Marketing and Children...

Cassie has really connected with a current commerical on TV. So much so, when she hears the music, she smiles at me. In fact, she identifies with the commercial so strongly, she made me take one of her stuffed animals on my current trip to Salt Lake City.



You see, Cassie has made me take Snowflake with me. Snowflake is her white poodle Webkin. I've been taking pictures of Snowflake in my hotel room sleeping, pictures of Snowflake working at my laptop, pictures of the mountains taken by Snowflake, and tomorrow I plan to have Snowlake drive my rental PT Cruiser for me. I don't even like poodles, and I'm not sure if Cassie is trying to tell me I travel too much.

At the end of the day, however. She's having fun with it - and so am I. I'm just amazed at how marketing and advertising can effect even unintended audiences.

SL

Littlest Lessard - Week 7 Results

If I didn't have a problem with food or more specifically eating, I wouldn't be in this stupid competition. I'd probably be making fun of Michele and Marc for doing it while I dressed in crazy shirts (all hip-like, just like my buddy Bob - whom I make fun of for dressing that way). That being said, I had a difficult week. Besides not being disciplined with food (that damn Wingstop finally opened and is litterally 60 seconds from the house - I had it twice last week), I haven't been feeling well (that time of year in North Texas) so I haven't been working out.

No excuses. This week, I lost the battle of the bulge. But, the war isn't over. I've been relatively disciplined for the last couple of days, and went to the gym today (and worked out hard). So - although Marc has separated himself a little bit, this ain't over! Not by a longshot. And, it will be interesting to see what Marc does next week as his trial gym membership ends on Wednesday.

Marc continues his amazing string of consistency. He hasn't had a bad week yet, and that is just plain amazing...He lost an additional 3.0 pounds (0.9%) for a 7 week total of 55.0 (13.7% lost). He's got a seemingly insurmountable lead, but who knows. Anything can happen. Perhaps they'll open a Wingstop near his house.

Michele had a good week in that she didn't gain. She didn't lose, either, so compared to my week she did pretty good. Remaining at 17.0 pounds lost (7.2%) she is firmly entrenched in third and rooting for Marc all the way.

Then there is me...this weeks big loser (and I don't mean that in a good way). I GAINED 4 pounds this week (-1.5%). That puts me at a total of 32.0 pounds lost (10.3%). Although I am not throwing in the towel, I did vote for Marc to win in this week's poll. We'll see, I still think he's due for a week like mine.

SL

Littlest Lessard - Week 6 Results

The Lessard's have hit the century mark. Can you believe there is 105 pounds less Lessard on the face of the earth? Marc has dropped half of that total, reaching an amazing 50+ pounds lost this week - but it wasn't enough to take the week. In fact, in a stunning turn of events, Marc is in LAST place this week. His slide continues.

Taking top honors for the second week in a row is ME with a loss of 8.0 pounds (2.8%). That pulls my total loss to 36 pounds (11.6%) closing that gap between myself and our overall leader. Apparently Godiva chocolate gnosh doesn't weigh as much as I feared.

Michele takes second place this week with a strong 5 pound (2.2%) loss in a good reversal from last week. Her overall loss is 17 pounds (7.2%). She attributes her loss to frantic typing used by sending e-cards.

Marc is still losing good weight, and dropped another 4.8 pounds (1.4%). He continues to be our overall leader with an amazing 52.0 pounds lost (13.0% overall). Apparently, he is only now eating 40 servings of vegetables. The Agricultural Society of Southern States (ASSeS) is boycotting him.

At this point, the pounds are still dropping and it's anyone's competition.

SL

I am a New Yorker

Thanks for sharing, Aunt Carole. Like there's a chance I forget.

