickle, dill
1 cup spinach, cooked
2 eggs, scrambled
1 ounce bacon
1.5 cupslettuce
1 tsp. caesar dressing

activities: strength training and christmas shopping (yes, this is an activity!!)

thoughts: got the girls back tonight, now i have my thoughts in order. i really do miss them when they are at their dads. when we were driving home, we were going down this street in not a great, but not scary neighaborhood. 4 punks come walking around a corner, and threw a rock at my mini-van. it got me so mad, i backed up, put my flashers on and rolled down the window. they were all shocked. asked them what happened, and they played dumb. so i called 911, and slowly followed them until the police came. they ran off like chickens.

i am not going to get bullied anymore. this was maybe a bit over the top, but everyday i do my best to do right by others, be nice, and treat others like i want to be treated. if i can help someone, i do. if i need help, or advice, i ask. i just don't want to not stick up for myself anymore. there's no "welcome" tatooed across my forehead.

thanks for letting me rant. ready for stillman tomorrow.

oh yea, i am definately noticing a difference in my appearance. i am losing, but will NOT check till this is over. if i lose 4 pounds it will have been worth it..... even if i don't lose any, this project has proven to me how much willpower i have.

till tomorrow,
brenda

[itsjoyful]

12/3, Monday
week 2, day 4 stillman


Calories Eaten Today
source grams cals %total
Total: 1074
Fat: 23 21%
Carbs: 2 1%
Fiber: 0 0%
Protein: 202 79%

Food Name Servings Serving Size Cals Fat Carb Prot
5 oz. Turkey, light meat, cooked, skin not eaten
5 oz. Chicken, breast, with or without bone, broiled, skin not
2 turkey burgers
8 oz. chicken breast from roasted chicken, skin not eaten.


activities: ran on treadmill, 3. something miles
thoughts: none really, just really not loving stillman days.




12/4, tuesday
week 2, day 5 calorie boost

Calories Eaten Today
source grams total
Total: 1368
Fat: 80 54%
Carbs: 45 10%
Fiber: 12 0%
Protein: 121 36%

ate:
BETTER'N EGGS, 1/4 cup
Egg, 2
Ghee, clarified butter, 1 teaspoon
Bacon, 2 thin slices
Ground beef, extra lean, cooked 6 ounces
green beans 432 grams
Broccoli 2 cups
tuna, 6 oz
curry seasoning trace
Cashew nuts, 1/2 ounce
mayo 1 tablespoon
Celery, raw 2 med. stalks
Almonds 1/2 ounce

activity: rollerbladed for 2.5 miles. it's so cold my nose was frozen when we got home. it did help improve my mood, though. i just seem to be kinda angry lately. i hate it when i get like this.

thoughts: none really, just wondering what happened to judi and doreen. missing 'em.
brenda

p.s. - i'm going to dairy and nut out today, so consider yourselves forewarned. ;)

[itsjoyful]

this is not a posting for the weak in the gut!!! i warn you, look away now, it's just not safe.

that being said, here goes......

Wednesday, December 5
week 2, day 6 reg (yea, right) lc day

Calories Eaten Today
source grams %total
Total: 2331
Fat: 181 72%
Carbs: 56 8%
Fiber: 11 0%
Protein: 114 20%
:eek: :eek: :eek:
...it gets worse, here's what i ate:

2 oz. cashews
3 oz. almonds
pure de-lite chocolate bar
1 cup carbolite frozen yogurt
1 oz. cheddar cheese chips
3 scrambled eggs in butter
1/4 c. cheese
16 oz. coffee w. 2 oz. cream
small salad w/ tsp. dressing
about 6 green beans
5 oz. filet mignon.

wow. went to bed very full and very guilty. i ate the not so good stuff because i could, not because i was really that hungry. i couldn't eat h/b eggs, chicken, and green veggies because i am just sick of them.
i really, really like doing this project, don't get me wrong. i love the challenge. i just have a hard time, hence, the challenge.
funny thing, the candy bar wasn't all that satisfying.

activity: 10 min (1 mile) on efx machine, then regular strength training.

i think i was a bit low on the water intake. i know i had 48 oz., but i think that was it. maybe why i ate so much.
regards,
brenda

[itsjoyful]

12/6
thursday, week 2, day 7 regular lc day
Calories Eaten Today
source cals total
Total: 1630
Fat: 126 70
Carbs: 45 8% -12= 33ecc
Fiber: 12 0%
Protein: 87 22%
intake:

10 oz. coffee w/ cream and stevia
1 oz. cheddar cheese chips
Egg, whole, cooked, hard-boiled
6 oz. Chicken, breast,
1 serving sf chocolate pudding
kalamata olives
lettuce
cucember
1 oz Cheese, Blue or
1 tsp Butter, NFS
10 Almonds,
10 Cashew nuts
20 macadamia nuts

activities: ran on treadmill, 30 min.
thoughts: none really

[itsjoyful]

friday, 12/7,
week 3, day 1, regular lc

totals:
Calories Eaten Today
source grams cals %total
Total: 2018
Fat: 161 75%
Carbs: 50 7%
Fiber: 16 0%
Protein: 84 18%

intake:

this is so sad....