I am a New Yorker

I am a New Yorker

I do not live in the five boroughs or on the Island or upstate I may live hundreds or thousands of miles away Or I may live just over the GW Bridge but I am a New Yorker

I am a New Yorker

Whatever took me out of New York: Business, family or hating the cold did not take New York out of me. My accent may have faded and my pace may have slowed But I am a New Yorker

I am a New Yorker

I was raised on Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and Rockefeller Plaza, The Yankees or the Met's (Giants or Dodgers) Jones Beach, Rye Beach, Rockaway Beach or one of the beaches on the sound I know that "THE END" means Montauk. Because I am a New Yorker

I am a New Yorker

When I go on vacation, I never look up Skyscrapers are something I take for granted The Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty are part of me Taxis and noise and subways and "get outa heah" don't rattle me Because I am a New Yorker

I am a New Yorker

I was raised on cultural diversity before it was politically correct I eat Greek food and Italian food, Jewish and Middle Eastern food and Chinese food Because they are all American food to me. My relatives got to this country via Ellis Island and chose to stay They were New Yorkers

People who have never been to New York have misunderstood me My friends and family work in the industries, professions and businesses that benefit all Americans My firefighters died trying to save New Yorkers and non-New Yorkers They died trying to save Americans and non-Americans Because they were New Yorkers.

I am a New Yorker I feel the pain of my fellow New Yorkers I mourn the loss of my beautiful city I feel and dread that New York will never be the same But then I remember: I am a New Yorker And New Yorkers have: Tenacity, strength and courage way above the norm Compassion and caring for our fellow citizens Love and pride in our city, in our state, in our country Intelligence, experience and education par excellence Ability, dedication and energy above and beyond Faith--no matter what religion we practice Terrorists hit America in its heart But America's heart still beats strong Demolish the steel in our buildings, but it doesn't touch the steel in our souls Hit us in the pocketbook; but we'll parlay what we have left into a fortune. End innocent lives leaving widows and orphans, but we'll take care of them Because they are New Yorkers Wherever we live, whatever we do, whoever we are. There are New Yorkers in every state and every city of this nation We will not abandon our city. We will not abandon our brothers and sisters. We will not abandon the beauty, creativity and diversity that New York represents Because we are New Yorkers. And we are proud to be New Yorkers

REMEMBER THE WTC Author - Vincent Pasquale, Maspeth, NY

SL

Littlest Lessard - Week 5 Results

Thanks to Michele and Marc for agreeing to allow me to weigh in a day late this week. The hotel I was staying at in California this week did not have a scale, so I wanted to get home to use the scale at the gym.

Too bad for them that they did...

As promised, I've taken my first week. I lost 6.0 lbs this week for a weekly percentage loss of 2.1%. My totals are 28 pounds (9.0%) good enough for second place overall. I had hoped for a double digit week, but that large piece of Tiramasu really did me in. It was worth every delectable bite.

I did reach an important milestone for me though - I've made it to a quarter of my total weight loss goal.

Marc lost another 6.6 pounds (1.8%) for a leading 47.2 total pounds (11.8%).

Michele had a difficult week, gaining 3.0 pounds (-3.0%), but she's still got total weight loss of 12.0 pounds (5.1%)

I hear Marc shaking as he knows I've begun to close the gap and his monster advantage of having all that weight to play with is gone. He'll either crumble and fold this week like a stale chocolate chip cookie, or he'll redouble his efforts and lose 10,000 calories in the gym.

I vote cookie.

SL

YES - Johan!

A scream rung out throughout the house. I would have been concerned yet for the fact that it came from my mouth - AND, it was a good scream.

I saw on the news that the Mets just landed Johan Santana in a blockbuster trade with the Minnesota Twins. Johan Santana is considered one of the best pitchers in baseball, and has two Cy Young awards to prove it. The trade moves the Mets from a team with a great lineup who needed pitching to perhaps the best team in the National league with three 15 game winning pitchers. According to MLB.com, "the Mets joined hands with Santana. Deal done. Season saved. Future brightened. General manager at ease. Brilliant pitcher guaranteed $137.5 million, able to purchase Easy Street and put houses and hotels on it."

This is huge for Mets fans, especially after the last couple of years we've suffered through. Two years ago they were a game away from the World Series. Last year, they suffered the worst collapse in baseball losing a 7-game lead with 17 left to play. Interestingly enough, this trade almost collapsed, as well. They had a 72 hour deadline to get a deal done with Santana, and after the 72 hours had expired, they requested and received a two hour extension. Within 15 minutes of that extension, they had the deal done.

Whew! No second collapse.

SL