carbolite carmel pecan clusters
16 oz coffee w/ cream & stevia
flax-o-meal w/ cram, splenda & butter (delish)
2 cheesburger patties, no bun
small salad w/ 1 tbl. dressing
3 oz. cheese
de-lite bar (chocolate)
endulge bar (chocolate)
hot dog
cashews

i so overdid the a/s today. major cravings. thinking was skewed and i don't like it. i just said to myself that since i can't have it for 4 days, i'll eat it all now. so stupid.

activities: ice skating with the girls.

[itsjoyful]

Saturday, dec. 8.
week 3, day 2 stillman

Calories Eaten Today

source grams %total
Total: 526
Fat: 15
Carbs: 4 3%
Fiber: 0 0%
Protein: 88 70%

8 ounces of turkey breast
4 egg whites
1 egg yolk
1 s/f jello

major stomach ache today. wonder why? stayed in bed all day. only activity was walking to the loo. so wanted to quit the project. the nuts were calling my name and i really wanted cookies. what do i have to say now? THANK GOD for the project. it's teaching me so much

[itsjoyful]

Sunday, dec. 9
week 3, day 3, calorie boost day

Calories Eaten Today
source grams cals %total
Total: 1458
Fat: 101 63%
Carbs: 40 8% - 10g fiber=30 ecc
Fiber: 10 0%
Protein: 102 28%

1 can green beans in
2 pieces bacon
2 artichoke bottoms w/
tuna and mayo
6 oz. corned beef
1 cup broccolli w/ 1 tsp. ghee
1 cup lettuce w/ 1 tsp. olive oil
kalamata olives
1 oz. pot roast
1 oz. macadema nuts.

thoughts: happy to be out of bed. feeling fat and bloated. got much needed cleaning done.

activities: strength training. quite a workout.

[itsjoyful]

Monday, 12/9
week 3, day 4 stillman

totals
Calories Eaten Today
source grams cals %total
Total: 681
Fat: 15 21%
Carbs: 0 0%
Fiber: 0 0%
Protein: 128 79%

ate: chicken breast, roasted.
lots of water

thoughts: had stomach ache today, and could not keep my eyes open. melissa sat in bed with me while i slept and she watched cartoons.
what a mom, eh?
made it to costco to stock up on much needed items. didn't get hungry today, 'till i smelt their bakery. then i came home and ate some chicken and nibbled on it till now, which is bed time.

activities: nap, shopping, reading. feeling GUILTY for not running today. hopefully i'll get on it tomorrow.
regards,
brenda

[itsjoyful]

i have a case of the flu, and cannot eat today. i think i am going to stop the project here. when i get the energy back, i will post results.
just a thought..... i joined this project in hopes of getting together with a motivated "team" working towards a common goal, and supporting each other throughout. i have not found that to be true. i'm really not motivated in this forum to continue.
that's all for now, wishing you all the best
regards,
brenda

[Natrushka]

Brenda, I hope you're feeling better. I do hope the talk of discontinuing was the virus talking. I'll miss you if you leave! I stopped by to wish you a happy birthday. Take care of yourself and enjoy the day. If you're still feeling sick there's nothing that says you can't postpone celebrations to a "rain day" :)

:bday:

Nat

[itsjoyful]

not sure what is going on with me. the virus is pretty much gone, except for residual tiredness. appetite is so/so, but definitely better. season, b-day, irs audit and lack of stimuli seem to be getting the best of me.
thank you so much for the birthday wishes. 35 seems to be hitting me pretty hard. having a bf 14 yrs. older helps though, i'll always be a young chick to him!
the girls are taking me out after school, then another quite evening at home.
think i'll take up my regular journal going forward....

thanks again, it really means a lot.
regards,
bren

[Natrushka]

Sounds like lack of sunlight blahs, Brenda. But then you're in sunny CA arent you? There goes that theory ;)

35? I didnt notice that part. I think 35 is a great age (for obvious reasons) I was thinking today while waiting for a cab that soon I'll be in the best shape of my life and I'm doing it at 35. I used to think I was in shape, now I *know* it.

Hang in there, one day at a time and enjoy the day.

Nat

[doreen T]

I made a copy of your project thread and merged it in with your regular Bootcamp journal in the H to K section. (just so folks don't think it disappeared :eek: )

Shortened daylight hours has a significant effect on mood and energy levels .. and if you look at a map, northern California is the same latitude as southern Ontario and New York. It's hard to have "get up and go" when you feel like it "got up and went".

Hope your birthday was wonderful and .... joyful :D

Doreen